Native Circle Performers
Eagle & Hawk with Special Guest Ray 'CoCo' Stevenson
One listen to Eagle & Hawk’s distinctive sound and you’ll be hooked. By blending inspired vision with musical talent, Eagle & Hawk have created a progressive style of ‘rock’ steeped in roots, fusion, and solid songwriting that continues to earn fans – and loads of fanfare – worldwide.
Eagle & Hawk surged to new heights this past year as they performed their first ever symphony show at special invitation from the world-renowned Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. This remarkable and ambitious band, who is always willing to submerge themselves fully into their collective passion – making music, will also be performing at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.
In 2009 alone, Eagle & Hawk have won 7 awards including: Best Group, Best Rock Album, Best Producer/Engineer for Sirensong at the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards, Best Rock Album for Sirensong at the Native American Music Awards, Best Aboriginal Recording at the Western Canadian Music Awards, and Best Alternative Rock, Best Classical Rock at the Milwaukee Indian Summer Festival & Music Awards.
Eagle & Hawk’s music takes the lead in defining the genre of contemporary Indigenous music. Envisioning a sound that fused modern rock with traditional elements, guitarist and bandleader Vince Fontaine founded Eagle & Hawk in 1994. The journey took the band from Winnipeg, Manitoba, to stages in European capitals where they blasted onto the scene with a powerful live show. While their effervescent performances won over international and national audiences, their talent and determination quietly garnered respect from fans and critics alike.
Eagle & Hawk’s engaging style also impressed the music industry. Their fourth album On and On won a 2002 JUNO Award in the category of Best Music of Aboriginal Canada, while their fifth and sixth albums Mother Earth and Life Is... earned JUNO nominations in 2004 and 2006. Collectively, these two albums captured numerous accolades including a Native American Music Award, four Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, three Indian Summer Music Awards, and two Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards. To date, the band has received over three dozen nominations and wins at awards ceremonies across North America.
Determined to match the success of their previous multi-award winning releases, Eagle & Hawk dug deep to write and record their latest album. The 2008 release of Sirensong offers up great catchy hooks, thoughtful lyrics, and good-old fashioned human stories.
Eagle & Hawk are best known for live shows that are energizing, interactive, and simply irresistible. The front man on stage is lead vocalist Jay Bodner, whose rich voice and charm has captivated audiences from coast to coast in Canada, across Europe, and throughout the United States. Since joining the band in 1998, Bodner has also helped define Eagle & Hawk’s unique sound through his songwriting efforts.
Rounding out the band are drummer Marty Chapman, bass player Lawrence “Spatch” Mulhall and Jaylene Johnson aka "White Dove" on keys. Featured performers include traditional singer Ray “Coco” Stevenson, and multi-style traditional dancer Buffy Handel, who, together, carry the visual and rhythmic beauty of First Nations culture and expression.
To date, Eagle & Hawk have toured Europe more than a dozen times, and entertained countless audiences across North America. The band has performed at many annual events including the Indian Summer Festival, Minnesota State Fair, and Canada Day in Ottawa, to name a few, as well as numerous TV appearances.
 Jay Bodner Lead Vocals/Acoustic guitar |
 Vince Fontaine Electric Guitar/Vocals |
 Lawrence 'Spatch' Mulhall Bass Guitar/Vocals |
|---|---|---|
 Marty Chapman Drums |
 Special Guest Ray 'Coco' Stevenson Traditional Vocals/Hand Drum |
Walking Wolf Hand-Drum Workshop
My spirit name is Walking Wolf and my English name is Ray Stevenson otherwise known as Co-Co. I've been blessed by the drum that has taken me away from a life full of drugs and alcohol. I come from a Cree and Ojibway background. It was the drum that changed my life. Already an adult, not growing up going to ceremonies or pow-wow's, I went to my first sweat. After feeling the power of the songs that were sung in the sweat lodge, I knew that is what I wanted to do and that is how I started singing. In one year, I went from not knowing how to sing to making my own songs and singing with one of the best drum groups of the time. Since then, I've been lucky enough to travel the world with my drum, performing with the band Eagle and Hawk and collaborating with other artists such as Kimberly Dawn, and Little Hawk. I feel that the power of the drum has the ability to change lives and put them on the right path of life. It worked for me. So now I use the drum to help youth get on the right path.
