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Pearl Jam bassist funds skateparks on Montana reservations ahead of Tribeca film debut
Jeff Ament, bassist for Pearl Jam, helped build skateparks on every state Native American reservation in Montana. A short documentary he scored premieres Sunday at the Tribeca Festival.
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Jeff Ament, bassist for Pearl Jam, helped fund and build skateparks on every state Native American reservation in Montana, with construction on the final park scheduled to begin in two weeks. Ament grew up in Big Sandy, Montana, and began skateboarding as a teenager. He later used earnings from the band to support construction of parks in small and isolated communities.
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Documentary and partnership The short film "Paving the Way" documents the parks' role in fostering creativity and community among Indigenous youth on the Flathead Reservation. Ament composed original music for the documentary, which premieres Sunday at the Tribeca Festival in New York.
The film follows skater and artist Alishon Kelly and was directed by Keelan Williams. It was nominated for the Big Sky Award at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. Ament's Montana Pool Service partnered with the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes on five new parks across the Flathead Reservation.
Band update Pearl Jam is scheduled to headline the Ohana festival in Dana Point, California, on September 27. The performance will mark the band's first show with a new drummer following the departure of Matt Cameron in May after 27 years. Ament said the band has begun writing new songs and plans to perform 10 to 15 shows with the replacement drummer before recording again next year.
