Music Biography / Emceeing & Hosting / Moderating & Facilitating / Instrumentation / Discography
Music Biography
Art Napoleon, a bushman from the boreal foothills of Northern BC, can still skin a moose with a pocket knife but he is also known as an underground troubador whose words and music bridges cultures. He is an extremely versatile bi-lingual singer-songwriter armed with a wicked sense of humour and an uncanny ability to improvise and engage audiences of all ages. A born entertainer, he can embody the shaman archetype to cast a spell on the gathered.
Raised by Cree speaking grandparents in the remote northern woodlands, it's probably a good thing that Napoleon turned from hunting & gathering to crafting songs with clever, thoughtful lyrics. Whether he is telling a story or singing about a life of intriguing and mystical experiences and characters, he manages to be both irreverent and deeply spiritual.
Napoleon has never written a hit song, sold a million records or signed with a label. He has had to battle demons from a once hard and troubled life, and is a technological caveman whose musical style falls between the industry cracks. But there is so much that sets him apart from other singer-songwriters. From performing for children and elders in remote fly-in villages to sharing the stage with the likes of Buffy Ste. Marie, Richie Havens and songwriting legend Guy Clark; from singing for lawyers, drunks and the homeless to singing for Canada's Governor General; from driving hundreds of kilometers on windy gravel roads during winter storms doing two shows a day for underprivileged kids to playing large soft-seat theaters in the city a week later, there is not much Napoleon hasn't seen. He has found every niche available to him to become a trickster and shape-shifter; a truly versatile survivor who makes a full and varied living as an artist.
This award-winning songwriter has been featured on many radio & TV programs including concert performances, interviews, comedy sketches, voice-overs, narration, soundtracks, hosting and acting on shows such as Down2Earth and children's program Tiga Talk. He was nominated for a 2009 Leo award in his role as host of CHUM TV's The New Canoe. His previous indie recordings have been nominated for numerous music awards including the WCMAs, Canadian Folk Awards, the NAMMIES & the CAMAs. Art's latest CD Creeland Covers, a collection of familiar songs all performed in the Cree language, has quickly grabbed the attention of mainstream and underground media throughout Canada. Despite his full and varied life, Napoleon remains firmly connected to his roots and returns to the Northern homeland for cultural retreats and to mentor youth who want to apply cultural traditions and philosophies to a contemporary context. During huckleberry season he can still be found camping in the mountains, chasing moose, searching for lost dreams... and new fishing holes.
Emceeing & Hosting
From doing sketch characters like Indigenous Joe (Canadian Beer Commercial Rant at CBC Winnipeg Comedy Festival), to spoofing country songs or performing musical impersonations, Art's hosting style borders on stand up comedy. His style ranges from sly wit to goofy and playful; sometimes sarcastic and sometimes reverential depending on the situation and the audience. When he points to cross-cultural differences and the little ironies and hypocricies of both the "Rez world" and Western society, nobody is safe. He cites Margaret Cho, Russell Peters and Scotland's Billy Connolly as some of his favorite comics but is quick to point out that he is humorist, not a stand up comedian as "comics are required to be funny for hours at a time and perform in a lot of bad clubs." Emceeing allows him to interact with other performers and be funny in short spurts, injecting humour where it is needed to create a balanced show that leaves an audience either satisfied or wishing for more. Art has hosted at variety shows, concerts, music fest workshops, rallies and larger events like national conferences and outdoor celebrations for audiences of up to 5,000 people.
"As stage producer and emcee on large-scale events in Northern BC, Art continues to crack up crowds, run a professional stage, draw the audience in and understand the needs of his clients. He is one of the best we have worked with and plan on using him for years to come."
- Jocelyn Schick, Bizzy Body Event Planners - Ft. St. John BC
Moderating & Facilitating
From facilitating cultural camps in the wilds, guest speaking at universities, conducting keynotes to high school grads, providing in-service training to social workers, educators and government agencies, Art Napoleon has become known as a bit of a bridge-builder and cross-cultural ambassador. While his music and TV work keep him busy, he is still in demand as a workshop facilitator, cultural advisor, moderator and speaker. He has participated on a variety of large-scale environmental, educational and arts & culture initiatives aimed at building on Indigenous perspectives and traditional knowledge. Art is also slowly making his foray into the world of motivational speaking specializing in the following topics:
- Cree history, mythology & philosophy
- The Power of the Cree Language
- Freedom from Victim-hood & the Colonial Mind-set
- Cultural Maintenance for the Urban Tribe
- The Basics of Ceremonial Protocol & Spirituality
- Cree & Dene Life-way Teachings, Living the Best of Both Worlds
- Leadership Strategies for the Modern Hunter-Gatherer
Most topics can be modified to meet group needs. To inquire about booking Art for your planned event email info@artnapoleon.com
"An intelligent and engaging man who easily bridges diversity in any audience with his wit and charm, Art takes time to understand the context of gatherings and consistently delivers an appropriate presentation. He is an inspirational speaker with class and integrity."
- April Ingham, Pacific Peoples Partnership
Instrumentation
Napoleon performs vocals, guitar, harmonica & hand-drums. He is a seasoned solo artist but often teams with multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Marty Jones for smooth harmonies & a band-like sound. Art's full band "The Travelling Suns" includes Zak Cohen on lead guitar, Marty Jones on bass & cello, Carsen Oglend on drums.
Discography
Creeland Covers - full length CD released Oct 2010 - Familiar songs performed in the ancient tribal tongue known as Cree. One original track.
Siskabush Tales - full length CD released Sept 2008 - winner of Best Folk and Best country recordings at the 2009 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. One of music columnist Stuart Derdyn's (Vancouver Province) favorite albums of 2008.
Mocikan: Songs for Learning Cree - full length CD released March 2008 - Art's first and only children's CD nominated for a WCMA and a Canadian Folk Award.
Miyoskamin - full length CD released April 2006 - Top played album on CBC galaxy Folk-Roots station. Songs used on a number of TV shows, indie docs and compilations including the European based DixieFrog's CD Indian Reservation Blues.
Outta The Woods - full length debut CD released 1995 - songs used in various soundtracks including APTN's The Rez. Currently out of print.
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