Dr. Lonnie Smith, Bobbi Humphrey, Donald Byrd, Jimmy McGriff, Grant Green, Brother Jack McDuff, Jimmy Smith, Return To Forever, Gary Bartz, Pat Martino, Kenny Burrell, Roy Ayers, Lou Donaldson, Don Byron …
Showing posts with label Bobbi Humphrey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bobbi Humphrey. Show all posts
Friday, July 10, 2026
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Bobbi Humphrey • Dig This!
Review by Thom Jurek
Dig This, recorded and released in 1972, is the second of Bobbi Humphrey's seven Blue Note albums; it is also her sophomore recording. The album was produced by then-label president George Butler. He had signed Humphrey and helmed her debut, Flute In, the previous year. Recorded at A&R Studios, the young flutist was teamed with bassists Ron Carter and Wilbur Bascomb, Jr., powerhouse drummer Alphonse Mouzon, guitarists David Spinozza and William Fontaine, and keyboardists Harry Whitaker and Paul Griffin. While the album’s formula didn’t deviate that much from her debut -- an easy, tasty balance of soul, pop, and jazz tunes -- the material, production, and Humphrey’s confidence all stand out here. Check her reading of Bill Withers' “Lonely Town, Lonely Street,” as she stretches the melody to meet Bascomb's and Spinozza’s funky grooves. While strings swoop and hover, threatening to overtake the mix, her plaintive style goes right at them with meaty, in-the-pocket phrasing. Her version of Whitfield and Strong’s “Smiling Faces Sometimes” is well-known in pop culture for the sample that appeared on Common’s “Puppy Chow,” but taking the tune in full, Humphrey’s gift as a soloist is revealed in full, as she winds around and through funky clavinets, Rhodes, strings, guitars, and Mouzon’s popping snare. The reading of Stevie Wonder's “I Love Every Little Thing About You,” with its bubbling basslines and Humphrey’s understatement of the melody, make this a bright, shining jazz-funk number. “El Mundo de Maravillas (A World of Beauty),” is one of two fine Mouzon compositions to appear here, this one commences with a cello in a spacy, soulful ballad that showcases Humphrey’s classical chops before it moves into funk terrain and then back again. The set closer is a souled-out reading of Kenny Barron's “Nubian Lady,” with chunky guitars, Bascomb’s Fender bass, shuffling drums, and Humphrey adding air and space to the knotty groove. While Dig This is not the revelation that Blacks and Blues is (it appeared two years later), it is nonetheless a stone killer example of jazz-funk in its prime, and should be considered an essential part of the canon.
Dig This, recorded and released in 1972, is the second of Bobbi Humphrey's seven Blue Note albums; it is also her sophomore recording. The album was produced by then-label president George Butler. He had signed Humphrey and helmed her debut, Flute In, the previous year. Recorded at A&R Studios, the young flutist was teamed with bassists Ron Carter and Wilbur Bascomb, Jr., powerhouse drummer Alphonse Mouzon, guitarists David Spinozza and William Fontaine, and keyboardists Harry Whitaker and Paul Griffin. While the album’s formula didn’t deviate that much from her debut -- an easy, tasty balance of soul, pop, and jazz tunes -- the material, production, and Humphrey’s confidence all stand out here. Check her reading of Bill Withers' “Lonely Town, Lonely Street,” as she stretches the melody to meet Bascomb's and Spinozza’s funky grooves. While strings swoop and hover, threatening to overtake the mix, her plaintive style goes right at them with meaty, in-the-pocket phrasing. Her version of Whitfield and Strong’s “Smiling Faces Sometimes” is well-known in pop culture for the sample that appeared on Common’s “Puppy Chow,” but taking the tune in full, Humphrey’s gift as a soloist is revealed in full, as she winds around and through funky clavinets, Rhodes, strings, guitars, and Mouzon’s popping snare. The reading of Stevie Wonder's “I Love Every Little Thing About You,” with its bubbling basslines and Humphrey’s understatement of the melody, make this a bright, shining jazz-funk number. “El Mundo de Maravillas (A World of Beauty),” is one of two fine Mouzon compositions to appear here, this one commences with a cello in a spacy, soulful ballad that showcases Humphrey’s classical chops before it moves into funk terrain and then back again. The set closer is a souled-out reading of Kenny Barron's “Nubian Lady,” with chunky guitars, Bascomb’s Fender bass, shuffling drums, and Humphrey adding air and space to the knotty groove. While Dig This is not the revelation that Blacks and Blues is (it appeared two years later), it is nonetheless a stone killer example of jazz-funk in its prime, and should be considered an essential part of the canon.
