Episode 92 - Mary Youngblood - Seminole and Aleut

Explicit

Mary Youngblood, a citizen of the Seminole and Aleut Nations, is a groundbreaking musician and the first woman to professionally record the Native flute. She is also the first woman to win not just one, but two Grammy Awards for Best Native American Music Album. A classically trained flutist, Mary’s lifelong journey in music began with piano lessons at the age of six and expanded to guitar at ten. Her artistic path has always been rooted in a deep connection to both music and her cultural identity.

It wasn’t until adulthood that Mary was gifted her first wooden Native flute—a moment that marked the beginning of a passionate commitment to an instrument traditionally played only by men. Her compositions, which blend classical, blues, and traditional Native sounds, are haunting and melodic, resonating with audiences across generations. With a  ...