Zitkála-Šá (1876-1938), a member of the Yankton Dakota Sioux, was a poet, musician, librettist, short-story writer, essayist, activist, and the co-creator, with William F. Hanson, of The Sun Dance Opera, an opera based on the Lakota Sun Dance ceremony. “Iris of Life” was originally published in 1898. This recording was released on Nov. 5, 2022, by the Academy of American Poets.
"This monumental album connects experimental music and traditional powwow in previously unheard ways, acting as a guided tour de force, taking listeners through the many different musical styles with roots (still being discovered) in Native American music. From psychedelic punk to spiritual jazz, from minimalism to electronic music," they say. The group includes ambient music pioneer Laraaji, Thor Harris and Christopher Pravdica of Swans, former DNA drummer Ikue Mori, trumpet player jaimie branch, and guitarist/producer Yonatan Gat.
