Jim Pepper - Witchi Tia To

Jim Pepper was an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and singer of Native American ancestry.
Beginning in the late 1960s, Pepper became a pioneer of fusion jazz, his band The Free Spirits (active between 1965 and 1968, with guitarist Larry Coryell) being credited as the first to combine elements of jazz and rock. His primary instrument was the tenor saxophone (he also played flute and soprano saxophone), and his characteristic incisive, penetrating tone and soulful delivery was unique for its time. A similar timbre was taken up by later players such as Jan Garbarek, Michael Brecker, and David Sanborn.
Of Kaw and Creek heritage, Pepper also achieved notoriety for his compositions combining elements of jazz and Native American music. Don Cherry and Ornette Coleman encouraged Pepper to reflect his roots and heritage and incorporate it into his jazz playing and composition. His "Witchi Tai To" (derived from a peyote healing chant of the Native American Church which he had learned from his grandfather) is the most famous example of this hybrid style; the song has been covered by many other artists including Harper's Bizarre, Ralph Towner (with and without Oregon), Jan Garbarek, and Brewer & Shipley. Pepper supported the American Indian Movement. He served as musical director for Night of the First Americans, a Native American self-awareness benefit concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. in 1980 and played also on pow-wows.
Pepper was a member of the short-lived band Everything Is Everything with Chris Hills, Lee Reinoehl, Chip Baker, John Waller and Jim Zitro. Their sole album spawned the near-hit single "Witchi Tai To" (which got lots of airplay). It was issued on Vanguard Apostolic and UK Vanguard in England.
In his own projects, he recorded with Cherry, Naná Vasconcelos, Collin Walcott, Kenny Werner, John Scofield, Ed Schuller, Hamid Drake, and others. His CD Comin' and Goin' (1983) is the definitive statement of Pepper's unique "American Indian jazz" with nine songs played by four different line-ups. He worked also with the Liberation Music Orchestra, Paul Motian' s quintet, Bob Moses, Marty Cook, Mal Waldron, David Friesen, and Amina Claudine Myers, and toured Europe intensively.
Pepper died in 1992, of lymphoma.
(copied from wikipedia)

[@robertgodhard3248]

I met Jim in mid 80's while I was cleaning pots and dirty dishes in the gutter of the street outside of the brownstone I was staying at.A fire hydrant had been hit and was busted open,pouring out good NYC water along curb.Put bricks against curb,put dishes and such there and after awhile they were spotless! Was on a quiet early evening while doing this,I heard the sounds of a shimmering sax bouncing off the buildings,getting closer and closer(talken bout music to my ears!) and thinking - - -man ,I know that sound,and there he was a smaller man with that SOUND! He sat down next to me,we smoked a dube together few words spoken and I said You got great tone,heard before and he said "Yea,played on a lot of records" I didn't ask which. Had my guitar with me and he said "Play someth'n for me" I was shy and said "I ain't very good"and he said I wanna hear you play someth'n,anything,so I played a simple funk thing,and he said "Who told you you wern't good? I was speechless.He introduced himself to me as "Jim"and I replied I'm Bob,and he said "you got an amp in there,and I said(scared to death)yea.Jim asked if he could come in and play some music,and though I was nervous as all get out,said sure(though I had been told by the owner(classical guitarist)not to ever let ANYONE in unless he was there.PERIOD.We went in and I plugged in and Jim said "Play that little thing you Was doin'".So started playing,and he played this hauntingly beautiful melody over top.I was blown away that he could play this over my simple chord progression,and he asked"what other chords do ya know,so I showed him the rest of what I knew,and he said "Play that one, than this one and so forth,and before long WE we're making wonderful music together😮(cannot put into words the stuff Jim was doin' other than hauntingly beautiful).And that tone- WOW. We kept playing and it got better and better(I was getting better too!) And in came the owner with the other musicians that lived there(they had finished their gig) and he JUMPED ALL OVER MY CASE for lettn' this guy in. I felt 2""tall,to say the least. And I told him how we met(I was a guest and cooked and so forth to earn my keep) Michael(the owner)settled down some and told Jim to leave(Jim was a humble man)and He asked if we could finish our song "we"had written.Michael said "song"? He can barely play,meaning me. Jim looked at me with that look of his, and I started it off,and than I heard bass-the bass player fell in,the piano player fell in,then Jim(didn't know his full name yet,or were I had heard his sound)then came in with that hauntingly beautiful melody and Micheal was taken back by it all,as it was excellent. When we finished Jim said he would stop back sometime and we would continue where we left off. That was one of the most joyful times of my life,as he skillfully,without me knowing,had taken my playing to another level,in just a few hours. This changed me in many ways,and to this day I think of him,his kindness, his speech,his UNDERSTANDING,and his playing,and more than I can say. He and I walked out together,and he disappeared into the night. I didn't even want to go back inside,but did,for I knew I didn't belong there any more. Jim did come back,with several records he got at goodwill,and asked if I'd set them inside,which I did,and asked where his horn was,and he said it got stolen. Man was I sad,but he reassured me he'd get another(though he had told me he had had that one for years) . And I knew they were expensive,as Selmer's were the best. We hung out for awhile and he encouraged me to be around more real musicians and to stay away from negative people and such,to keep playing and focus on good things. When he departed,(with much Love) I went back in side to find Michael starring at the records Jim had brought and was speechless.Then I looked at them and knew were I had heard his sound,and saw his picture and name(he never told me his last name). He didn't bring them for me per say,but so the others would know who he was and, I believe,to reduce the friction between Michael and i from letting him in. And this result he had accomplished. The whole thing grieved me because I didn't care about any of that stuff,only about Jim and how he had changed my life. I left NYC,never to see my friend again, and I know that he had a profound effect on many people because that was his way. He is in my heart and prayers and I do believe we will meet again .

