THE ARTS
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Mary Youngblood
The introductory theme and additional music for the Sierra Nevada Virtual Museum is provided by Mary Youngblood, courtesy of Silver Wave Records. 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 Carmichael 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). Other awards and nominations include: 2002 Native American Music Awards 2002 WINNER - Best New Age Recording for - BENEATH THE RAVEN MOON 2001 Native American Music Awards 2001 WINNER - Best Compilation for - "WOLVES" In 2003, Mary received the Grammy Award for Best Native American Album for her Beneath the Raven Moon. Each of Youngblood's recordings is different stylistically. Her debut The Offering is a solo flute recording that was recorded live 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. 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 has 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 in 2000. 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). In 2004, Mary released Feed the Fire. It is this album that provides music for the Sierra Nevada Virtual Museum. Feed the Fire offers fresh and unique performances on the Native American flute with her signature melodies and sweet vocals framed in captivating arrangements spanning a variety of musical styles. The album features special guest appearances by Ian Anderson, Bill Miller, and Joanne Shenandoah. In 2002, Mary was performed at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. In September 2004, Mary was a featured performer at the opening of the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian Washington, D.C. 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 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." Sierra Nevada Virtual Museum Music from Feed the Fire, performed by Mary Youngblood. Courtesy of Silver Wave Records, Boulder, CO USA. 1-800-SIL-SAVE www.silverwave.com Music from Feed the Fire -- Courtesy of Silver Wave Records, Boulder, CO USA. “Destiny” by Mary Youngblood (4:58) From the liner notes: “For my sister Carol M.”  |