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Fall 2024

Songs

Black and white photo of Sam Morris of the Nez Perce Tribe
Spring 2022

Nez Perce music today and yesterday

Listen to Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) music from the past and today, starting with early recordings in 1897 and up to contemporary songs from the Washington State University recording studio.

 

The Sam Morris Collection (Courtesy Tabitha Erdey, Cultural Resources Program Manager, Nez Perce National Historic Park and Research Center)

Book cover of A Legacy from Sam Morris and two music CDs

This two-CD set was produced by Loran Olsen, WSU professor emeritus of music and Native American studies.

Olsen worked with the Nez Perce community for several decades and set up the Nez Perce … » More …

Spring 2011

Video: Canjo – John Elwood plays the Cougar fight song, “Shortnin’ Bread,” and his dulcimer

John Elwood, a maker of fine musical instruments and a 2001 graduate of Washington State University, crafts banjos from WSU cheese cans (like the iconic Cougar Gold).

Watch John play his “canjo” below and read more about his work.

 

Cougar fight song played on the canjo:

 

“Shortnin’ bread” played on the canjo (listen for the lyrical twist):

 

In addition to canjos, John plays folk music and creates whimsical and beautiful instruments like the goblin dulcimer in the … » More …