DIGITAL RESIDENT
Uptown Singerz

november 2022

The Uptown Singerz are a DC-based intertribal Native American Northern powwow drum group that performs powwow, ceremonial, and in some cases political songs. We are comprised of drummers who sing at a center drum, a lady back-up singer, and several powwow dancers representing tribal nations from across the U.S.. We sing powwow songs from the Northern style of powwow drumming with the male voices at the top of their vocal tessitura. This oral tradition, taught by rote, allows our group to perform centuries-old songs or create contemporary offerings that pay homage to the rhythms, honor beats, and tonal structures that have been carried on by our tribal elders. It is now our turn to keep these cultural practices going strong. Our group members reside in DC and the surrounding areas where we come together to sing, dance and drum the bold powwow style to share our Native American spirit and culture.