Jeff Ball was first exposed to the music of the American Indian Flute while attending a Powwow in Baltimore Maryland. It was the early 1990s and most people had never heard of this beautiful instrument. "It took some work but I found a flute for sale in an eclectic little music store about an hour away from home," he recalls. Thanks to a good ear, and some help from a Choctaw man named Windtamer, Jeff was soon taking his flute everywhere.

"I listened to every bit of flute music I could get my hands on, from Stan Snake to Tsa’ne Do’se." He went on to study the music of renowned masters like John Rainier Jr., and R. Carlos Nakai.

In time Jeff’s career took off. He wrote an instruction book titled "Trailhead of the American Indian Flute" (1993), and then went on to launch a recording career. While ever mindful of the tradition of his instrument, Jeff decided early on not to be bound by it. "The flute is to be played with respect and reverence but not restricted to some narrow category," he says. My band and I write music we like and hope that others will too.">

Beginning with his indie debut Dancing With The Wind, Jeff followed with a trio of best selling Red Feather albums titled Mixed-Blood (1996), Reverence (1997), and Windtamer (1999). Jeff was a 1998 Native American nominee for Best Flutist, and last year was honored by winning a Nammy (Native American Music Award) in the Native Heart category for his Cedar Moon album.

Each of Jeff’s albums feature flutes made by Butch Hall. "I love Butch’s flutes because of the range and note purity they provide. When I play my songs I am telling a story. I don’t want to be limited by a flute that is too timid to sing loud or chokes on the high notes."

Jeff remains a regular performer on the Powwow circuit and teaches American Indian flute workshops across the country. His new album Prairie Runner features twelve new stories, several on Butch’s flutes, and is waiting for you.

For more information on Jeff Ball and his music visit… http://www.jeffball.net/