Jeff Carpenter facts for kids

Jeff Carpenter is a talented musician and songwriter. He plays in a special band called Injunuity. This band is made up of all Native American artists. They play a cool mix of rock music with orchestral sounds.

Jeff Carpenter's Musical Journey

Jeff Carpenter grew up in Ada, Oklahoma. He is part of the Chickasaw people. He started playing music when he was in grade school. His first instrument was the acoustic guitar. As he got older, he learned to play many more instruments. These included bass guitar, drums, electric guitar, and the saxophone.

In 2007, something exciting happened. Brad Clonch, a Mississippi Choctaw composer and flutist, invited Jeff to play music with him. They performed Native American music at a special event. It was the Chickasaw Nation Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Forming the Band Injunuity

After that first show, Jeff and Brad started playing together more often. They performed around Oklahoma. Soon, they added more musicians to their group. They decided to call their band "Injunuity."

The band quickly became popular. They began playing concerts all over the country. They visited places like Alabama, New Mexico, and Wisconsin. In July 2013, they even traveled to Semione, Switzerland. They were the main act at the 5th annual Apache Moon Festival there.

The Unique Sound of Injunuity

Injunuity's music is a special blend of old and new. It mixes traditional Native American sounds with modern music styles. They use string orchestra and piano. They also add modern drums and electric guitar. This allows them to play many types of music. Their songs range from folk to rock to classical music.

Jeff and Brad write most of their own songs. They use digital recording to create their more complex music. Brad plays the Native American flute and keyboard. Jeff plays lead guitar and alto sax. Other band members include James Monroe on trumpet, Robbie Blair on bass guitar, and Ashton Booth on drums. Recently, Brittany Dawn, a singer from Ada, Oklahoma, joined the band.

Keeping Native American Music Alive

A big goal for Injunuity is to help keep Native American culture strong. In the past, many Native American songs were lost. This happened because there was no way to record them. Injunuity wants to make sure this doesn't happen anymore. They use tribal instruments in their music. They also teach people who are not Native American about their culture and music.

Injunuity's Music Releases

Injunuity has released several albums. Here are some of their works:

• Unconquered (2007)
• Fight for Survival (2010)
• Nativity — Christmas with Injunuity (2011)
• Spirits (2012)

Their full-length EP (which is like a mini-album) called Fight for Survival was chosen by Canyon Records. This company is based in Phoenix. They decided to release the album again across the country and around the world.

Awards and Recognition

Jeff Carpenter has won many awards for his music. These awards are called "Nammys." They are like the Grammys for Native American music.

Nammys for Injunuity

In 2008, Jeff and Brad won a Nammy. They were named "Best Debut Group of the Year." This award was for their first EP release, Unconquered.

In 2010, the band's third CD, Fight for Survival, won another Nammy. This time, Jeff and Brad won "Songwriters of the Year." They have also been nominated for "Best Instrumental Recording." Recently, they were considered for "Best Alternative Native Rock Album" at the Indian Summer Music Awards.