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Robert Seven-Crows was
born in Lachine Quebec, departure site of the great Voyageur canoes.
His childhood was shared between Gaspé and Lachine. Very young
he sang in the Mariste Brothers choir, an experience that marked him,
‘'Surrounded by thirty voices, I could feel the power of
harmony.''
In high
school, with the Jesuits, he was involved in musical theater as a
singer/actor and musician. He also took his first steps on stage in
bands. At Loyola College in Montreal he studied harmony and composition
with Thomas Legrady and was accepted as a private pupil by Frank Mella,
one of Stan Kenton's arraingers.
At
17, Robert became one of the musical directors of « A
package of care», a sixty voice choir accompanied by a 12 pieces
ensemble. He was a vocal and musical arrainger. With this group, he
recorded 33 rpm vinyl record on which his first song,
« Alone », is recorded.
It
is with« ‘Harrison Tab and the body of
soul » that he discovered the universe of Motown Rhythm and
Blues. In this 14 pieces band he played bass guitar and trombone.
He also sang on many
« jingles » for radio.
He was the host of Solstice 2003, a
musical and storytelling event on APTN and CBC television.
Also
in 2003, he sang traditional songs, with the drum, at Place des Arts in
Montreal. He was the invited guest of the Montreal Metropolitan
Orchestra within the « Presence Autochtone » festival.
In 2004 he was the artist/host for the
closing show of the « 11th International Literature
Festival » at the Loin d'Or in Montreal .
In 2005 he recorded, with the precious
help of Erik West-Millette and Stacy LeGallee, a CD of traditional
songs.
In
2007 he co-produced, with Erik West-Millette, his first solo CD
entitled, « Native Soul ». Once again Stacy
LeGallee engineered the sound.
December 2007, he was the spokes person
for « Joyeux December » in Montreal .
Since
2006 he has toured as storyteller and singer in Gaetan Gingras' First
Nations contemporary dance pieces,
« Manitowapan » and « Stories my
father told me ».
Robert
Seven-Crows has worked with First Nations men in the Canadian and
Quebec prison systems as a traditional resource person. For many years
the « Kumik Elders Lodge », at Indian and
northern affairs Canada , has asked Robert to be present as an elder.
With his partner, Joan Pawnee, he has worked with youth in social
reinsertion for the Ministry of youth, sports and associative living in
France .
He is a
singer/songwriter, musician, an award winning storyteller and for many
years he has participated in festivals in Quebec, Canada, Europe,
Lebanon, England, the USA, Africa and New Caledonia.
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