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Reseña de Thom Jurek
Dig This, grabado y publicado en 1972, es el segundo de los siete álbumes de Bobbi Humphrey en Blue Note; es también su segunda grabación. El álbum fue producido por el entonces presidente del sello, George Butler. Él había contratado a Humphrey y dirigido su debut, Flute In, el año anterior. Grabado en los estudios A&R, la joven flautista formó equipo con los bajistas Ron Carter y Wilbur Bascomb, Jr., el potente batería Alphonse Mouzon, los guitarristas David Spinozza y William Fontaine, y los teclistas Harry Whitaker y Paul Griffin. Aunque la fórmula del álbum no se desvía mucho de su debut -un equilibrio fácil y sabroso de melodías de soul, pop y jazz-, el material, la producción y la confianza de Humphrey destacan aquí. Comprueba su lectura de "Lonely Town, Lonely Street" de Bill Withers, en la que estira la melodía para que se adapte a los ritmos funky de Bascomb y Spinozza. Mientras las cuerdas se mueven en picado, amenazando con sobrepasar la mezcla, su estilo quejumbroso va directo a ellas con un fraseo carnoso y directo. Su versión de "Smiling Faces Sometimes" de Whitfield y Strong es bien conocida en la cultura pop por la muestra que apareció en "Puppy Chow" de Common, pero al tomar la melodía en su totalidad, el don de Humphrey como solista se revela en su totalidad, ya que serpentea alrededor y a través de los clavinetes funky, Rhodes, cuerdas, guitarras y la redoblante caja de Mouzon. La lectura de "I Love Every Little Thing About You" de Stevie Wonder, con sus burbujeantes líneas de bajo y la subestimación de la melodía por parte de Humphrey, hacen de éste un brillante número de jazz-funk. "El Mundo de Maravillas" es una de las dos buenas composiciones de Mouzon que aparecen aquí, ésta comienza con un violonchelo en una balada conmovedora que muestra las habilidades clásicas de Humphrey antes de entrar en el terreno del funk y volver a él. El cierre del set es una lectura con alma de "Nubian Lady" de Kenny Barron, con guitarras gruesas, el bajo Fender de Bascomb, tambores que se mueven y Humphrey añadiendo aire y espacio al nudoso ritmo. Aunque Dig This no es la revelación que es Blacks and Blues (apareció dos años más tarde), es sin embargo un ejemplo de jazz-funk en su mejor momento, y debería considerarse una parte esencial del canon.
