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Michael Jacobs 'Takes Five'

Giving Indian music a contemporary touch

Posted: March 6, 2005

Michael Jacobs is a member of the Western Band Cherokee Nation based in Oklahoma and, although he wasn't raised in the Native American culture, now embraces his heritage by performing contemporary Native American music. Jacobs grew up in Indiana and moved to West Allis two years ago because he fell in love with Wisconsin while touring as a musician. Winner in the best independent music category in the 2003 Native American Music Awards, Jacobs performed this weekend at the Indian Summer Festival 14th annual Winter Pow-Wow at State Fair Park. He has released two albums, "Sacred Nation" and "They Come Dancing," of his songs. He spoke to Journal Sentinel reporter Meg Jones on Sunday afternoon at the powwow.

'Takes Five'

Photo/Contributed Michael Jacobs

Q.Tell me about your music.

A. It's contemporary Native American music. I play the guitar and flute and sing. The music combines contemporary and traditional sounds - instruments like the powwow drum and guitar, which historically don't go together, but it sounds good in my music. Thematically, it's varied; it deals with life - love and hope and heartache - but I try to do it in a healing, positive way. I try to give my audience something positive to take with them.

Q.What are the origins of Native American music?

A. Native American music historically is pretty simplistic. A drum, a guy singing, a flute, some rattles. But after exposure to Europeans, it evolved, and now Native American music ranges from drums to opera. There's even a Lakota opera singer. She's actually quite good. My music commingles pop rock and folk with traditional types of music. You can pretty much find anything in native music. There's always been two types of Native American music that have remained pure - powwow music and ceremonial songs. You wouldn't find contemporary music instruments in those types of Native American music.

Q.Did your family encourage you to be a musician specializing in Native American music, or is this something you decided to do on your own?

A. It was something I decided to do on my own. My family wasn't supportive of my music career. They wanted me to get a job, which is typical of their generation. I wasn't raised in my culture. I always knew I was Cherokee, but I wasn't raised in the culture. This is a journey I started on my own 12, 13 years ago. I went to a powwow in the Southwest. There were Cherokees there, and I had this epiphany of who I was. The songs on my first album came from that journey.

Q. Is Native American music more popular in some parts of America compared to others? Is it big in Wisconsin?

A. Yes. I think it probably is (popular), although I don't have proof. I suspect it's more popular in urban areas where people have more exposure, whether it's radio or TV. There are some pretty big Native American singers from Wisconsin, like Bill Miller. He's a Stockbridge-Munsee (member). He's my hero. He just won a Grammy this year for Native American music. The Indian Summer festival - this is the winter powwow of Indian Summer - is a huge contemporary Native American music festival. That helps educate people here. It gets people excited about contemporary Native American music.

Q.Do you think of your Native American ancestors when you perform? Is your music in some way continuing tribal oral traditions?

A. Absolutely. I've written songs inspired by my ancestors and their journeys, (like) the trail of tears, and their lives and values. I would like to hope that if they could hear me perform, they would be honored by my music.