“American Native CD release”
Frederick Aragon picked up the Native American flute for the first time in January 1999—and thus began a new career for this modern Renaissance man.
An expatriate of corporate America, Aragon has a background in graphic design, illustration and animation and for six years worked for the largest educational software publisher in the U.S. Before that, he spent 15 years on the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad, retiring as a conductor in 1989. During both careers, he maintained time for his fine art, creating striking paintings on canvas that have been exhibited and collected nationally and internationally. But never did this multi-talented artist imagine that he would find his destiny in music.
In June 2000, only a year and a half after Aragon touched a Native flute for the first time, he recorded "Coyote Tales," a CD that tells through music the story of an indigenous animal culture that centers around Coyote and his environment. Through storytelling, singing, and flute, Aragon paints a vivid picture of the American Southwest.
"With his powers," Aragon explains, "Coyote is both a guide and a mirror."
In haunting melodies such as "Coyote’s Lament," Aragon reveals that much like the rest of us, Coyote is by no means a perfect creature. His adventures test our sense of right and wrong, often illuminating how the best-laid plans can come back to haunt us. Coyote encounters friends, enemies, opportunities, and dilemmas, and he doesn’t always make the best choices. But "best," Aragon points out, is in the eye of the beholder, and wisdom is a window that isn’t always wide enough to crawl through.
Some three years after the release of "Coyote Tales" came Aragon’s second CD, "American Native," which continues the adventure by introducing new cultures and creatures to Coyote’s territory: Don Borrego, the legendary Spanish lover of life and women; Shawn, a red-coated stallion of Irish earth; and Bruja Petra, a cunandera of the most extreme powers. Together with Coyote and his friend Badger, these characters explore a new range of emotions—wrapped in magic, dreams, and desires.
Like Aragon’s first CD, "American Native" was conceived, created, written, designed, and composed entirely by the artist. Aragon’s son Ehron co-produced the CD—and in addition brought his own studio musician skills to bear as he performed on keyboards, drums, shakers, rattles, rhythm guitar, and lead guitar. The result is a rich, evocative blend of vocals and music tracks that range from simple to complex—and all call to mind the soul of the American Southwest.
Frederick Aragón has received a commendation from the State of New Mexico for his contributions to representing the state in a tour of major cities of Texas; a "You Make a Difference" certificate from the Boys and Girls Club of Northern New Mexico; and an Honorary Ambassadorship from the Taos County Chamber of Commerce. He was a featured performer at the Fechin Inn, a luxury hotel in Taos, and has served on the boards of the Taos Institute of Arts and the Taos Business Alliance.
