Waterbird's Nest: Featured Performer - Jan Michael Looking Wolf Reibach

Dale Auger

Dale Auger: On Art, Blood and Kindred Spirits
by Terri Mason

Defining Dale Auger in one sentence is akin to releasing the colours of a diamond in one cut. It can’t be done. It’s the many facets that release a diamond’s true brilliance, as it is the many facets of Auger’s life, education, ancestry, experiences and beliefs that have shaped and polished his work into the internationally acclaimed and collected artist that he is today.

Born a Sakaw Cree from the Bigstone Cree Nation in northern Alberta, Auger’s education began as a young boy when his mother would take him to be with the elders. “I used to say to myself, ‘Why is she leaving me with these old people?’ – but today I see the reason; I was being taught in the old way.”

Auger’s respect for traditional teachings led him on a journey to study art, opening the door to a doctorate in education. He is a talented playwright, speaker and visual artist whose vividly coloured acrylics have captured the attention of collectors that reads like an international ‘Who’s Who’ spanning English to Hollywood royalty. The essence of his work is communication, and now Dr. Auger has come full circle, interpreting the life of his culture – from the everyday to the sacred - through the cross-cultural medium of art.

Read the rest here:

http://www.daleauger.com/printversionbio.cfm

Monday, February 4, 2008

Featured Performer - Jan Michael Looking Wolf Reibach

Jan Michael Looking Wolf is a Kalapuya Native American from the Grande Ronde Tribes in NW Oregon. He lives on the reservation with his family and is committed to the path of the native flute. Recording artist, performer, teacher, songwriter, and flute historian, are all descriptions of Looking Wolf's involvement with this ancient instrument. He plays 7 other instruments and has been a musician for over 20 years. With a wide range of styles, Looking Wolf travels from pure solo traditional flute to complex contemporary compilations with multiple instrument accompaniment and vocals.

Each of Looking Wolf's recordings are very different from one another. They range from solo traditional flute, blues and jazz, classical, and flute with contemporary accompaniment. However, always maintaining the focus on the native flute, earning national recognition.

Looking Wolf performs many times a year at various events. Solo flute and presentations with a full band of world instruments. Large concerts, festivals, personal appearances at schools, and non-profit fundraisers. From 2002 to 2005, he has performed at over 200 appearances including: Events with Grammy Winner Mary Youngblood, Carlos R. Nakai, Robert Mirabal, Charles Littleleaf, and for the Oregon Governor, the EPA, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Federal Government Agencies, Tribal Leaders at the Oregon Tribal Summit, ONABEN, and a 7,000 person environmental conference in Portland, Oregon.

He has a five piece world instrument group that sometimes plays at concerts with him called, "Rainbow Tribe". This provides for a dynamic presentation designed for larger audiences. Looking Wolf is frequently requested to perform as a solo act as well, with songs and traditional stories.

When not performing, Looking Wolf instructs 'Introduction and History of the Native American Flute', a 3 credit course at Oregon State University where participants learn about the origins and history of native flutes from North America and also learn how to play.

Native Flute music by Looking Wolf is being featured in the motion picture TILLAMOOK TREASURE that will be released into theatres in 2006! He also has a part in the movie as a native flutist which was filmed in fall of 2005. In the modern day scene, Looking Wolf is playing on the beach with Floyd Red Crow Westerman (from the movie Dances with Wolves).

Even though his first recordings were not until early 2002, Looking Wolf has been involved in music since he was 11 years old when he learned to play classical guitar. After that he moved on to other instruments - the piano, bass guitar, and percussion. In 1994, he suffered two large strokes from a rare genetic disorder prone to Native Americans and was a paraplegic for almost a year. After a miraculous 100 healing, he focused on native spiritual practices and traditions. During this period he received his first native flute as a gift.

He reflects, "From the first time I played it, I knew that this was the reason I survived the strokes. I could actually hear my ancestors through it. Every breath we have is a gift from Creator, so the songs also belong to him."

If you are interested in more information, Jan Michael Looking Wolf is available for interviews and appearances. Contact Cedarfeather Productions for scheduling and touring information - www.cedarfeather.com or by phone 503 474-0975.

To sample some of his work click here: http://www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/987632-Music-Inspirational