[@Joannewyn]

🥹

[@briantenney6020]

Damn!!!

[@jimpeppernativeartsfestiva4512]

That's a beautiful story, brother. Thanks for sharing, and know that I'm writing from Jim Pepper's former family home in Portland, Oregon. I've lived here for 22 years. Be well, Sean

[@robertgodhard3248]

All I know about Jim is from his music and the two times we hung out. He sure had a impact on my life.

[@mikkalinka9781]

Who is listening in 2021? Helps one get thru the pandemic!

[@mikkalinka9781]

Anyone listening in 2022? (November)

[@Schirmegger]

This music is made out of rays of light! Thank you Jim Pepper for playing the saxophone like a sacred pipe!

[@japlill]

I heard this song 40 years ago...and loved it instantly. I love chanting and if I have a bad day I play this on the way home. Thank you for posting this wonderful rendition.

[@crushable1]

First heard back in the 70's. It has never failed to raise my "spirits". I just love this.

[@lucycorey9468]

Judy Adams WDET Wayne state public radio station, over 30 yrs ago, introduced me to this - still love it in Dec. 2022!

[@CrashTestPrivate]

I never knew Jim in life, I am, however, privileged and honored to know and be friends with his mother. From her I have learned much about Jim and his music, so its almost as if I knew him. She and her son's music also helped me to discover and embrace my own Native American heritage... A journey that is in it's infancy, but that I am enjoying wholeheartedly. Thank you for that, and your music Jim.

[@juliewright2272]

This song always helps me to let go of my sadness and let my heart soar!

[@Highpinesnow]

Absolyly!

[@bidiHumbidi]

Tru dat!

[@brigittehugyecz475]

Wie gesagt,das beste!!!

[@RobCarmina]

Pippa and I saw him shortly before he died - at The Albert in Bristol, UK - a brilliant, intimate jazz venue that held only about 70 people in the audience. I've been to countless gigs of all sorts, loads of jazz, lots of big concert gigs as well as small ones - but this was the highest point for live music in my life, and I don't think that will ever change. Pepper had recently had cancer treatment and was completely bald, and he didn't even have stands for his saxophones, which he just laid on the stage floor - the band was a 3-piece pick-up of London guys - who played brilliantly, incredibly soulfully - they were energised by this amazing man, who sadly at that point was gradually losing his own energy of course. He said at one point 'I beat that son of a bitch!' - referring to his cancer - but months later he was dead. It's comforting, in some way that I can't quite express, that so many people speak in this way about him - he touched my soul to the very core, and from the very first few bars of that gig I was mesmerised, yet felt also that I had 'arrived' - that THIS was the music that was the essence of everything that I loved - a kind of spiritual homecoming, yet emanating from a culture of which I knew nothing.

