Eagle & Hawk is a Canadian First Nations rock group, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The core of the band consists of lead guitarist Vince Fontaine, lead singer and guitarist Jay Bodner, bass guitarist Lawrence 'Spatch' Mulhall and drummer Marty Chapman. Featured performers include traditional singer Ray "Coco" Stevenson and multi-style dancer Buffy Handel.
The group was formed by Vince Fontaine and Troy Westwood aka Little Hawk in 1994. It was started primarily as an experimental writing project that would bring in Native American and Canadian Aboriginal elements with Indigenous lyrical themes into the music. Vince (guitar) and Troy wrote their first song titled Eagle & Hawk with the first verse being "The eagle and hawk are my brothers", which set forth the musical direction of the band.
During the 2000's, the band went on to win an unprecedented 30 music awards including a Juno Award, Western Canadian Music Award and numerous Native American Music Awards, Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards and Indian Summer Music Awards.
Since 1998, Jay Bodner has been the lead singer and powerful voice for Eagle & Hawk.
Vince Fontaine, the founder and leader of Eagle & Hawk, is an Ojibway Indian from Sagkeeng First Nation, born and raised in Winnipeg. It was Vince's desire to find a musical vehicle that would give opportunity to write, experiment and eventually perform live.
Co-founder Troy Westwood is from Winnipeg and shares a deep interest in and passion for Native culture and peoples. Years later he was adopted by a traditional native teacher from Sagkeeng. Troy is a sundancer and frequently attends ceremonies. He was a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Football Club from 1993 to 2008 as the placekicker.
Vince is the primary songwriter for Eagle & Hawk. He frequently collaborates with producer Chris Burke-Gaffney (CBG). CBG was there in that first studio session in 1994 lending his producer talents to the recording of “Eagle & Hawk”, the band’s first studio single. CBG has co-written many Eagle & Hawk songs including “You Own This Town”, “Cowboys & Indians”, “Another September” and “Sacred Ground”.
Jay Bodner has co-written many Eagle & Hawk songs including “Life Is A Circle”, “Sirensong”, “I See Red” and his signature song “It’s About Time”.
"Sundancer" (Mother Earth - 2004), featuring Lawrence "Spatch" Mulhall on lead vocals, has become one of the band's most popular songs.
Over the years, Eagle & Hawk has had different players and band members.
Lead vocalists: Troy Westwood (1994 – 1996), Jody Gaskin (1996 – 1997), Jay Bodner (1998 – present)
Guitar: Vince Fontaine (1994 – present)
Bass players: Randy Booth (1994 – 1999), Jeff Monkman (1995 - 1997 – shared bass gig with Randy Booth), Clint Adams (2000 – 2001), Lawrence “Spatch” Mulhall (2002 – 2004 and 2008 – present), DJ St. Germain (2005 – 2008)
Drummers: Mike Bruyere (1995 – 1997), Steve Broadhurst (1997 – 1999 and 2005), Kevin Radomsky (2006 – 2008), Marty Chapman (1999 – 2004 and 2008 – present)
Keyboards: Gerry Atwell (2001 – present), Jaylene Johnson (2010 - presnet), Will Bonness (2010 – present)
Featured Performers: Traditional singer Wayne Stranger (1998 - 2000), traditional singer Ray “Coco” Stevenson (2004 – present), hoop dancer Bruce Fontaine (1999 - 2004) and multi-style dancer Buffy Handel (2004 – present)
Other side players and guests: Cathy St. Germain - vocals, Desiree Dorion - vocals, Sherry St. Germain – keys, vocals, Dominique Reynolds – keys, vocals, Jaylene Johnson – keys, vocals
Players that have sat in or filled in on Eagle & Hawk gigs: Brent Fitz, Donovan Bruyere, Ritchee Franzen, Blair Depape, Erin Bodner, Donny Ducharme