Born: 1946 as Curtis Jonnie in the Roseau River Reserve, Manitoba
Shingoose is an Ojibwa Indian who was adopted by a Steinbach, Manitoba Mennonite missionary family at the age of 4.
Jonnie adopted his Anglocised family surname after it was handed down by his native ancestors. His grandfather had been named Little John Shingoose who was named after Jonnie's great-grandfather, Big John Shingoose -- thus the name Jonnie and the moniker Shingoose.
Soon he began playing and singing in church choirs. By his teenage years he had moved to the United States to join the Nebraska-based Boys Town Concert Choir.
With the dawn of the end of the 1960's Jonnie had played in several pop, rock and R & B bands throughout New York and Washington, DC -- most notably the Roy Buchanan Blues Band.
In 1973 he returned to Canada as a native activist and began performing at folk festivals and tribal functions under the name 'Shingoose' - his great-grandfather's other name.
His recording career began with 1975's 'Native Country' EP and didn't move to a full-length recording until 1979's 'Ballad Of Norval'.
In 1983, Shingoose toured in the native musical production 'In Deo' featuring some of his original compositions. With his influence in native affairs mounting, he hosted his own current affairs television show 'First Nations Magazine' in 1985 and would later star along with other First Nations performers in the CTV-TV prime time special 'Indian Time'.
Currently Shingoose is acting Chair of the Best Music of Aboriginal Canada Committee for the Juno Awards. He is also Director of Fund Raising for a new Aboriginal Cultural Tourism Centre called 'Spirit Island' in downtown Winnipeg, MB, scheduled to be opened July 1999.
There's a new Shingoose CD being planned for release later in 1999 that will coincide with the network airing of 'Indian Time 3'.
with notes from Clay and Curtis Jonnie (Shingoose)
Singles
Albums
1975 Native Country [EP]
1979 Ballad Of Norval
1988 Natural Tan [cassette] (Headband)
Video
Compilation Tracks
Official Shingoose Website.
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