Mary Youngblood - Native American musician
Bio: Bending tradition, Mary Youngblood is a modern American Indian woman of one half Aleut (Alaskan) and one half Seminole (Floridian) descent. With her children, she currently resides in Northern California. Youngblood is often touted as the first Native American female to professionally record the Native flute. Verifying her talent and mastery of this ancient instrument traditionally played only by men, she was the first woman to win the 'Flutist of the Year' award in both 1999 and 2000 as well as, the 'Best Female Artist' award in 2000 at the Native American Music Awards (NAMMYS).
Each of Youngblood's three recordings are different stylistically from one another. Her debut 'The Offering' is a solo flute recording that was recorded live to DAT in the huge underground chamber of the Moaning Cavern in California. These natural acoustics lend an amazing echo and organic quality to the distinctly memorable melodies that Youngblood creates with her flutes.
"In addition to the haunting sounds of various handcrafted wooden flutes, the listener can occasionally hear the drip of water in the cavern, which adds a surreal you-are-there feeling." -Monterey County Herald News
'Heart of the World' found Youngblood weaving her flute melodies with the lush accompaniment of guitar, percussion and the exquisite voice of Joanne Shenandoah. The impetus for this recording is the U'wa people of the Rainforest in South America who are struggling to save their land from drilling development by oil companies. Heart of the World is the name the U'wa have given their native land in South America and proceeds from each sale of this album benefit their resistance struggle. 'Heart of the World' won numerous awards and accolades including:
'BEST NATIVE AMERICAN RECORDING'
Association for Independent Music INDIE Award - 2000
Youngblood's newest release, 'Beneath the Raven Moon', can be considered a poetic concept album. The title of each track is a line from a poem written by Youngblood. Thematically, this album is all about the human condition; growth, interaction, and journeys. For the first time ever, this album also showcases Youngblood's strong voice harmonizing along with her many flutes. Further instrumentation is arranged by award winning producer Tom Wasinger who has worked on each of Youngblood's three albums. 'Beneath the Raven Moon' explores Youngblood's exemplary flute playing with other American music styles such as Classical and Blues (two of Youngblood's favorite genres).
"Mary Youngblood brings a fresh perspective to original melodies." -Dirty Linen Magazine
Mary Youngblood co-founded the Northern California Flute Circle and is a secretary on the board of directors for the Sacramento Urban Indian Health Project. Youngblood has a lifetime of musicianship behind her. She started with piano lessons at age six, violin at eight, classical flute and guitar at ten. As an adult, when Youngblood received her first wooden Native flute, she was driven to pursue the mastery of this instrument so tied to her own heritage. Now years later with three unique and accomplished albums under her belt, Youngblood owns over 125 hand carved Native flutes in her collection and uses a wide variety of them throughout every one of her albums. Each of her flutes is masterfully crafted from different types of wood, bringing a unique sound and texture to each song.
When Youngblood performs it takes only a moment to acknowledge the profound spirituality of the sacred Native American flute and its historical courtship and wooing attributes. Her haunting music is much more than a song ... it's liquid poetry, a prayer. Mary Youngblood takes little credit for the intense emotions people feel when they listen to her music. "I am only a vessel between Creator and this instrument. As a sculptor would tell you, the clay has a spirit of its own and decides what it will become; so it is with the flute. These songs came from those who walked before me."
