Canadian First Nations singer, composer and pianist Jeremy Dutcher offered an inspiring, heartfelt concert at Icehouse in Minneapolis on Friday evening, part of the Great Northern Festival of art and cultural events, winter activities, cuisine and conversation. Dutcher, along with guitarist Christine Bougie and percussionist Stefan Schneider, performed tunes from the artist’s celebrated debut album “Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa,” which adapt early 19th-century recordings of Indigenous music sung in the Wolastoqiyik language, and the bilingual 2023 album “Motewolonuwok,” sung partly in English. Dutcher often sang and played piano simultaneously. His lanky figure curved on the piano bench and his long curls dangled over the keys. His upper torso undulated slightly as he played. Trained in opera, Dutcher’s voice had heft and versatility. At times, he used a breathy, bell-like sound, leaning on the open vowels of the language to allow the notes to soar.  At other times, he belted out songs like a Broadway singer, and used a falsetto voice as well. He also performed standing for a handful of songs, playing a clapper stick as a percussive handheld instrument. Throughout the show, Dutcher chatted with the audience about how the songs came together, with personal history, political and social commentary, and good-natured charm shining through. Dutcher devoted the first half of the concert to the songs from “Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa.” He researched First Nations wax cylinder recordings of Wolastoqiyik traditional songs at the Canadian Museum of History for the album. The Icehouse performance of the songs layered those recordings from over 100 years ago with the singer’s brassy tenor voice and flowing piano playing. In the first two songs (and at the end of the show), guitarist Bougie played a lap steel guitar, creating a remarkable range of sounds with the instrument. There were moments where Bougie’s technique made it sound like a flute or wind instrument was joining the trio of musicians. Schneider, on the drums, helped shift the style of the different songs, especially in the second half of the program when Dutcher leaned into a pop sensibility with jazz and blues coloring the works. Many of the songs had a catchy, rousing beat. Dutcher shared with the audience how much he felt inspired by Nina Simone, and channeled the singer’s righteous fire in the bilingual song “Pomawsuwinuwok Wonakiyawolotuwok” (People are Rising). With sweeping emotion, Dutcher shifted between English and his Native language in the swelling music. Ending the performance, Dutcher performed a wonderfully cheeky blues piece adapted from a British folk song, “Johnny Be Gay if You Can Be,” followed by an honor song, where the three musicians channeled the chanting, beat-driven spiritual song tradition. The song incorporated stomping and the thrumming beat of the drum, while Dutcher’s singing became chant-like even while it stayed melodic. The powerful music filled Icehouse with electricity, and several audience members stood for the song — not as if to give a standing ovation, but out of reverence. For an encore, Dutcher returned to the stage solo, singing once again with his clapper stick and noting he’ll be sure to include the Twin Cities the next time he tours North America. IF YOU GO Who: Jeremy Dutcher What: “Jeremy Dutcher: Motewolonuwok,” part of the Great Northern Festival When: The Great Northern Festival continues through Feb. 2. Where: Various sites in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Tickets: Prices vary. Accessibility: If you have questions, concerns or accommodation requests, contact the Great Northern at [email protected]. Capsule: First Nations singer, pianist and composer Jeremy Dutcher gave a captivating performance as part of the Great Northern Festival. Related Articles Things to Do | Concert review: Kelsea Ballerini dazzles Target Center in her local arena debut Things to Do | Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish and Charli xcx are performing at the Grammys. Here’s what to know Things to Do | Set in 1913, the politically charged musical ‘Parade’ remains utterly relevant today Things to Do | SZA to join Kendrick Lamar as a guest during Super Bowl halftime performance Things to Do | Murder charge upheld for the only suspect to face prosecution in 1996 Tupac Shakur killing