Album Notes

JJ Kent, Native American Flutist, brings to the world a beautiful new CD as a beloved tribute to his late wife of ten years, Cathy, who crossed over to the spirit world in a fatal car crash in June of 2008. JJ was also in the car that late night on a gravel road across a lonely stretch of Nebraska prairie. After the car had flipped end-over-end several times finally coming to rest upside down, JJ was able to crawl out, and pull Cathy’s body from the burning wreckage. It was too late to save her, as she had died on impact.

Out of the obscurity of grief was born music, and JJ’s newest musical expression is indeed a gift to Cathy’s memory. The title of the CD, Tate’ Topa Win, means “4 Winds Woman,” a Native American name given to her in a traditional Lakota naming ceremony. JJ was warmly supported during that dark time of loss by his respected friend and Grammy award winning producer George Noriega, who produced the album. While it’s mainly flute, George’s friends also gathered in Florida to help, and there are featured vocals from Sarah Packiam, lots of guitars from Dylan Schiavone, backing vocals from Jodi Marr, and much more. Songs range from a flute-and-acoustic-guitar duet (”There She Was”), to big choir choruses (”Tate’ Topa Win”), songs about the Native American experience (”What Will This World Be?”), and a moody, driving blues song (”Lonely Buffalo Walks Alone”). It is truly a phenomenal and touching album, especially his stories about how the Lakotas received the First Flute, and the weaving into each note the spirituality JJ Kent brings through music and in the honoring of a loved one’s passing.

Though she is gone from this world, if you remain quiet, close your eyes, and really listen, you will feel the beautiful spirit of Tate’ Topa Win on the four winds of the flute.