Love will float and glide through the air of Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall as Mary Youngblood, Grammy Award-nominated artist, gives a concert with the American Indian flute.
Plains Indians called this instrument the "Love Flute" because men once played it for women during courtship.
Youngblood, the first female professional American Indian flutist, will perform tonight at 8 p.m. as part of the Masala World Music Series.
"The more notoriety I've gotten, the more Native women there are playing this instrument," Youngblood said.
Youngblood, half Seminole, half Aleut Indian, comes from a diverse musical background, which in turn diversifies her musical style, she said. As a child, she played piano, violin, flute, guitar and took choral music lessons. In high school, she was a member of a rock band, The American Truckin' Company.
About 10 years ago, Youngblood picked up her first American Indian flute. Five years ago, she released her first CD, "Heart of the World," which won the 1999 Native American Music Award for Flutist of the Year.
Since then, she has released two more albums on Silver Wave Records. She has appeared at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, and her music has been featured on the soundtrack of "Naturally Native," screened at the Sundance Film Festival.
At the end of this month at the Grammy Award ceremony, Youngblood will be in the audience for her nomination for Best Native American Music Album.
"Native American music has been struggling to try to get recognition as a First Nations people in this country. We have a rich musical heritage and culture, and to get national and social recognition for that, i.e. the Grammys, is very exciting," Youngblood said.
Addie deHilster, ethnomusicology graduate assistant and novice Native American flutist, said that what makes Youngblood's music so successful is the diverse sound.
"She plays a variety of instruments and has an eclectic musical background, and she brings all that to her music," deHilster said.
In her world music class, deHilster has been teaching students like Ranjit Prajapati, management information systems junior, about the American Indian flute this week.
"I was surprised that she was the first lady to make it commercially," he said.
Tonight, when Prajapati and others see Youngblood, they will see an American Indian storytelling performance first. Youngblood said this opening act will complement her show.
"I interweave my own little stories between my songs, so storytelling is really conducive to a well-rounded show with some texture," Youngblood said.
To buy tickets, call 325-4101 or go to the Fine Arts Box Office in Catlett Music Center.
Youngblood loves to talk to people about her music, especially college-age kids, she said.
Those who would like to ask Youngblood further questions or hear about her "journey as an artist" may attend a free workshop with her Saturday at 2 p.m. in Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall.
hello there & you too