The Jones Benally Family

The Jones Benally Family
photo by Brent Stirton
3 generations
  • country:USA
  • region:North America
  • style(s):Native American, Traditional
  • label:not signed
  • gender:male, female, child
  • artist posted by:Sihasin

Line up

  • clayson benally (hand drum, gourds, vocals, dance)
  • Jeneda Benally (vocals,dance, gourds)
  • Jones Benally (vocals, hand drum, gourds, dance)


BIO OF THE JONES BENALLY FAMILY NAVAJO DANCE TROUPE
World Champion Hoop Dancer and traditional healer Jones Benally, his daughter Jeneda, son Clayson and granddaughters Dyatihi and Deezchiil Benally form the Jones Benally Family Navajo Dance Troupe. These 3 generations together bring the healing power, beauty and profound messages of Navajo (Dine) culture to educate and uplift audiences around the globe. The Jones Benally Family give an unparalleled introduction to Navajo culture, music and Dance.
Navajo dance is a sacred tradition encompassing a wide variety of forms which aim to heal the body, mind and spirit. When presented outside of their Navajo community, these dances are modified for public viewing, but they retain their deep capacity to move hearts and minds. The family's emotive vocals and chanting along with accompaniment on traditional rhythm instruments such as hand drum and gourds amplify the ceremonial mood.
The Benally Family’s extensive repertoire of over 20 different dances includes eagle, feather, basket, gourd, swan, horse and friendship dance. The Hoop Dance is always a highlight as audiences marvel at the phenomenal natural figures and shapes that either Jones or Clayson evoke so fluidly using hoops made of willow.
Jones Benally is a respected elder of the Navajo Nation. He was the first ever traditional practitioner to be employed at a Government hospital and held this role for 19 years. He still practices medicine along with Jeneda and Clayson. Jones was also the composer of the traditional songs for the motion picture “Geronimo” as well as countless documentaries and TV specials . Jones has won multiple world champion Hoop Dance Titles , has received the first Heard Museum living legacy award and is recognized as an Arizona Indian Living Treasure. The Jones Benally Family was recently featured in The Washington Post, National Geographic, Arizona Highways, Geo Magazine and countless news stories throughout the world.
The Jones Benally Family has recently performed at The Library Of Congress, The National Folk Festival, The American Folk Festival, Grassroots Festival, The Museum of North American History, Museum of Northern Arizona, Tanz n Fest, and hundreds more throughout the U.S., Europe, Mexico and Canada.
Jones Benally also performs with his families multi award winning band Sihasin. The Jones Benally Family also gives many lectures to schools, communities and organizations throughout the world.