Dig This, grabado y publicado en 1972, es el segundo de los siete álbumes de Bobbi Humphrey en Blue Note; es también su segunda grabación. El álbum fue producido por el entonces presidente del sello, George Butler. Él había contratado a Humphrey y dirigido su debut, Flute In, el año anterior. Grabado en los estudios A&R, la joven flautista formó equipo con los bajistas Ron Carter y Wilbur Bascomb, Jr., el potente batería Alphonse Mouzon, los guitarristas David Spinozza y William Fontaine, y los teclistas Harry Whitaker y Paul Griffin. Aunque la fórmula del álbum no se desvía mucho de su debut -un equilibrio fácil y sabroso de melodías de soul, pop y jazz-, el material, la producción y la confianza de Humphrey destacan aquí. Comprueba su lectura de "Lonely Town, Lonely Street" de Bill Withers, en la que estira la melodía para que se adapte a los ritmos funky de Bascomb y Spinozza. Mientras las cuerdas se mueven en picado, amenazando con sobrepasar la mezcla, su estilo quejumbroso va directo a ellas con un fraseo carnoso y directo. Su versión de "Smiling Faces Sometimes" de Whitfield y Strong es bien conocida en la cultura pop por la muestra que apareció en "Puppy Chow" de Common, pero al tomar la melodía en su totalidad, el don de Humphrey como solista se revela en su totalidad, ya que serpentea alrededor y a través de los clavinetes funky, Rhodes, cuerdas, guitarras y la redoblante caja de Mouzon. La lectura de "I Love Every Little Thing About You" de Stevie Wonder, con sus burbujeantes líneas de bajo y la subestimación de la melodía por parte de Humphrey, hacen de éste un brillante número de jazz-funk. "El Mundo de Maravillas" es una de las dos buenas composiciones de Mouzon que aparecen aquí, ésta comienza con un violonchelo en una balada conmovedora que muestra las habilidades clásicas de Humphrey antes de entrar en el terreno del funk y volver a él. El cierre del set es una lectura con alma de "Nubian Lady" de Kenny Barron, con guitarras gruesas, el bajo Fender de Bascomb, tambores que se mueven y Humphrey añadiendo aire y espacio al nudoso ritmo. Aunque Dig This no es la revelación que es Blacks and Blues (apareció dos años más tarde), es sin embargo un ejemplo de jazz-funk en su mejor momento, y debería considerarse una parte esencial del canon.
Friday, May 16, 2025
Bobbi Humphrey • Flute-In
Artist Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Bobbi Humphrey is a jazz flautist whose musical tastes lean toward fusion and smooth jazz-pop. From the outset of her career, Humphrey was quite popular, winning a large crossover audience with her pop-oriented jazz-fusion. Throughout her career, her popularity exceeded her critical acclaim, but she received high marks for her technique and showmanship. Audiences stayed with Humphrey for decades, buying her records and attending her concerts from the Montreux Festival to Carnegie Hall.
Although Bobbi Humphrey was born in Marlin, TX, she was raised in Dallas. She began playing flute in high school and continued her studies at Texas Southern University and Southern Methodist University. Dizzy Gillespie saw Humphrey play at a talent contest at Southern Methodist and, impressed with what he had heard, he urged her to pursue a musical career in New York City. She followed through on his advice, getting her first big break performing at the Apollo Theater on amateur night. Shortly afterward, she began playing regularly throughout the city, including a gig with Duke Ellington.
Humphrey signed with Blue Note in 1971. Her smooth blend of jazz, funk, pop, and R&B fit in well with the new sound of Blue Note, and her six albums for the label -- Flute In, Dig This, Blacks and Blues, Satin Doll, Live at Montreux, and Fancy Dancer -- were all successes. In particular, 1973's Blacks and Blues was a rousing success, earning her a crossover pop and R&B audience. That same year, she played the Montreux Festival in Switzerland. In 1976, she was named Best Female Instrumentalist by Billboard. The following year, she switched record labels, signing with Epic and releasing Tailor Made that same year. She also played on Stevie Wonder's platinum album Songs in the Key of Life in 1977.
Tailor Made was the first of three albums for Epic Records; Freestyle followed in 1978 and The Good Life appeared about a year afterward. During the '80s, Humphrey continued to perform regularly, even if she didn't record often. She returned to recording in 1989, releasing City Beat on Malaco Records. Five years later, Passion Flute appeared on her own Paradise Sounds label, where she is President and C.E.O.
Bobbi Humphrey is a jazz flautist whose musical tastes lean toward fusion and smooth jazz-pop. From the outset of her career, Humphrey was quite popular, winning a large crossover audience with her pop-oriented jazz-fusion. Throughout her career, her popularity exceeded her critical acclaim, but she received high marks for her technique and showmanship. Audiences stayed with Humphrey for decades, buying her records and attending her concerts from the Montreux Festival to Carnegie Hall.
