John Paul Anthony Zuni-Slagle, Jr.

We caught up with Multi-Talented Artist, John Paul Anthony Zuni-Slagle, Jr. and asked him to share "5 Facts" with us. This is what he said.

JOHN PAUL WITH TALEA AND ALEISTER KIRVEN

1. I grew up on the Isleta Pueblo Reservation in New Mexico. My family is some of the oldest original inhabitants dating back to the first Spanish contact of the 1500’s.

2. I can play a few instruments such as piano, guitar, and bass. Music was a large part of my up bringing, and when I was younger I was in a rock and roll group with some friends.

3. Along with music, I love to draw and paint, and I think those were always my first passions. My family on the reservation are all artists ranging from blanket and rug makers to pottery and even jewelry.

4. I’m earning a degree in Architecture and Interior Design. Growing up, I was always fascinated by my great grandfather, he was a Navajo Code Talker during WWII and when it was over, he became an architect and engineer. He helped create housing and resources on the Navajo Nation and parts of northwestern New Mexico. This has always inspired me to want to do something like that.

5. I have a fairly large record collection from the 1960's. Growing up, there was always an array of music around me, but I always loved music from this decade specifically.

When I was 8 years old, my grandparents bought me a cardboard portable record player (that actually worked!) at a garage sale. The first records they got me was the original Pink Panther soundtrack by Henri Mancini from 1963 and it just kinda went from there. Any artist from then I probably have their album. I have everything from Motown to The Beatles to The Mamas and The Papas and even obscure things like a moog synth instrumental record of popular hits 1969.

Follow John Paul at: FB @johnpaul.zuni, IG @jaz80231

JOHN PAUL WITH DEBI SLAGLE