James Gilbert “Jim” Pepper

(Kaw/Creek) (1941-1992)

Image by Jaquelyn Rachelle Cruz

Jim Pepper Native Arts Council

We are a Native American-led 501c3 charitable organization celebrating and exploring the legacy of the great Kaw/Creek musician Jim Pepper, raising awareness of and creating opportunities for Indigenous musicians, and improving access to culturally-relevant musical education for Native American students. In 2024, we are developing a culturally relevant music education curriculum under contract with the Oregon Department of Education and the Southern Oregon Educational Service District for grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12.

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Jim Pepper “Eagle Tone”

Jim Pepper was the Flying Eagle, and he had a tone admired by many. Joe Lovano, Rakalam Bob Moses and many others described it as his “Eagle Tone.” In this live recording, Jim performs his composition Funny Glasses and a Moustache with Mal Waldron, John Betsch and Ed Schuller.

The Jim Pepper Native Arts Council

Proudly Presents

Speak/Sing Native™

Speak/Sing Native™ is a new, multidisciplinary, collaborative approach to culturally-relevant Native American music education combining performing arts, multimedia technology and indigenous language preservation concepts and skill sets that is grounded in the specific tribal cultures and languages of the students enrolled in each particular class.

Speak/Sing Native™ is being developed to complement Senate Bill 13 (2017), Tribal History / Shared History.