R. Carlos Nakai Quartet

Mixing original compositions with inspired improvisations, the R. Carlos Nakai Quartet (RCNQ) features R. Carlos Nakai on Native American flutes, concert flute, trumpet and voice; Will Clipman on drums, pan-global percussion and voice; AmoChip Dabney on saxophones, keyboards and voice; and Johnny Walker on bass and voice.

The music of RCNQ spans the sonic spectrum from quietly contemplative to highly combustible and from soothingly meditative to irresistibly danceable, always delivered with an impeccable blend of rhythm, melody and harmony and a positive vibration.

Of Navajo-Ute heritage, R. Carlos Nakai is universally recognized as the world’s foremost composer and performer of the Native American Flute. Renowned for his solo and symphonic work, Nakai has also devoted a substantial portion of his career to cross-cultural, multi-genre collaboration.

His flowing flute melodies are enhanced by the restlessly creative imagination of saxophonist-keyboardist Dabney and anchored by the nimble rhythms of ethno-world drummer Clipman and the deep grooves of bassist Walker. Irresistible global-ethnic-fusion grooves propel the signature sound of Nakai’s Native American flute into newly explored sonic territory.