Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band

"It is a rarity to see a single Indigenous jazz musician nowadays, let alone sixteen, on stage." — JKIBB band statement

The Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band (JKIBB) performs pieces by under-appreciated predecessors in jazz, like Mildred Bailey (Coeur d'Alene) and Jim Pepper (Kaw/Mvskoke), alongside works by contemporary Indigenous composers. Led by Julia Keefe (Nez Perce) with co-founder Delbert Anderson (Diné), the band features a who's who of Indigenous bandleaders and brings charisma, passion and purpose to every stage.

After federal boarding-school policies removed Indigenous children from their homes, small ensembles and big bands flourished on reservations across the U.S. and Canada. Musicians like Russell "Big Chief" Moore, Mildred Bailey, Oscar Pettiford and Jim Pepper rose to fame through jazz, but were never duly credited as Indigenous visionaries. JKIBB carries that legacy forward with original works inspired by the songs and rhythms of Native heritage.

The band premiered at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in May 2022, with support from Jazz Road, a national initiative of South Arts. It has since headlined the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center.