Although Bobbi Humphrey was born in Marlin, TX, she was raised in Dallas. She began playing flute in high school and continued her studies at Texas Southern University and Southern Methodist University. Dizzy Gillespie saw Humphrey play at a talent contest at Southern Methodist and, impressed with what he had heard, he urged her to pursue a musical career in New York City. She followed through on his advice, getting her first big break performing at the Apollo Theater on amateur night. Shortly afterward, she began playing regularly throughout the city, including a gig with Duke Ellington.
Humphrey signed with Blue Note in 1971. Her smooth blend of jazz, funk, pop, and R&B fit in well with the new sound of Blue Note, and her six albums for the label -- Flute In, Dig This, Blacks and Blues, Satin Doll, Live at Montreux, and Fancy Dancer -- were all successes. In particular, 1973's Blacks and Blues was a rousing success, earning her a crossover pop and R&B audience. That same year, she played the Montreux Festival in Switzerland. In 1976, she was named Best Female Instrumentalist by Billboard. The following year, she switched record labels, signing with Epic and releasing Tailor Made that same year. She also played on Stevie Wonder's platinum album Songs in the Key of Life in 1977.
Tailor Made was the first of three albums for Epic Records; Freestyle followed in 1978 and The Good Life appeared about a year afterward. During the '80s, Humphrey continued to perform regularly, even if she didn't record often. She returned to recording in 1989, releasing City Beat on Malaco Records. Five years later, Passion Flute appeared on her own Paradise Sounds label, where she is President and C.E.O.
///////
Biografía del artista por Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Bobbi Humphrey es una flautista de jazz cuyos gustos musicales se inclinan hacia la fusión y el jazz-pop suave. Desde el principio de su carrera, Humphrey fue bastante popular, ganando un gran público con su jazz-fusión orientado al pop. A lo largo de su carrera, su popularidad superó el reconocimiento de la crítica, pero recibió altas calificaciones por su técnica y espectáculo. El público siguió a Humphrey durante décadas, comprando sus discos y asistiendo a sus conciertos desde el Festival de Montreux hasta el Carnegie Hall.
Aunque Bobbi Humphrey nació en Marlin, Texas, se crió en Dallas. Empezó a tocar la flauta en el instituto y continuó sus estudios en la Texas Southern University y la Southern Methodist University. Dizzy Gillespie vio a Humphrey tocar en un concurso de talentos en la Southern Methodist e, impresionado por lo que había oído, la instó a seguir una carrera musical en Nueva York. Ella siguió su consejo y consiguió su primera gran oportunidad actuando en el Teatro Apollo en una noche de aficionados. Poco después, empezó a tocar con regularidad por toda la ciudad, incluida una actuación con Duke Ellington.
Bobbi Humphrey es una flautista de jazz cuyos gustos musicales se inclinan hacia la fusión y el jazz-pop suave. Desde el principio de su carrera, Humphrey fue bastante popular, ganando un gran público con su jazz-fusión orientado al pop. A lo largo de su carrera, su popularidad superó el reconocimiento de la crítica, pero recibió altas calificaciones por su técnica y espectáculo. El público siguió a Humphrey durante décadas, comprando sus discos y asistiendo a sus conciertos desde el Festival de Montreux hasta el Carnegie Hall.
Aunque Bobbi Humphrey nació en Marlin, Texas, se crió en Dallas. Empezó a tocar la flauta en el instituto y continuó sus estudios en la Texas Southern University y la Southern Methodist University. Dizzy Gillespie vio a Humphrey tocar en un concurso de talentos en la Southern Methodist e, impresionado por lo que había oído, la instó a seguir una carrera musical en Nueva York. Ella siguió su consejo y consiguió su primera gran oportunidad actuando en el Teatro Apollo en una noche de aficionados. Poco después, empezó a tocar con regularidad por toda la ciudad, incluida una actuación con Duke Ellington.
