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Tribal Elder receives two NAMMY nominations
By Danielle Harrison
Smoke Signals editor
Tribal Elder and musician Jan Michael Looking Wolf (Reibach) has received his 41st and 42nd Native American Music Awards nominations.
Looking Wolf, 58, was nominated in the Best Americana Recording category for his song, “Native Rose” and in the Best Live Performance Video category for his video with the Native Rose Band called, “Love! Hope! Peace! Live at the PRAx!”
The nominees for the 21st annual awards were announced in November.
“The awards proudly recognize Indigenous artists from all communities across North America,” a press release stated. “This year’s awards program celebrates and features an overwhelming amount of musical talent who have produced full-length albums, single recordings and music video releases.”
Looking Wolf has been nominated for 42 Native American Music Awards and has won six so far for Flutist of the Year (2008), Artist of the Year (2009), Record of the Year (2010), Music Video of the Year (2011), Best Music Video (2017) and Best Pop Single (2018).
“This has been a long, beautiful journey with making music,” he said. “My first nomination at the Native American Music Awards was back in 2003 for a breakthrough album called “Native Blues.” It combined Tribal drums, chants and flutes with soulful authentic blues guitars and vocals. My uncle, Michael Standing Elk and Vernon Kennedy (Burns-Pauite) played guitars on that album.”
Looking Wolf said at the time, it was a huge thing for a Grand Ronde Tribal member to be nominated.
“Vernon and I travelled to Hollywood, Florida, for the awards ceremony together in early 2004,” he said. “Smoke Signals sent a reporter to cover it. While in Florida, we took a boat out to the everglades with Misasuki Tribal members. Vernon was a huge influence on my music journey and life. He taught me how to play the first notes on the flute, we often recorded and performed. Prior to that, we drummed in a group together. Vernon was a teacher to many by how he shined and loved. He was also an incredibly talented musician that loved music with all his heart.”
Vernon Kennedy walked on Friday, Nov. 15. He was the husband of Grand Ronde Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy.
“I dedicate these nominations to Vernon, his family and our Tribe,” Looking Wolf said. “Our families are the greatest awards of all. May there be flowers on our path.”
Public voting for the awards is open at www.NAMALIVE.com. The ceremony date has not yet been announced.
During his 30-year career, Looking Wolf has recorded and released more than 30 commercial albums that include musical genres from traditional solo flute, blues, jazz, new age and folk rock. His latest project is the Native Rose Band, which was founded to promote world peace and unity. Both of the NAMMY nominations are from it.
“Love! Hope! Peace! Live at the PRAx!” can be viewed at https://youtube/LRCbqMXguXg?si=wZ0LC77hgAgEx1fz.
“Native Rose” can be viewed at https://youtube/oyTikR7UJVY.
To download a free MP3 of the song, visit https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MzgtRBQj3zM2N6kcXfW58oVtgYrvmkRu/view?usp=drivesdk.