Jack Gladstone grew up immersed in the rich oral tradition of the American West. His great, great grandfather Red Crow, legendary chief of the Blood Tribe, was a great warrior and orator. Another grandfather was William Gladstone, a carpenter who helped build Montana's Fort Benton and Alberta's Fort Whoop Up. In understanding the stories of their lives, Jack has discovered both adventure and harmony within Indian and white cultures.
Many of the stories Jack shares were related to him by his Blackfeet grandmother. She recounted the stories of her life and the mythology of their Blackfeet Indian people, something Jack holds sacred to this day. "The vibration and intonation of her voice, her gestures and flashing eyes were mesmerizing," says Jack. "In Seattle, my grandmother was the oasis of illumination for our Indian heritage." On the morning of her funeral in 1980, he wrote a moving tribute to her life thanking her for her stories, wisdom and guidance. "Speak to Me Grandma" has become a special song in each of Jack's performances.
Born in Seattle, Washington to a Montana Blackfeet father and a German American mother, Jack was a standout scholar athlete in high school. He earned a football scholarship to the University of Washington and proudly wears a Rose Bowl Championship ring from his time with the Huskies. More importantly, he graduated with a degree in Speech Communications.
After college, Jack returned to his native homeland and put down roots. On the Blackfeet Reservation in northern Montana, he taught Public Speaking at the local community college for four years. It was during this time that he also deepened his knowledge of American Indian tradition and history.
In 1985, Jack founded a lecture series for Glacier National Park, organizing and delivering presentations focusing on Blackfeet history and culture. The interweaving of mythology and song is so popular that the "Native American Speaks" series has just completed its twelfth season and was recently presented, by The Council for American Indian Interpretation, an award for "excellence in the interpretation of American Indian culture."
Jack is masterful at blending legend, history and metaphor into song. With his knowledge and insightful communication skills, Jack enlightens his audiences and provides an alternative perspective of humanism, with reverence and concern for the world and all the living beings within it. From his touching and uplifting songs to his epic ballads of historical events and biographical profiles, Jack presents a clear picture in our mind of what has transpired. Recently, Jack was presented a Human Rights Award for Outstanding Community Service. The MSU-Northern Human Rights Committee, sponsors of the award, described Jack as a "bridge builder," "an ambassador of goodwill for all Indian people" and a "modern-day warrior."
Jack released his fourth album, "Noble Heart," in early 1996. It was recently nominated for "Best Independently Produced CD" by the Kerrville Music Foundation, a prestigious songwriter's organization. Other albums include "Wolves on Sea and Plain" (1988), "In the Shadow of Mt. Lassen" (1991) and "Buckskin Poet Society" (1993). In addition to music, he contributed a chapter in the book "War Against the Wolf" by Rick McIntyre, describing an American Indian point of view regarding the wolf.
Active in the National Association for Campus Activities since 1987, Jack has showcased at nineteen regional and two national conferences. In 1994, he was a nominee for a Campus Entertainment Award.
As a roster artist for Young Audiences of Montana since 1990, Jack has been delivering programs on "Native American Oral Tradition" to elementary and secondary students in Montana. He continues to receive acclaim from educators for his thought-provoking performances.
Jack's informative and inspirational shows have been enjoyed by audiences from Alaska to California and from New York to Florida. He has performed for audiences of all sizes in venues ranging from intimate house concerts to large festivals. As a mainstage concert performer, a coffeehouse entertainer or a cultural lecturer, Jack Gladstone is a multi-qualified alternative to your event programming.
Jack Gladstone is a bridge builder. His songs and stories link cultures. Mr. Gladstone is an ambassador of goodwill for all Indian people. He is genuinely humble and sincere in his efforts to promote multi-cultural awareness and in representing his culture and heritage to others. He is a modern day warrior."
Human Rights Award Montana State University-Northern