Humphrey firmó con Blue Note en 1971. Su suave mezcla de jazz, funk, pop y R&B encajaba bien con el nuevo sonido de Blue Note, y sus seis álbumes para el sello -Flute In, Dig This, Blacks and Blues, Satin Doll, Live at Montreux y Fancy Dancer- fueron todos un éxito. En particular, Blacks and Blues, de 1973, fue un éxito rotundo, que le valió una audiencia de pop y R&B transversal. Ese mismo año actuó en el Festival de Montreux, en Suiza. En 1976, fue nombrada mejor instrumentista femenina por Billboard. Al año siguiente, cambió de sello discográfico, firmando con Epic y publicando Tailor Made ese mismo año. También tocó en el álbum de platino de Stevie Wonder Songs in the Key of Life en 1977.
Tailor Made fue el primero de tres álbumes para Epic Records; Freestyle le siguió en 1978 y The Good Life apareció aproximadamente un año después. Durante los años 80, Humphrey siguió actuando con regularidad, aunque no grabara a menudo. Volvió a grabar en 1989, publicando City Beat en Malaco Records. Cinco años más tarde, Passion Flute apareció en su propio sello Paradise Sounds, del que es presidenta y consejera delegada.
Saturday, January 25, 2025
Bobbi Humphrey • Blue Break Beats
Artist Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Bobbi Humphrey is a jazz flautist whose musical tastes lean toward fusion and smooth jazz-pop. From the outset of her career, Humphrey was quite popular, winning a large crossover audience with her pop-oriented jazz-fusion. Throughout her career, her popularity exceeded her critical acclaim, but she received high marks for her technique and showmanship. Audiences stayed with Humphrey for decades, buying her records and attending her concerts from the Montreux Festival to Carnegie Hall.
Although Bobbi Humphrey was born in Marlin, TX, she was raised in Dallas. She began playing flute in high school and continued her studies at Texas Southern University and Southern Methodist University. Dizzy Gillespie saw Humphrey play at a talent contest at Southern Methodist and, impressed with what he had heard, he urged her to pursue a musical career in New York City. She followed through on his advice, getting her first big break performing at the Apollo Theater on amateur night. Shortly afterward, she began playing regularly throughout the city, including a gig with Duke Ellington.
Humphrey signed with Blue Note in 1971. Her smooth blend of jazz, funk, pop, and R&B fit in well with the new sound of Blue Note, and her six albums for the label -- Flute In, Dig This, Blacks and Blues, Satin Doll, Live at Montreux, and Fancy Dancer -- were all successes. In particular, 1973's Blacks and Blues was a rousing success, earning her a crossover pop and R&B audience. That same year, she played the Montreux Festival in Switzerland. In 1976, she was named Best Female Instrumentalist by Billboard. The following year, she switched record labels, signing with Epic and releasing Tailor Made that same year. She also played on Stevie Wonder's platinum album Songs in the Key of Life in 1977.
Tailor Made was the first of three albums for Epic Records; Freestyle followed in 1978 and The Good Life appeared about a year afterward. During the '80s, Humphrey continued to perform regularly, even if she didn't record often. She returned to recording in 1989, releasing City Beat on Malaco Records. Five years later, Passion Flute appeared on her own Paradise Sounds label, where she is President and C.E.O.
Bobbi Humphrey is a jazz flautist whose musical tastes lean toward fusion and smooth jazz-pop. From the outset of her career, Humphrey was quite popular, winning a large crossover audience with her pop-oriented jazz-fusion. Throughout her career, her popularity exceeded her critical acclaim, but she received high marks for her technique and showmanship. Audiences stayed with Humphrey for decades, buying her records and attending her concerts from the Montreux Festival to Carnegie Hall.
