Jan Michael Looking Wolf interviewed by UpPhront Host Warren Michaels

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Jan Michael Looking Wolf

Three-time Native American Music Award Winner

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This is a brief bio of Jan Michael Looking Wolf, renowned Native American Flute recording artist and performer. Looking Wolf is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and resides close to his reservation in Western Oregon. He is a Kalapuya Native with Celtic decent who is committed to the path of the native flute…. A path of healing…..A path of PEACE.

Jan Michael's lifeway and musical expressions are based on the Native American Tradition of 'One Heart'. In short, it is the belief that we are equal regardless of the color of our skin, tribal affiliation, language we speak, income, gender, faith, nationality, etc. It is the recognition of Unity through Diversity.

In spring of 1994, he suffered two large strokes from a very rare genetic enzyme disorder and had blood clots pass through his heart and cause bleeding in the lungs. As a result from the strokes, he was paralyzed on the entire left side of his body. He received a miraculous healing and recovered 100% from the strokes.  read the full story of his healing here

Since then, Looking Wolf has risen to a world class Native American Flute Recording Artist with 17 CDs and 3 DVDs recorded on various Indie Record Labels - earning 47 National Award Recognitions. Most recently, Jan Michael won the awards - Record of the Year (2010 for "Breakin' Free") and for Artist of the Year (2009 for "The Looking Wolf Project") at the Native American Music Awards. He also won won the saught after Native American Music Award for Flutist of the Year in 2008 and the “Best Native Flute” award at the Indian Summer Music Awards in 2008 for his solo Native American Flute CD, "Unity". This made history as the first time ever a flutist won both within the same year. His prior work with the native flute ranges from Solo Flute, blues, jazz, classical, to Indie Rock with a full band. In 2007, his music climbed to no. 10 on the New Age Charts.

His 2009 release that was named Record of the Year is entitled "Breakin' Free", an edgy rock recording with his band that has a mix of top ten chart sounding rock songs with powerful vocal performances and some hard hitting instrumental tracks with his legendary native flute solos. A release with Spirit Wind Records out of Pulaski, NY, critics are hailing the recording as "the new voice of native rock" and "groundbreaking". Donald Blackfox, CEO of Spirit Wind Records, describes Jan Michael's latest rock effort as "some of the most amazing native flute performances in history. Jan Michael's vocals on Breakin' Free are world class as well, his new band is amazing!"

"Breakin' Free" is part of an effort by Jan Michael to give back to native communities by supporting drug and alcohol prevention for native youth. This new CD and anti-drug abuse posters were distributed to every reservation across the country in 2010. His band played at reservations for youth as well.

After a successful three-year journey into the rock genre with his Native American flutes and a full touring band, In 2010 Jan Michael Looking Wolf returns to his roots with the new recording “Message From the Sun”. Produced and released by the label High Spirits out of Arizona, Jan Michael again delivers masterful wooden Native American flute performances that took nearly a year to record. With over a dozen flutes, each with heartfelt musical expressions that range from solo flutes with a gentle canon sound, double flutes, three flute harmonies, and flute with upbeat natural world percussion. One of the most renowned native flutists in the world, Jan Michael takes his artistry of the instrument to a new level.

Also in 2010, he released "Live As One" a new single and best of 2 disks set along with a special music video filmed live during the Native American Music Awards that same year in Niagra Falls, NY.

Jan Michael is currently in the studio finishing up his new Rock LP with producer Keith Sommers and a slew of well-known musicians.  It is slated for release the Fall of 2011.  More details about this exciting project are forthcoming.

Back in 2007, Jan Michael was struck with a vision of a special CD that would help children with cancer in their journey. He gathered his family and friends around and shared about his idea of a children's story CD entitled, "Seven Rabbits" that would include stories from seven bunnies, each a color of a direction. Overcome with emotion, Jan Michael contacted producer Keith Sommers and immediately worked in the studio on the project. The result was incredible, a story CD that shares hope, healing, and inspiration based on both traditional native lore and contemporary settings with Jan Michael's flute music. Working through national organizations such as The Children's Cancer Association (CCA), The Native Peoples Circle of Hope, and most recently The Cancer Navigation Program, thousands of copies of Seven Rabbits have now been distributed to kids across the country. Jan was recognized with a "hero award" by the CCA in 2007 for this project. “Seven Rabbits” is a reflection to the power of Native American Music and the human heart.

Jan Michael partnered with Donald Blackfox and Spirit Wind Records in 2009 and produced a homeless benefit CD Entitled, Rise Up: Songs from Native America. The CD has music from 21 artists with an intention of raising awareness of the homeless crisis in America and raising funds for shelters.

Native Flute music by Looking Wolf is featured in the motion picture TILLAMOOK TREASURE that is now released onto DVD. He also has a part in the movie as a native flutist! In the modern day scene, Looking Wolf is playing on the beach with Floyd Red Crow Westerman (from the movie Dances with Wolves). For more information about the movie go to www.tillamooktreasure.com.

What to expect with Jan Michael in concert? For most venues he appears with his acoustic trio that performs a mix of native flute instrumental and folk based music. He also appears "solo" with beautiful solo flute and the story of one heart. With over 400 appearances across the country and international distribution of his music, Looking Wolf has become a very well known Native American Flutist and human rights activist.

Through lessons, workshops and university courses, Looking Wolf has taught over 5,000 people how to play the native flute. Even with all the success musically and the emergence as a nationally known performer, Looking Wolf maintains a focus on family and healing. For years, he studied the indigenous principles of One Heart with his life and music are founded on them.

“I would like to thank all my family, Tribe, friends, and fans for the great support of the music. During the journey here, I have found that it is true that we are all related…It is important to respect all cultures, after all, everyone and everything is born to the earth and sky. May you all be blessed and have a full life filled with good health, laughter and one heart"

---Jan Michael Looking Wolf

Biography last updated 9/09/11