”The Long Walk: 1,674 Days” Composition
“The Long Walk: 1,674 Days” is a durational composition performed over 1,674 days as a powerful tribute to the Navajo people’s resilience during their forced removal and imprisonment from 1863 to 1868. The length of the composition mirrors the exact period of the Navajo Long Walk, honoring the memory and spirit of those who endured the violent march to and internment at Fort Sumner and the return journey. The piece is a metaphoric odyssey, inviting spiritual meditation and creating space for individual and collective contemplation. Each compositional event is an opportunity to foster historical memory and cultural connection. “The Long Walk: 1,674 Days” welcomes musicians, singers, and all community members to join the journey of remembrance, reflection, and renewal.
“The Long Walk: 1,674 Days” Recording
The recording of “The Long Walk: 1,674 Days” shared as part of this Artwork Pairing was recorded by Delbert Anderson (Trumpet) and Robert Muller (Piano) on April 31, 2023 at the Institute of American Indian Arts. The recording is an interpretation of “The Long Walk: 1,674 Days” composition
Delbert Anderson, a Diné jazz trumpet artist, composer, and educator, stands at the forefront of a vibrant Native American jazz scene. His work, deeply rooted in his Diné heritage, seamlessly integrates Navajo “spinning songs” of love, healing, and courtship with jazz and funk, thus marking him as a community-minded Indigenous individualist. Through his Delbert Anderson Quartet, Anderson revives the improvised sounds of the Diné circle, blending them with jazz, funk, and hip-hop. His compositions are inspired by Navajo Nation landscapes, historical events, and a desire to preserve and educate about Diné history.
Anderson’s notable projects include “The Long Walk: 1,674 Days,” a poignant composition reflecting on a critical period in Navajo history, and “Manitou,” which fuses ancient Native American melodies with jazz and funk. The Delbert Anderson Trio (DAT) showcases jazz standards and original tunes, capturing the essence of Anderson’s musical beginnings.
His commitment to community and education is evident through his “Build a Band” program, which teaches jazz improvisation to young students through a Diné and family curriculum, wellness programs, and community outreach initiatives aimed a evoking change for the well-being of all humans.
Anderson’s achievements have garnered recognition, including multiple awards from Chamber Music America, the Cultural Capital Fellowship from the First Peoples Fund, and the Jazz Road program at South Arts. His contributions to music and culture have been featured in prominent outlets like The New York Times, JazzTimes, Grammy.com, and NPR.
Listen to The Long Walk recording, an interpretation of the composition:
Delbert Anderson
The Long Walk: 1,674 Days
Durational composition
2023
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