Although Bobbi Humphrey was born in Marlin, TX, she was raised in Dallas. She began playing flute in high school and continued her studies at Texas Southern University and Southern Methodist University. Dizzy Gillespie saw Humphrey play at a talent contest at Southern Methodist and, impressed with what he had heard, he urged her to pursue a musical career in New York City. She followed through on his advice, getting her first big break performing at the Apollo Theater on amateur night. Shortly afterward, she began playing regularly throughout the city, including a gig with Duke Ellington.
Humphrey signed with Blue Note in 1971. Her smooth blend of jazz, funk, pop, and R&B fit in well with the new sound of Blue Note, and her six albums for the label -- Flute In, Dig This, Blacks and Blues, Satin Doll, Live at Montreux, and Fancy Dancer -- were all successes. In particular, 1973's Blacks and Blues was a rousing success, earning her a crossover pop and R&B audience. That same year, she played the Montreux Festival in Switzerland. In 1976, she was named Best Female Instrumentalist by Billboard. The following year, she switched record labels, signing with Epic and releasing Tailor Made that same year. She also played on Stevie Wonder's platinum album Songs in the Key of Life in 1977.
Tailor Made was the first of three albums for Epic Records; Freestyle followed in 1978 and The Good Life appeared about a year afterward. During the '80s, Humphrey continued to perform regularly, even if she didn't record often. She returned to recording in 1989, releasing City Beat on Malaco Records. Five years later, Passion Flute appeared on her own Paradise Sounds label, where she is President and C.E.O.
///////
Biografía del artista por Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Bobbi
Humphrey es una flautista de jazz cuyos gustos musicales se inclinan
hacia la fusión y el jazz-pop suave. Desde el principio de su carrera,
Humphrey fue bastante popular, ganando un gran público con su
jazz-fusión orientado al pop. A lo largo de su carrera, su popularidad
superó el reconocimiento de la crítica, pero recibió altas
calificaciones por su técnica y espectáculo. El público siguió a
Humphrey durante décadas, comprando sus discos y asistiendo a sus
conciertos desde el Festival de Montreux hasta el Carnegie Hall.
Aunque Bobbi Humphrey nació en Marlin, Texas, se crió en Dallas. Empezó a tocar la flauta en el instituto y continuó sus estudios en la Texas Southern University y la Southern Methodist University. Dizzy Gillespie vio a Humphrey tocar en un concurso de talentos en la Southern Methodist e, impresionado por lo que había oído, la instó a seguir una carrera musical en Nueva York. Ella siguió su consejo y consiguió su primera gran oportunidad actuando en el Teatro Apollo en una noche de aficionados. Poco después, empezó a tocar con regularidad por toda la ciudad, incluida una actuación con Duke Ellington.
Aunque Bobbi Humphrey nació en Marlin, Texas, se crió en Dallas. Empezó a tocar la flauta en el instituto y continuó sus estudios en la Texas Southern University y la Southern Methodist University. Dizzy Gillespie vio a Humphrey tocar en un concurso de talentos en la Southern Methodist e, impresionado por lo que había oído, la instó a seguir una carrera musical en Nueva York. Ella siguió su consejo y consiguió su primera gran oportunidad actuando en el Teatro Apollo en una noche de aficionados. Poco después, empezó a tocar con regularidad por toda la ciudad, incluida una actuación con Duke Ellington.
Humphrey
firmó con Blue Note en 1971. Su suave mezcla de jazz, funk, pop y
R&B encajaba bien con el nuevo sonido de Blue Note, y sus seis
álbumes para el sello -Flute In, Dig This, Blacks and Blues, Satin Doll,
Live at Montreux y Fancy Dancer- fueron todos un éxito. En particular,
Blacks and Blues, de 1973, fue un éxito rotundo, que le valió una
audiencia de pop y R&B transversal. Ese mismo año actuó en el
Festival de Montreux, en Suiza. En 1976, fue nombrada mejor
instrumentista femenina por Billboard. Al año siguiente, cambió de sello
discográfico, firmando con Epic y publicando Tailor Made ese mismo año.
También tocó en el álbum de platino de Stevie Wonder Songs in the Key
of Life en 1977.