[@TitusKrakenDesigns]

Witchi-tie-to, gimee rah Whoa rah neeko, whoa rah neeko Hey ney, hey ney, no way Witchi-tie-to, gimee rah Whoa rah neeko, whoa rah neeko Hey ney, hey ney, no way Water spirit feelin' Springin' round my head Makes me feel glad That I'm not dead Witchi-tie-tie, gimee rah Whoa rah neeko,…

[@travwil2461951]

I lost this song for years after loving the chant. No one could seem to recall it excately as it wa. Then "Sleepers was playing and I immediately heard the background chant. Found the crdeits but could not find the song. My son was in college and had access to computers which I did not, to do his old man a favor it was a week later that I had six versions he found on the net. Thanks Jim and thanks to my son Brad.

[@ton59joe]

To me, this was the "Holy Grail"of underground music,as it was called in the early seventies. NEVER did I think I would hear it again. WMMR 93.7 in Philly would play it in the early A.M. when I would be driving around all night,probably on a "high" level of mind" WOW.Still blows me away, and I'm your typical urban white guy. All in all, and I don't use this term loosely, the best song recorded. Thank you so much,888sebi888.

[@cyrensong]

I used to have this on 45 single when I was a little girl...My mother is 77 and she still sings this ^_^ thank you so much for posting!!!

[@voodooacrobat]

This song moves me and inspires like few others. It comes over me like a warm hug and I find myself almost weeping. By the end I am elevated and cleansed. And it certainly makes me feel glad that I'm not dead!!

[@fxprovideo]

WBCN in Boston used to play this frequently back in the 70’s.

[@susanjason1190]

I actually have this album. So freaking blessed. Told my family I want this played at my funeral eventually. Favorite song ever. ❤

[@edithwedl4095]

Glad to see you soon Jim 🌿 Revelation 21:3-5

[@RobertAWilkins-r1t]

Absolutely uplifting, mystical, melodic and spellbinding........THANK YOU!

[@ericswan2904]

Endless beauty above me, below me, in front of and behind me and to either side of me. This song is eternal inexpresible and endless. Had our species accomplished nothing more we would be worth our keep!

[@purice06]

Unforgotten: Jim Pepper aka Flying Eagle aka Hung-a-Cheeda! I love to see that his magic is still workin'.

[@audunbettum275]

love from Norway! Pepper forever

[@Vingul]

Ja mann.

[@gcviolin2]

Why have I not listened to Jim Pepper before? Well - better late than never!

[@JimmyHale-ys2jh]

This song is Sacred Ground to me!!!

[@kevinmcfadden4499]

I heard this song decades ago. always loved it. stumbled on it early this year on deep tracks. going through tough separation at time. this helped pull me out of self pity and bullshit. it has a positive power even though we don't know the whole translation. fuck it. I am still here and my wife and I reunited.

[@shiveringgoat]

So happy I have this CD can't believe its out of print. Garbarek, Oregon, they are great but Jim Peppers sax tone is LIBERATING ! LONG LIVE JIM PEPPER, this is my favourite version of all the ones I heard Jim Pepper actually play on. Did you know that Jim Pepper played this at Collin Walcott's funeral and Jaco Pastorius and Pat Metheny all sang together..amazing.

[@buickmonte]

shiveringgoat Wow,Pepper,Metheny and Pastorious! I did not know that,had to of been beautiful to hear,thanks for the info.

[@cynthiabennett4717]

Would've loved a recording of those 3 artists singing this together, must've been a beautiful moment and for Collin Walcott- wow- what a gorgeous send off, may he rest in peace.

[@Schirmegger]

Incredible! This sound goes straight into my soul! Great beings!

[@susanjason1190]

I actually bought this album when I lived in Oregon. Happy New Year 🎉

[@kristopherkohlminer1712]

RIGHT ON JIM! I am so glad to call you friend!!! Your TREMENDOUS spirit lives on Jim!!!

