R. Carlos Nakai

R. Carlos Nakai
Nakai playing in Moscow in 2012
Born	(1946-04-16) April 16, 1946 (age 78) Flagstaff, Arizona, United States
Occupation	Native American flute player
Years active	1982–present
Awards	Grammy Award nominations
Website	www.rcarlosnakai.com

Raymond Carlos Nakai (born April 16, 1946) is a Native American flutist of Navajo and Ute heritage. Nakai played brass instruments in high school and college, and auditioned for the Armed Forces School of Music after a two-year period in the United States Navy. He began playing a traditional Native American cedar flute after an accident left him unable to play the trumpet. Largely self-taught, he released his first album Changes in 1983, and afterward signed a contract with Canyon Records, who produced more than thirty of his albums in subsequent years. His music prominently features original compositions for the flute inspired by traditional Native American melodies. Nakai has collaborated with musicians William Eaton, Peter Kater, Philip Glass, Nawang Khechog, Paul Horn, and Keola Beamer. He has received 11 Grammy Award nominations for his albums.