Flashes of Inspiration and Joy

Since childhood I have always felt inspired by Native American cultures. Their artistic, expressive, intuitive spiritual ways, incredible skills and natural respect for nature, animals, and their elders speaks to my soul and engages my imagination.

When I first heard of Joy Harjo, the Native American writer, three-term Poet Laureate of the Untied States, and artist of the Muscogee Creek Nation, I was further motivated to learn more about her. Reading her memoir Crazy Brave made such a strong impression on me, and that led to my composing Flashes of Inspiration and Joy. This composition is a tribute to her.

Early in 2019 I was delighted to have the opportunity to speak with Joy and share the 2Flutes’ recording of this composition, which is dedicated to her and featured on the 2Flutes’ 2019 album New York Tapestries.

My 2012 debut recording A Native American-Jazz Tribute/A Tune for America originally put me on a wonderful path to writing, playing, and recording more Native American-inspired music.

"...haunting interaction...beautiful...evocative tonal pallet. This CD is a listening joy." Patricia George, FLUTE TALK

"More engaging still is Flashes of Inspiration and Joy, written by Pamela Sklar... This is beautifully constructed and written by someone with a clear gift of melody; and Sklar knows how to showcase that melody, too..." Colin Clarke, FANFARE MAGAZINE

"Pamela Sklar’s hypnotic Native American flute solo... an absorbing, spiritually resonant atmosphere. Sklar’s warmly immersive playing bespeaks a deep involvement with instrument and idiom alike. Careful attention to line, phrasing, color, tempo, and ensemble..." Robert Schulslaper, FANFARE MAGAZINE