[@66steevo1]

Witchi, witchi, witchi, whoa rah neeko all goddamn day, every day! Don't y'all get it? This is us, all of us.

[@DPSingh-px4xu]

Always the same thing happens when I have the chance to sit and listen to Jim Pepper's opening lines in this wonderful song.........I feel better, more human.......

[@SunSound7]

No ones saxophone playing moves me like Jim Pepper. I was around around when he wrote this and it always makes my spirit soar when I hear it. Thank you.

[@sharonmahoney9333]

You are indeed a lucky person. I first heard this song on the fabled WBCN-FM hosted by the equally fabled Charles Laquidara and from the first this song made me so happy.

[@bobmoses9229]

@@sharonmahoney9333 Hu Sharon Yes I AM very lucky and SO blessed to have known and played with Jim Pepper. He's in my top 4 saxophonists ever in terms of being moved by his playing. He was a crazy cat and suffered much hardship in his life but his great Spirit and luminous sound will live on. If you can find it, check out Pepper's Pow Wow which features songs based on peyote chants and other Native American material. It's a masterpiece. Love Always Hu Ra Kalam

[@mikkalinka9781]

@@sharonmahoney9333 WBCN & Charles Laquidara.....miss those radio days something fierce!

[@PhilLanghals]

I've had this song in my head for the last 2 weeks after many years of never hearing it. Such a happy feel good song. love it missed it

[@Aiden057]

I was remembering this song and worried it might be getting lost, but, it's not. Great posting, thank you. Jim Pepper!

[@mazsenior]

First heard this song on the movie “Sleepers” (circa 1998). Fell in love with it immediately, though the scene it was playing on was brutal…but it fit so well. Thanks for posting this.

[@billcheek8043]

It always makes me cry. and feel cleansed when it ends.

[@danielrowley8409]

I heard this first on the Steve Dahl radio show in the 80's. Amazing song. The monotone chant against the glorious music that wraps around it, spiritual and inspiring.

[@SageSmokes]

I haven't heard this for two decades. I'd forgotten how often this album got me through really rough times. What a spirit spring is bringing round my head Makes me feel glad that I’m not dead. Thank you Perma Frost. Epic of you to drop this here.

[@JustinXDuff]

Water spirit

[@cheryldelabar6635]

❤😅😂🎉you guys rule literally

[@April1957]

love this song - can't help but smile and sing and dance to it!!

[@nichtnervos7850]

jazz pub :)

[@Coffeexplorer]

The movie "Sleepers" sent me here, amazing scene and the music fits so well

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Awesome music!

[@genearbogast7525]

this song fixes me every time i hear it

[@1Jackatar]

Yes it sure does

[@mikekennedy2965]

I LOVE this album!

[@leecassidy4192]

Song still has its edge !remember trying to locate and purchase it finally got it in cd,same with white bird by it's. A beautiful day today!

[@colonel4binsir362]

Makes me feel glad that im not dead!!! And bless all who are

[@corinnaneubauer]

Simply the best!

[@CornerTalker]

best version

[@sadanamkhalsa5643]

Agree 100%

[@paullucchesi8604]

When we were kids Wbcn would play this song at night and loved it great memories

[@mikkalinka9781]

Charles Laquidara would play it on "the Big Mattress" also.....

[@bobh28630]

@@mikkalinka9781 WBCN was such a wonderful reflection of life at the time, Stumbled onto it in '69 and stayed tuned in till it morphed into something that would never again play the magnificence of Witchi Tai To.

[@steveorth805]

sending LOVE to you all........

[@sharonsvenson8211]

Danced to Jim Pepper in Juneau a couple times, so wonderful! 1970's

[@marioaranda711]

Grand father was right! Let the creators dream live and be passed on .......

[@2WILDFLOWER]

FLOWS So Beautifully.....

[@gabrielahochmann9683]

I am so glad to hear this song again, its so many years ago....

[@Sebastian-qf2my]

Childhood memories😚

[@joelocascio]

Exquisite.

[@joannelloyd7158]

Thank you thank you for this post

[@056024]

IT MAKE ME FEEL GROOVEY

[@Alastair6]

I love Jim Pepper! Such purity and honesty. Isn't that what it's all about?

