The music of Wes Ricks is beautiful, filled with harmony, tradition and spirit. It is not surprising that many people tell him that his music goes straight to the heart and soul. Wes’ instrument of choice is the pentatonic flute. Ricks is a native to Arizona. He emerged into the music world after the death of his wife Margie in 2007. Since then, he has traveled all over the world, worked with many different artists and continues to produce music. While attending the 2012 Kaua‘i Powwow, I heard his sound and was immediately attracted to it like metal to a strong magnet. I never heard anything so fluid and calm and peaceful before.
Kaua‘i Times: It says in your biography that you started your musical career in Vietnam. Can you tell me about that?
Wes Ricks: Actually, what happened is I was patrolling — I was a river-rat. When you’re at there, at night time by yourself, you’re lonely. I heard the sounds of flutes and what have you, and when I returned home the sounds of those flutes never (left) me. One day, I was walking down Arizona Mills Mall and as soon as I entered I heard flutes. I heard this sound over all the music and all these shops. I asked my wife Margie if she heard the flute, and she said no. I started to think I was hearing things. Keep in mind that I heard these flutes in Vietnam, during nighttime, but there was nobody blowing the flute while I was patrolling in Vietnam. I asked my wife again if she heard the flute; I was getting disgusted at this point because she didn’t believe me. Finally, she heard it. We met Sagio, the Native American artist playing the flute. After we introduced ourselves, Sagio told me that as soon as he saw me, he knew that I was going to blow the flute. I purchased my first flute from him and the rest is history.
KT: What kind of projects are you working on?
WR: I’m working on the movie “Young Eagle, Distant Thunder.” Let me tell you how I got that movie deal. Lori Piestewa is the first Native American woman killed in combat. I was praying at her ceremony last March and the author of the book “Young Eagle, Distant Thunder.” Paul Goodiron, was there listening to my music. The next morning, his son came to him in a dream and told me that I was the person to score the movie and do the soundtrack. Paul told me that on his way back to North Dakota. Paul told me that I would be working with producer Tom Loftus and composer Rod Hudak. Tom, the producer, said that I am going to win a Grammy because my music is going to be heard. The record company already stated that I was going to win a Grammy. That’s great, but all I want to do is make great music. The Navajo people, the Pima people all say that my music goes to the heart and to the soul. You heard of Carlos Nakai, the renowned Native American flute player?
KT: No, I haven’t.
WR: Well, I know two of his cousins and they came up to me one day while I was playing at a VA hospital. They told me that I play beautifully, and that they didn’t start listening to native music until they heard me play. They also told me that they didn’t even listen to their cousin’s music. (Laughs) I told them if they were serious. They said yeah. They told me, like a lot of other people, that my music goes to the heart and soul. I didn’t realize that I do that. All I’m doing is what God is putting in me; I’m just a vessel.
KT: Is there anything else you would like to say, Wes?
WR: I really look forward to coming back to Kaua‘i. They wanted me play on O‘ahu, but I can’t because I have to play in Phoenix.
The last time I was in Hawai‘i was in 1966, on my way to Vietnam. But yeah, I really look forward to coming back. Next year, they want us to play in three different powwows in Hawai‘i and I would be happy to come back.
