Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie facts for kids

Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie is a talented Canadian musician. He is known for his unique blend of traditional Indigenous music with modern sounds. His first album, Round Dance & Beats (Powwow), was very successful. It was nominated for a Juno Award for Indigenous Music Album of the Year in 2017. It also received a nomination for Best Hand Drum Album at the 2017 Indigenous Music Awards.

About Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie

Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie was born in 1984. He has a rich family background. His ancestors include the Ojibwe, Odawa, Potawatomi, Delaware, Oneida, and Mi'kmaq peoples. He grew up in Cape Croker, Ontario, and Indian Brook, Nova Scotia. Today, he lives in Sudbury, Ontario.

His Musical Journey

Bryden started his musical journey very early. He grew up attending pow wows, which are special gatherings for Indigenous peoples. At just two years old, he began learning the Northern Traditional dance style. By age four, he had already written his first song on a keyboard. When he was fourteen, he composed his first pow wow song.

Bryden has been part of traditional drum circles since he was a child. These circles are important for many Indigenous communities. Later, he learned to play keyboards. This helped him explore new styles of dance music.

His Music Style

Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie's album Round Dance & Beats (Powwow) is special. It mixes traditional First Nations vocal chants with hip hop and rhythm and blues dance beats. What's amazing is that he mixed the entire album using only his iPhone! Since then, he has received a grant from the Canada Council to buy professional recording equipment.

Unlike some other artists who use samples, Bryden sings many of his own vocals. This makes his music very personal and unique. His album was recognized with important awards. It was a finalist for the Juno Award for Indigenous Music Album of the Year in 2017. It was also nominated for Best Hand Drum Album at the 2017 Indigenous Music Awards.

Albums

• Round Dance & Beats (Powwow) (2016)