Coyote Oldman

Coyote Oldman is a duo of New Age musicians consisting of Native American flute players Barry Stramp and Michael Graham Allen. The name Coyote Oldman is derived from the trickster archetype in Native American mythology. Alabama-born Michael Graham Allen met Barry Stramp in 1981 at an Oklahoma City crafts fair. Their music can be described as New Age electronica. The duo play Japanese and Indian flutes, Incan pan-pipes, ocarinas and Native American pipes, as well as contemporary instruments such as guitars and keyboards.   Oklahoma-bred Barry Stramp is a classical-trained concert flautist, while Michael Allen is a manufacturer of handmade flutes as well as being a musician. Since 1987 they have released 12 albums.   (wiki)   * * *   by Heather Phares   Coyote Oldman mixes technology, music, and culture in a unique, timeless blend. Flutists Michael Graham Allen and Barry Stramp combine their experience with the flutes history in the cultures of the world with a modern outlook and studio approach that gives their albums an innovative depth. The duo — named after the trickster of Native American mythology and Allens own flute company — met at a 1981 Oklahoma City crafts fair where Allen sold his hand-made flutes. Their shared interest in what was at the time a relatively obscure part of music history sparked a friendship and creative partnership. Allens deep background in researching, making, and playing flutes complements Stramps classical training in concert flute and recording skills; in Coyote Oldmans music, Japanese and Indian flutes, Incan pan-pipes, ocarinas, and Native American pipes meet in innovative electronic settings. With Allens compositions and playing and Stramps studio wizardry, virtual ensembles of traditional and hybrid flutes join keyboards and guitar in modern compositions of echoing beauty.