A multi-talented artist and dramatic performer known as Firefly, Jason Brown is a member of the Penobscot Indian Nation, one of five traditionally-allied Wabanaki tribal nations in the Atlantic Northeast. He grew up on Panawamskek (Indian Island), a village in the Penobscot River, which runs through his ancestral homeland in central Maine

A grandson of an elected tribal chief who successfully guided his nation in a major native rights struggle, Jason is an innovative artist who creatively draws on his Wabanaki cultural heritage. With live performance, Firefly is helping to situate Indigenous people in a modern context. As a traditional music keeper of the Wabanaki communities, he has performed for many years throughout Maine and much of the country.

In 2020, Firefly took his creative performances to a sublime level through cutting-edge technology such as projection mapping and videography. This new turn in his stagecraft culminated in a national virtual performance with the Kennedy Center’s Arts Across America series and the release of his first album, Sacred Fire. In February 2023, Firefly debuted his futuristic combination of traditional vocals and electronic music to 6,000 attendees at the historic Merrill Auditorium in Portland, Maine.

In April 2023 Firefly had the honor of being the first Wabanaki to perform at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. That same month Firefly appeared in the world premiere of “militakwat” at the University of Maine in Orono. For this collaboration with the 127 year-old Bangor Symphony Orchestra, Firefly created a 3-part movement rooted in Wabanaki songs. He is the first Wabanaki to collaborate with this orchestra in its long history. This dramatic performance and his stage spectacular outfit are featured in an exhibition at the Maine Historical Society in Portland, Maine.

For many years Firefly has visited and performed for schools throughout Maine. His interactive performances have been shared with individual classes, entire school assemblies and with 4,000 students from the greater Portland school district at the grand Merrill Auditorium. Firefly shares traditional and futuristic songs, dazzling visuals and interacts with students and audiences inviting them on stage to perform traditional instruments as well as popular call-and-response singing and the sharing of traditional Indigenous dances.

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In the spirit of collaboration, Firefly actively works with other creatives of any nation or background, helping to strengthen the importance and understanding of creative people. Firefly has the vision of bringing future performances to international audiences.

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