Music Commissioner Dennis “Jir” Anderson Jr.
Bio
Jir Anderson is from the Pueblos of Cochiti and San Felipe. As a singer, songwriter, and guitarist, he brings over 30 years of experience as a professional contemporary musician. Jir’s musical journey began at the age of 13 when he constructed a guitar from the family coffee table, which has since led him to extensive musical opportunities all over the world. In 2006, the Jir Project band came together with the intent of bringing contemporary native rock to the mainstream music scene. Jir Project has three Albums entitled, “Keep it Flowin”, “Sun Child” which was awarded Best Blues Album in 2011 by the North American Indigenous Image Awards, and an EP entitled “The Pueblo”, which was nominated in 2017 for the New Mexico Music Awards. In 2007, Jir founded Native Guitars Tour, an organization dedicated to providing a stage for Native America with a mission to advocate for Native Artists and Musicians as they follow their creative passions. Over the years, Native Guitars Tour has grown into a movement representing many talented Native faces throughout North America working hand-in-hand to create musical opportunities and bring resources together across the country. Native Guitars Tour has showcased Indigenous talent at various festivals and events including SXSW, House of Blues, SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market, Gathering of Nations Pow Wow, Indigenous Comic Con, Talking Stick Film Festival, Dulce Youth Festival and many more. As Native Guitars Tour continues to grow, its intent has expanded its focus on supporting the development of Native American youth artists and musicians, hoping to inspire and promote the musical and artistic passions of our future generations. When Jir is not performing with Jir Project or working on Native Guitars Tour initiatives, he is tending to his day job at AMRI Complex Science Solutions, a global contract research and manufacturing organization, where he is a supervisor and team lead on many biopharmaceutical projects that produce products to help increase the quality of life and save lives around the world. On his days off, Jir enjoys spending time with his wife and kids enjoying nature, traveling, or helping out in the community.