About Jan Michael Looking Wolf

Musician/Educator/Author/Humanitarian

Kalapuya Tribal Elder and honored Army Veteran, Jan Michael is a world renowned Native American Flute Player and educator who has dedicated his life to sharing inspiration and hope through music with a message of One Heart. Jan Michael is the great grandson of Santiam Kalapuya Tribal Chief Joseph Sangretta, who was a signer of the Willamette Valley Treaty. Jan speaks his Tribal language and stays closely involved with the Tribal communities.

One of the World's most notable Native American Flute recording artists with 32 commercial recordings, top 10 new age radio, over 800 performances garnering 77 music awards including:
- 6-time Native American Music Awards Winner - Artist of the Year, Flutist of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Music Video (2), Best Pop Single
- Global Music Awards Lifetime Achievement
- One World Music Radio Hall of Fame Inductee
- Indigenous Superstar Lifetime Achievement
- Peace Star Award from Oregonians for Peace
- Hero Award by the Children's Cancer Association
- Indigenous Music Award Winner
- ISMA Flutist of the Year

In addition to his Native American Flute artistry, Jan Michael is a 22 year university instructor of accredited courses in Native American Flute and Cultural Diversity where is has taught over 21,000 students how to play the NAF.

A path of healing...

Following two strokes from a rare hereditary enzyme disorder prone to Native American people, Jan Michael was a paraplegic for almost a year in his late 20s. His prognosis was to be paralyzed the rest of his life and never walk again. After returning to his Tribal Reservation, Jan Michael received a miraculous healing and recovery. It was during that time that he connected deeply with the Native American Flute on his Tribal Reservation.

Traveling a broad range of musical styles with 32 commercially released albums on 6 different record labels spanning 4 decades, his recordings have garnered 77 awards and a top 10 ranking in the global radio charts. In addition to his own albums, Jan Michael has collaborated with many other well-known artists, introducing the Native American inspired music into genres such as folk, instrumental, pop, blues, rock, and hip-hop/rap. He has composed arrangements for video productions and feature film.

Jan Michael has dedicated his life to performing, teaching, and sharing the beauty of musical self-expression through his Native American Flute music and message of One Heart.

“During the journey here, I have found it is true that we are all related. Everyone across mother earth comes from an indigenous ancestor. Music is the common language that we all share, it can bring healing for the world.”

Jan Michael is the recipient of four Lifetime Achievement Awards from top music organizations. In 2022, he was presented with Lifetime Achievement at the Indigenous Superstars Awards, based out of Canada. In 2020, Jan Michael received the Global Music Awards' highest honor. He was presented with the Odyssey Award for Lifetime Achievement in Music. Just the previous year he became the first Native American in history to be inducted into the Music Hall of Fame by One World Music Radio with their Lifetime Achievement. Previously, Spirit Wind Records (New York) presented Jan Michael with awards for Lifetime Achievement and Humanitarian.

One of the most honored Native American recording artists in history, he has also received 18 Global Music Awards, an Indigenous Music Award, 3 Indian Summer Music Awards, 6 Native American Music Awards with 42 nominations there, the OFP Peace Star Award, and 2 One World Music Radio Awards for Best Native American Recording.

From the Global Music Award Founder and Executive Director, Thomas Baker Ph.D, “You may be wondering why we chose to honor Jan Michael Looking Wolf with Global Music Awards’ most important award of the year. Jan’s talent, creativity, quality of his work and generous contributions to other musicians are unique in the field of music. We appreciate his insistence on using and supporting the crafters of authentic Native American musical instruments. Jan has been a pivotal force in promoting and sharing both traditional and new Native American music in America and around the world. We are thrilled and honored to award him our highest award, our Odyssey Award for Lifetime Achievement in Music.”

Visit the Global Music Awards for more about the Lifetime Achievement Award for Jan Michael

Click here for a full list of awards and honors that Jan Michael has received.

Following years of research of the Native American Flute, Jan Michael created a curriculum for an accredited university course which he has instructed regularly for over 22 years. He has authored two published books: “One Heart - Journey with the Native American Flute”, an inclusive eBook, and “The First Flute”, an inspirational fictional story published by Red Deer Press.

Through his university courses and workshops, Jan Michael has taught over 21,000 people how to play the Native American Flute in person. Plus thousands more with his On Demand Video Workshops and Lessons. He is commonly referred to as the leading educator of the Native American Flute.

During the pandemic, he founded the World Flute Circle, an international group of flute players that played online, and an international Native American Flute awards program.

With help from his family, Jan Michael provides an honor-recognition awards program for players and makers of the Native American Flute. The One Heart Award is presented for outstanding contribution to the community with the NAF.

Jan Michael is taking a pause from touring and full concerts. Though he continues to teach and advocate for world peace.

He is available for limited appearances such as a music performance, land acknowledgements with an honor song on the Native American flute, event keynote speaker, and lecture/musical/cultural presentations at universities.

What's next? Jan Michael is composing traditional (Intertribal) Native American Flute music for a new album with 12 songs that also features fellow flute player Robin Gentlewolf. They hope for a release in 2027-2028. The full album will include a variety of traditional flute with Tribal drums, chants and stories. The digital release will come with a pdf e-book that features the stories, cultures, and details of the project.

“May you always walk in Beauty, may you always live in Peace, and may we all join together in Harmony.”