Congratulations to Nominees of the Indian Summer Music Awards

Image by James Loesch via Flickr

Spirit Wind Records congratulates Spirit Wind Records' recording artists Jan Michael Looking Wolf , JJ Kent, and Ben Grimes for their nominations for the ISMA (Indian Summer Music Awards).

Jan Michael Looking Wolf honored with three ISMA Nominations. A Kalapuya Native of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde with mixed Irish heritage that lives near his reservation in Western Oregon , JanMichael Looking Wolf is an accomplished recording artist with 15 CDs and 2 DVDs recorded on various record labels, earning 33 National Award Recognitions and a top ten ranking in the new age charts. In 2008, he won Native Flutist of the Year at both the Native American Music Awards (NAMMYS) and Indian Summer Music Awards (ISMA).

This was a first ever that a flutist won both in the same year.

The message in his music rings loud and clear – Equity for all people and appreciating the beauty of creation. His prior work ranges from solo traditional flute to blues, new age, and most recently alternative rock with a full band. Even though his music crosses genres, the beauty of the native sound remains with his flute playing.

A Finalist in three categories, Jan Michael leads this year’s ISMA nominations. In an interview from the studio, he says, “I appreciate this honor and am blessed to be included with the other nominees, all of them so very talented. Just being able to make music in a positive way is a tribute to my culture. Every day is a gift, every song a story to tell, every breath a way of giving thanks.” This last year has been very busy, with three separate recording projects released: His rock CD, The Looking Wolf Project received a nomination for Best Alternative Rock
Recording. Contemporary rock ballads with the native flute singing the melodies and jamming like a lead guitar, critics are hailing this as a breakthrough recording.

In addition to helping produce the CD, Jan Michael also offers lead vocals on several tracks and plays lead guitar on “Rise of the Phoenix”. Combing the talents of GRAMMY Winning Producer George Noriega and former Sony Artist Keith Sommers, The Looking Wolf Project rocks while
keeping true to its native roots.

His new Native American Flute CD, Diversity is named as a finalist for Best Flute Recording at this year’s ISMA. Diversity is a sequel to the 2008 Award Winning solo flute CD, “Unity”. It contains a mixture of masterful solo flute arrangements and gentle acoustic accompaniment. The intention of this music is to convey the beauty of the wooden native flute and its relationship to humanity. 12 different custom flutes were recorded, including vertical Brent Haines double flutes, deer bone, river reed, and an antique plains flute.

Jan Michael recorded a story CD for children with cancer entitled, The 7 Rabbits which is also nominated this year in the Spiritual Category. It is about 7 bunnies, all a different color from each direction, that share inspirational stories of their adventures along with of course,
Jan Michael’s signature flute playing. This CD was donated to the Children’s Cancer Association and subsequently distributed to children across the country.

To hear music and watch videos of Jan Michael visit www.lookingwolf.com

“JJ Kent’s music is hauntingly beautiful … his flute etches into the soul like water weaving
through canyon rock. Listen to JJ’s music whenever you feel cutoff and need to be connected to
nature. “When I listened to JJ’s new CD ‘Tate’ Topa Win’ it was obvious that he has brought us
a masterpiece of Native American Flute and Ambient New Age music.

Having George Noriega’s production further knighted this CD with the gift of true collaborative
artistry. This CD unfolds like an epic and award-winning soundtrack. Also in the spiritual category is co-nominee Ben Grimes for his CD, The Truth. Ben is one of Jan Michael’s long time flute students, he also helped produce the recording.

Other nominees this year include Michael Bucher, Joanne Shenandoah Eagle and Hawk,
JJ Kent, Mary Youngblood, Indigenous, Gabriel Ayala, Arvil Bird, Golana’, Randy Granger,
Rez Hogs, Team rez Official, Zane, Johnny Lipford, Jan Seiden, Jana Moshonee, Kevin Locke, Black Lodge, ElkSoldier, Northern Cree, Tha Tribe, Thunder Hill, Cherokee National Youth Choir, Eli Secody, and Kevin Yazzie.