Andy Wasserman has been studying the societies and music of the First Americans since 1971 when he studied Native culture with Jack Preston of the Seneca Nation at the State University of New York at New Paltz (read more about that experience HERE). In 1976 he helped Oglala Lakota leader Selo Black Crow prepare accomodations for the Sun Dance on Selo's land by the Pine Ridge Reservation in Wanblee, South Dakota.  It was there that Selo Black Crow and Lakota elders initiated Andy into their traditional sweat lodge purification ceremony.

Andy has traveled thoughout the United States in order to meet with, learn from, and assist many Native American nations. After 30 years of research that included Lakota, Dakota and Iroquios cultures, he released "Bead Songs" on CD in 2007. The entire CD project honors Andy's friend Yahhazie, a master beadwork artist and an enrolled member of the Shoshone Bannock Tribe of Fort Hall, Idaho. She created the beaded moccasins and other regalia pictured on the CD.

He plays traditional Native American flutes made by traditional flute makers Charles Littleleaf and Russell Wolf, among others, and plays drums made by Grey Wolf Drums and Cheryl and Keith Little Badger of Earthshadow Drums.

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