Based in Winnipeg, Ray “Co-Co” Stevenson takes his performances to audiences across North America and has even performed in Italy with the Walking Wolf Dancers and Singers. His spirit name is Walking Wolf. He is committed to promoting the cultural identity of aboriginal peoples, and works to bridge the gaps between ethnic communities by showcasing the amazing talents of their culture.
Placing great importance on tradition and the next generation of aboriginal singers and dancers, Ray has always been active sharing his knowledge with others. He began, and continues to operate, a Pow-Wow club for inner city children where they gather weekly to teach and share.
He teaches workshops on the rich tradition of the Indigenous hand-drum, sharing stories of nature which include the butterfly, the eagle, the moon, the snake, and many more, and the meanings behind them.
Ray continues to build on past works and will remain committed to the music and dance, which play such a great role in his life. For all that have shared in his soulful and spirited performances we can only hope that his special creative bond remains and flourishes for years to come.
The link below showcases “Co-Co” singing with Eagle and Hawk in collaboration with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra when they performed at the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards in 2009. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAa3G55zsFQ&feature=related
AWARDS & NOMINATIONS
2008 - Album of the Year - Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards - nomination
2008 - Best Group - Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards - nomination
2008 - Best Rock Album - Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards - nomination
2008 - Best Song / Single - Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards - nomination
2008 - Best Songwriter - Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards - nomination
2008 - Aboriginal Entertainer of the Year - Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards -winner
2008 - Best Duo or Group - Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards -winner
2008 - Best Rock CD - Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards -winner
2008 - Best Songwriter - Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards -winner
2008 - Single of the Year - Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards - nomination
2008 - Best Group - Native American Music Awards - nomination
2008 - Best Songwriter - Native American Music Awards - nomination
2008 - Best Classic Rock - Indian Summer Music Awards - nomination
2008 - Best Alternative Rock - Indian Summer Music Awards - nomination
2007 - Aboriginal Entertainer of the Year - Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards – nomination
2007 - Single of the Year - Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards – nomination
2007 - Best Producer/Engineer - Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards – nomination
2007 - Best Rock Album - Native American Music Awards – nomination
2006 - Best Group or Duo - Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards - winner
2006 - Best Rock Album - Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards – nomination
2006 - Best Album of the Year - Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards – nomination
2006 - Best Producer/Engineer - Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards – nomination
2006 - Best Aboriginal Recording - Western Canadian Music Awards – nomination
2006 - Best Rock CD - Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards – winner
2006 - Best Duo/Group - Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards – winner
2006 - Single of the Year - Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards – nomination
2006 - Best Producer/Engineer - Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards – nomination
2006 - Best Alternative Rock - Indian Summer Music Awards – winner
2006 - Best Classic Rock - Indian Summer Music Awards – winner
2006 - Best Contemporary Instrumental - Indian Summer Music Awards – nomination
2006 - Best Rock/Pop Album - Native American Music Awards – winner
2006 - Best Song/Single - Native American Music Awards – nomination
2006 - Best Music of Aboriginal Canada – JUNO Awards – nomination
2005 - Best Song - Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards – nomination
2005 - Best Rock Album - Indian Summer Music Awards – winner
2004 - Best Rock Album - Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards – winner
2004 - Best Song - Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards – winner
2004 - Best Songwriter - Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards – winner
2004 - Best Rock Album - Indian Summer Music Awards – winner
2004 - Best Music of Aboriginal Canada – JUNO Awards – nomination
2004 - Best Aboriginal Recording – Western Canadian Music Awards – nomination
2003 - Best Pop/Rock Album - Native American Music Awards – nomination
2003 - Best Song - Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards – nomination
2002 - Best Music of Aboriginal Canada – JUNO Awards – winner
2001 - Best Rock Album - Native American Music Awards – nomination
2000 - Best Group - Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards – nomination
2000 - Best Aboriginal Recording - Prairie Music Awards – nomination
1999 - Best Rock Album - Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards – winner
1999 - Best Aboriginal Recording – Prairie Music Awards – nomination
1999 - Best Group - Native American Music Awards – nomination
DISCOGRAPHY
The Great Unknown (2009)
Sirensong (2008)
Red Road Stories (2007 – live)
Life Is... (2005)
Mother Earth (2004)
On and On (2001)
Eagle & Hawk (2000)
Indian City (1999)
The Dream (1997)