Mary Youngblood facts for kids
Mary Youngblood is an amazing American musician who plays the Native American flute. She is known for her beautiful music and for being one of the first women to achieve big awards in Native American music. Her music often shares stories and feelings through the sounds of the flute.
Contents
Meet Mary Youngblood: Flute Master
Early Life and Musical Journey
Mary Youngblood was born in Kirkland, Washington. When she was a child, she was adopted by a kind couple, Dr. Bob and Leah Edwards, who were both teachers. Mary grew up with a love for music and eventually became a master of the Native American flute.
Award-Winning Music
Mary Youngblood has won many important awards for her music. She has received three Native American Music Awards. She was the very first female artist to win "Flutist of the Year," which she won twice in a row in 1999 and 2000. She also won "Best Female Artist" in 2000.
Mary made history by becoming the first Native American woman to win a Grammy Award for "Best Native American Music Album." She is also the first Native American woman to win two Grammys! Her first Grammy was for her album Beneath the Raven Moon in 2002. Her second Grammy was for Dance with the Wind in 2006. These awards show how much her music is loved and respected.
In 2007, Mary Youngblood also created and played the flute music for a documentary film called "The Spirit of Sacajawea." This shows how her talent is used in many different ways.
Sharing Her Music
Mary Youngblood is also part of the advisory board for the World Flute Society. This group helps support and share flute music around the world. Her work helps others learn about and enjoy the Native American flute.
The Library of Congress, which is a very important library in the United States, keeps eight of Mary Youngblood's sound recordings. This means her music is preserved for future generations to listen to and study.
Albums and Recordings
Mary Youngblood has released many albums, sharing her beautiful flute music with the world. Here are some of her albums:
- Sacred Place: A Mary Youngblood Collection (2008, Silver Wave)
- Dance with the Wind (2006, Silver Wave)
- Feed the Fire (2004, Silver Wave)
- Beneath the Raven Moon (2002, Silver Wave)
- Heart of the World (1999, Silver Wave)
- The Offering (1998, Silver Wave)
Music for Others to Play
Some of Mary Youngblood's albums have even been turned into sheet music books. This means other flute players can learn to play her songs! The albums available as sheet music include:
- The Offering
- Heart of the World
- Beneath the Raven Moon
Her music has also been featured in many other musical projects and collections with other artists. This shows how her unique flute sound blends well with different styles and musicians. Some of these projects include:
- Voice of the Wind with Mary Youngblood & Michael Bayard (Live CD&DVD) (2016, Pure Motion Media)
- My Mothers Garden by Singer-Songwriter Thea
- Bears with Joanne Shenandoah, Lawrence Laughing, Lyle Lovett, Alice Gomez, and Claude Carmichael
- Prayer for Peace featuring Michel Cusson, and with Mary Youngblood, Joanne Shenandoah
- Many Blessings: A Native American Celebration with Lawrence Laughing, Joanne Shenandoah, Alice Gomez, Robert Mirabal, Tito La Rosa, and Peter Kater
- Sacred Ground: A Tribute to Mother Earth with Robert Mirabal, Star Nayea, Bill Miller, Joanne Shenandoah, Little Wolf Band, and Walela
