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Sondra Segundo with khueex june 2023_edi

SONDRA SEGUNDO

Haida Singer  Artist  Author  Educator

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NEW VERSION OF LOVEBIRDS NOW AVAILABE FOR PRESALE!

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Sondra Segundo was born and raised in a time when there were still many birth speakers of the Haida language alive. From very young, she grew up hearing traditional Haida songs with her Elders.

Now she is passing on this priceless knowledge to the next generations.

Sondra is a singer of the Haida language, a cultural educator and published author/ illustrator of 3 children’s books. 

In 2018, she joined tribal band, Khu’éex’ which is based in Seattle and sings in the Tlingit & Haida Languages.  She will be featured on their upcoming 3 albums and documentary film "The Magic of Noise" with Khu.éex'".

She also produces music with her husband, they've released 3 albums.

Sondra was fortunate to apprentice with a birth speaker of the Masset Haida dialect, Jane Kristovich during the last years of Jane's life. This led Sondra to become the founder of Haida Roots, a non-profit organization that connects local Haida to resources and opens opportunities for sharing their culture and learning Xaad kíl  (haidaroots.com).

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"Lovebirds" Official Music Video
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"Lovebirds" Official Music Video

The 2nd single from Khu.éex's upcoming album "Red Cedar In The Hour of Chaos", a journey through a world where colonization ever-repeats its' own chaos and Native people ever-strategize tactical resiliency. Originating as a hand drum song, "Love Birds" path continued into a gospelfied soul piece, traveling through Haida, Tlingit, and English dialects. "Love Birds" celebrates human connection, modeling healthy relationships to our youth, the progression of youth into elderhood, loyalty, the contemporary survival of our traditional support systems, and truly supporting each other. "Love Birds" is a challenge to the perpetuation of negative stereotypes and the assumption of dysfunction towards Native relationships. Song & video creation was inspired by a true love story and is presented in the Haida & Tlingit languages. The video features the first Haida totem (carved by Reg Davidson) raised in Craig, AK since they were banned, Haida Eagle & Raven clan totems in Hydaburg, AK (carved by Joe & TJ Young) and formline art by Preston Singletary and Sondra Segundo. Filmed in Hydaburg, Craig and Juneau Alaska. This video also features the Haida Roots Raven Clan Singers, a 4 generations dance group/ descendants of the Lovebirds and their Raven Clan Matriarch, Náanaa Stláay. "Red Cedar In The Hour of Chaos" album coming soon. Produced by Randall Dunn. Copyright 2025 Cedar Plank Industries https://www.khueex.com Bandcamp: https://khueex.bandcamp.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/khueex TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@khueex Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Koo.eex Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1Ea0bgpmTZmjHx7ioo58Hi YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@khueex
Khu.éex' | KNKX Studio Session
21:09

Khu.éex' | KNKX Studio Session

In an energetic KNKX Studio Session, 10-piece band Khu.éex' (@khueex) filled the space with their unique blend of jazz, funk, rock, and spoken word in Indigenous languages Tlingit and Haida. Currently led by bassist Preston Singletary, powerhouse band Khu.éex' formed a decade ago after Singletary met keyboardist Bernie Worrell, a former member of George Clinton's Parliament Funkadelic who passed away in 2016. Their collaboration lives on through an ever-evolving group of musicians highlighting the perspectives and struggles of Native American communities through music. After a quick moment of gratitude shared by Gene Tagaban, the band opened with their first song, "Angry Bear." It began with a low, dreamlike poem from Sondra Segundo, spoken in her native Haida language, followed up by foot-stomping rock-fusion grooves reminiscent of Carlos Santana. The song follows a raven spreading love “for the people.” They followed up with a warm yet melancholy song "Shapeshifter." Segundo revealed that she wrote this song for her 23-year-old son, who had been struggling with mental health. Tagaban’s haunting lyrics of the shape-shifter give a glimpse of the inner turmoil that is part of such a struggle. Segundo’s empowering lyrics of “you are here for a reason” serve as a powerful reminder of our purpose. Khu.éex' rounded out their set with "Prophetess / Woman Warrior Song" a perfect example of how they amplify their messages through music. "Prophetess" focuses on the women of the endangered communities that Segundo represents. "Woman Warrior Song," written by Lil’Wat Nation member Faye Nelson, highlights the strength of women through nurturing and building community. Singletary called Khu.éex' the “largest unknown band in the Pacific Northwest.” He said he looks forward to playing more for communities in the region. The band is staying busy, with recent performances at Seattle Peoples Indigenous Day and Earshot Jazz Festival. They are also developing a documentary about the band, called The Magic of Noise. Get to know Khu.éex', their spirit and message in this KNKX Studio Session. Musicians: Preston Singletary - Bass Captain Raab - Guitar Tim Kennedy - Keys Larry Mahlis - Drums Denny Stern - Percussion Gordon Brown - Saxophone Jason Cressey - Trombone Kate Olson - Baritone saxophone Sondra Segundo - Vocals Gene Tagaban - Vocals, spoken word/native flute Songs: Angry Bear Shapeshifter Prophetess / Woman Warrior Song Audio: Brian Moynihan Video: Parker Miles Blohm Subscribe to see more jazz performances and concerts from KNKX Public Radio. KNKX On-Demand (Listen to interviews from our Studio Sessions!) https://ondemand.knkx.org 24/7 JAZZ RADIO! https://www.jazz24.org FOLLOW US! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knkx885 Threads: https://www.threads.net/@knkx885 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@knkx885 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/knkxfm KNKX Public Radio broadcasts from Seattle & Tacoma, Washington. Listen to us online at https://www.KNKX.org #knkx #jazz

Our Haida art forms flow together.

Song goes with dance goes with artworks goes with storytelling...and it comes through us just as natural as the river flows.

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©2020 by Sondra S. Segundo. All rights reserved.

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