'All Things Sparkling'

Duo finds common Christmas spirit crosses borders

John Two-Hawks, a Native American flutist from Eureka Springs, collaborated on the “Noel” CD and concert series with Finnish songstress Johanna Kurkela
John Two-Hawks, a Native American flutist from Eureka Springs, collaborated on the “Noel” CD and concert series with Finnish songstress Johanna Kurkela

John Two-Hawks believes in magic and loves "all things mystical and sparkling."

For him, Christmas has always been a special time, even during a difficult childhood when it was "a rare reprieve from the shadows around me the rest of the year."

FAQ

‘Noel’ Concerts

WHEN & WHERE — 7 p.m. Thursday at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art & 7 p.m. Dec. 5, Eureka Springs City Auditorium

COST — $10 at Crystal Bridges; $15 at the Aud

INFO — 657-2335 Crystal Bridges; 253-1732 the Aud

"Just the notion there was a Santa Claus and a flying reindeer was always very meaningful to me," he says. "I got up one night when I was about 6 years old and saw a red light up in the sky, and I was convinced it was Rudolph. I haven't lost that childlike wonder. Even today, one of my favorite things to do is watch Rudolph, and instantly I am 10 years old again!"

Johanna Kurkela, on the other hand, "has always dreamt of experiencing the Yuletide traditions in the States. I've never tried pumpkin pie, for instance! There's a lot to look forward to."

The two musicians -- one a Grammy- and Emmy-nominated Lakota flutist from Eureka Springs, the other a successful performer in Europe -- met via a mutual connection with Tuomas Holopainen, the keyboardist and songwriter for the Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. This year, they are celebrating the holidays together.

"I became friends with John and his wife last year when I finally had the opportunity to visit them in Eureka Springs," Kurkela says. "By then I had already been enjoying John's music for some years, and meeting him in person only emphasized the effect. Pretty soon we started talking of a musical collaboration together. And finally, when I got the invitation to make a guest appearance on John's upcoming Yuletide tour, we started working on the repertoire, which ended up becoming the album 'Noel.' This year I also finished my seventh studio album here in Finland. I've always worked as a solo artist. I guess the desire to try out something new was also what sprung me up on this exciting journey."

Kurkela says the whole thing "felt very natural, since John was heading out to do a Yuletide tour anyway. And we both love the holidays!"

Two-Hawks calls Kurkela his "celestial sister" and says there's "just something about our two souls. When you're in the room with her, you feel like you're in the presence of some kind of angel. She's kind. She marvels at the smallest things. She has a childlike heart -- and her voice is heavenly."

The 11-song CD was a challenge for Kurkela, who had never done an album in English, Two-Hawks says, "even though she's so fluent you almost can't tell English is her second language. She was a little timid about taking that leap. But this was a safe way to do it." Classics like "The First Noel," "Silent Night," "Carol of the Bells" and "O Holy Night" are "songs she knows well."

While the inspiration might have come from the heart, the realization came from the internet, Two-Hawks admits. He recorded flute and vocals in his studio in Eureka Springs, Kurkela added her parts in her studio in Finland, and he added them to the previously recorded tracks. They rehearsed for the tour via Skype.

In fact, it's the tour that most excites Kurkela.

"I hope it will yield many memorable moments and smiling hearts for us all gathered around music," she says. "For me, the live shows have always been where the magic of music truly happens. It is like a great campfire inviting us all to halt for a while, share stories and let the warmth of the flames restore our spirits anew. I sense a lot of love in those moments."

Two-Hawks and his wife, Peggy Hill, won't be home for Christmas this year -- they'll be participating in the Chief Big Foot Memorial Ride in South Dakota -- but the halls of their home are already decked for the season in anticipation of Kurkela's arrival on Tuesday.

"We wanted Johanna to have that experience."

NAN What's Up on 11/27/2015

Upcoming Events