This is a brief bio of Jan Michael Looking Wolf, an award winning 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.

In spring of 1994, he suffered two large strokes from a very rare unknown 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 documented story.

Since then, Looking Wolf has become an accomplished Native Recording Artist with 16 CDs and 2 DVDs recorded on various Indie Record Labels - earning 39 National Award Recognitions.  Most recently, Jan Michael won the prestigious “Artist of the Year” Award at the 2009 Native American Music Awards.  He also won for NAMMY Flutist of the Year in 2008 and the “Best Native Flute” award at the Indian Summer Music Awards in 2008.  This made history as the first time ever a flutist won both in the same year.  His prior work ranges from Solo Flute, blues, jazz, classical, to Indie Rock with a full band. In 2007, the CD Spreading Wings, climbed to no. 10 on the New Age Charts.  In 2009, his native rock recording, The Looking Wolf Project, blazed new ground with world wide distribution and national recognitions.

His newest release is entitled "Breakin' Free", an edgy rock recording with his band that has a nice mix of top ten chart sounding rock songs with vocals 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 will be distributed to every reservation across the country in 2010.   His band is touring reservations and playing concerts for youth as well.

No stranger to helping others through music,in 2007 Jan Michael Looking Wolf became inspired from the efforts of the Native American Music Awards to help those in need. Specifically, NAMA's outreach to children through the Ronald McDonald House. While playing his flute one day, 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 band and performs songs from  from the rock album with a high energy stadium type show.  He also appears "solo" with beautiful solo flute, heartfelt stories, and amazing vocals.  With over 400 appearances across the country and international distribution of his music, Looking Wolf has become a well known performer.

When not performing, Looking Wolf instructs native flute classes at Oregon State University. Participants learn about the origins and history of native flutes from North America. This is the first class of its kind, making history and helping promote native culture. He also teaches “Native American Music”, a course that offers a look at the roots and journey of music from Native American people.

Through lessons, workshops and university courses, Looking Wolf has taught over 2,500 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, and now 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.”Biography last updated 12/23/2009

Conaway Nika Tillicum (all my relations)

Jan Michael Looking Wolf Reibach