The Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band takes the stage at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College on Wednesday, March 4 at 7:30pm offering an unforgettable evening that celebrates and reclaims the Indigenous roots of jazz.
Led by acclaimed vocalist Julia Keefe (Nez Perce), the ensemble is an innovative collective of Native and Indigenous jazz musicians representing communities across Indian Country. Through artistry, scholarship, and bold musical vision, the band highlights a deep yet often overlooked lineage within America’s most celebrated art form.
The program features work by trailblazing Indigenous jazz pioneers such as Mildred Bailey (Coeur d’Alene) and Jim Pepper (Kaw/Mvskoke), alongside original compositions and music by contemporary Indigenous composers. Co-founder Delbert Anderson (Diné) and Keefe create new works inspired by traditional songs and rhythms, re-imagined through the expansive language of jazz. With as many as sixteen Indigenous musicians on stage, each performance becomes both a celebration and a reclamation —honoring the past while advancing the future of the art form.
Since premiering at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in 2022, the ensemble has earned national recognition for expanding and challenging perceptions of jazz as a “uniquely American” genre. The band has appeared at major events, including the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center. It continues to garner acclaim for its powerful storytelling, musical excellence, and cultural impact.
The March 4 performance in Durango promises an evening of vibrant improvisation, rich history, and visionary artistry, inviting audiences to experience jazz through a broader, more inclusive lens.
Tickets are available through the Community Concert Hall box office and website at durangoconcerts.com. Tickets are $50, $40, & $30. Purchase tickets for all Community Concert Hall events exclusively at DurangoConcerts.com to ensure authenticity and fair pricing. Beware of third-party resellers, as they may overcharge or sell invalid tickets. For assistance, contact the Community Concert Hall Box Office, Monday through Friday, 12:00–5:00pm, at 970-247-7657.
The Community Concert Hall is a not-for-profit, multi-use performance venue located on the campus of Fort Lewis College. Its ability to bring a diverse spectrum of shows to Southwest Colorado is made possible through a partnership with the college, a state-supported, independent institution of higher education, and financial and in-kind contributions from generous community members.