[@rufufus]

great recording!! thanks for the upload!!

[@Gess575]

My ABSOLUTE favorite version. I had this on cassette from a radio show WMAU?UMASS~Amherst, MA '88?/9?. The epitome of ASCENSION/EXULTATION

[@redvocate]

Jim said he learned it from his grandpa in peyote-ritual but he didn't know the language or the specific meanings of the individual words, and seemed to imply that his grandpa didn't either. So maybe it's a song in a lost language that anyone can tap for beauty and power, like he did :-)

[@jessicadiskant8019]

thank you jeff. my last band did this the jim pepper w larry coryell, and the brewer and shipley version memories... its jay, i just signed in and got my partners name.thx

[@tiredace_2998]

I hear a song from a kids CD that sounded similar. Then we listened to this song in music class.

[@france492]

amazing

[@metalheadanonymous]

Feel good song :)

[@mhpjii]

WMMS-FM 100.7 Cleveland 1974

[@gawful44]

all is now beauty.

[@lucianoibanez]

I learned this song and I sing in the sweat lodge. People like to much.

[@MichaelSandberg-z2r]

A shaman s gift

[@myrrhe5151]

so far i understand is this song an indian springjoysong.....this vesiion is the first version and verry nice.....i had known only the version from jan garbarek group since the late 77...

[@ISHMAELALIB]

Met him briefly with Pepper back in 1978. I was particularly impressed by his wild funky slapping. What became of him?

[@gianfrancorocchetta8249]

magico jim pepper, un saluto dall' italia

[@chessgai]

This is a beautiful recording. Thanks for posting it.

[@rufufus]

I had the lp at one time but was forced to sell a lot of my rarer items. Any Pepper on youtube would be much appreciated!

[@DarksideOFcollages]

my favorite version Mr Jan garbarek did it. and it was the first time I heard. I only love Oregon version, A classic!

[@hinigshendl02]

total cool

[@dennisdiaz1245]

Jim Pepper was a Native American jazz musician, saxophone player & writer.

[@elvinz2]

All my relations.

[@jansen_music]

Lester Mac on bass......strong strong groove master!

[@Cornish666]

the whole album is amazing, cant see it in antigua apparently

[@h2oholic]

goose bumps

[@dirtysallysnowball]

Thanks for posting. I love this song. Does anyone know what Witchi Tai To means? Thank You.

[@brigittehugyecz475]

Genial

[@carletonhoffman]

should be Tai, not Tia, right? always loved this guy and this piece. i didn't know he was living in Brooklyn and thot he recorded this before 1982.

[@myrrhe5151]

ok it has been a american nativ church song..firstly..

[@jansen_music]

Yes Lester McFarland. Do you happen to know him? We worked together for years up in Portland.

[@jocolope]

Ah Choo! Love Calling, its summer. Wanna go back further punkers. Id be careful wit dat chit paint can, mon calice...

[@ginodorilia6602]

S O U N D ! ! ! ! G I N ( ) : )

[@dannybeckwith8135]

its a peyote song of the native american church

[@boblundgren2810]

So baic

[@Wuei108]

can the lyrics be found anywhere?

[@jansen_music]

He moved to L.A. several years ago..on FaceBook

[@quinnpeckpeck66]

@dirtysallysnowball It means water spitrit feeling

[@enoboye]

Not being critical with you here, nor being a jerk, but what do you mean by this? I'm confused.

[@cyclos12]

Weirdly familiar

[@ItsNadine71335]

Witchi Tai Tai, kimarah Whoa Ron-nee Ka Whoa Ron-nee Ka Hey-ney, hey-ney, no-wah I think that`s the right spelling :)

[@chiefashley56]

Trolls, by definition, are jackasses. The Prosecution rests.

[@violetrose8563]

i am trying to find robbie roberts version.. i am sure that is the one i heard the most.. and of course it was when i was living in Hollywood and was in the middle of the studios.... there was a rock version.. i really do not like jazz.. how ever the version with the words> holy spirit running around my head

[@ISHMAELALIB]

Lester McFarland

[@siLveRscOpe13x]

You mean your carpet?

[@golfwangus]

E

[@hit004541]

Does somebody have the lyrics???