Tailor
Made fue el primero de tres álbumes para Epic Records; Freestyle le
siguió en 1978 y The Good Life apareció aproximadamente un año después.
Durante los años 80, Humphrey siguió actuando con regularidad, aunque no
grabara a menudo. Volvió a grabar en 1989, publicando City Beat en
Malaco Records. Cinco años más tarde, Passion Flute apareció en su
propio sello Paradise Sounds, del que es presidenta y consejera
delegada.
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
VA • Blue Note Trip Jazzanova
Donald Byrd, Bobby Hutcherson, Bobbi Humphrey, Horace Silver, Horace Parlan, James Moody, Kenny Dorham, Lee Morgan, Nicola Conte, Sam Rivers, Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard, Various Artists, Curtis Fuller, Gene Harris, Duke Pearson …
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
Bobbi Humphrey • Fancy Dancer
Artist Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Bobbi Humphrey is a jazz flautist whose musical tastes lean toward fusion and smooth jazz-pop. From the outset of her career, Humphrey was quite popular, winning a large crossover audience with her pop-oriented jazz-fusion. Throughout her career, her popularity exceeded her critical acclaim, but she received high marks for her technique and showmanship. Audiences stayed with Humphrey for decades, buying her records and attending her concerts from the Montreux Festival to Carnegie Hall.
Although Bobbi Humphrey was born in Marlin, TX, she was raised in Dallas. She began playing flute in high school and continued her studies at Texas Southern University and Southern Methodist University. Dizzy Gillespie saw Humphrey play at a talent contest at Southern Methodist and, impressed with what he had heard, he urged her to pursue a musical career in New York City. She followed through on his advice, getting her first big break performing at the Apollo Theater on amateur night. Shortly afterward, she began playing regularly throughout the city, including a gig with Duke Ellington.
Humphrey signed with Blue Note in 1971. Her smooth blend of jazz, funk, pop, and R&B fit in well with the new sound of Blue Note, and her six albums for the label -- Flute In, Dig This, Blacks and Blues, Satin Doll, Live at Montreux, and Fancy Dancer -- were all successes. In particular, 1973's Blacks and Blues was a rousing success, earning her a crossover pop and R&B audience.
That same year, she played the Montreux Festival in Switzerland. In 1976, she was named Best Female Instrumentalist by Billboard. The following year, she switched record labels, signing with Epic and releasing Tailor Made that same year. She also played on Stevie Wonder's platinum album Songs in the Key of Life in 1977.
Tailor Made was the first of three albums for Epic Records; Freestyle followed in 1978 and The Good Life appeared about a year afterward. During the '80s, Humphrey continued to perform regularly, even if she didn't record often. She returned to recording in 1989, releasing City Beat on Malaco Records. Five years later, Passion Flute appeared on her own Paradise Sounds label, where she is President and C.E.O.
Bobbi Humphrey is a jazz flautist whose musical tastes lean toward fusion and smooth jazz-pop. From the outset of her career, Humphrey was quite popular, winning a large crossover audience with her pop-oriented jazz-fusion. Throughout her career, her popularity exceeded her critical acclaim, but she received high marks for her technique and showmanship. Audiences stayed with Humphrey for decades, buying her records and attending her concerts from the Montreux Festival to Carnegie Hall.
Although Bobbi Humphrey was born in Marlin, TX, she was raised in Dallas. She began playing flute in high school and continued her studies at Texas Southern University and Southern Methodist University. Dizzy Gillespie saw Humphrey play at a talent contest at Southern Methodist and, impressed with what he had heard, he urged her to pursue a musical career in New York City. She followed through on his advice, getting her first big break performing at the Apollo Theater on amateur night. Shortly afterward, she began playing regularly throughout the city, including a gig with Duke Ellington.
Humphrey signed with Blue Note in 1971. Her smooth blend of jazz, funk, pop, and R&B fit in well with the new sound of Blue Note, and her six albums for the label -- Flute In, Dig This, Blacks and Blues, Satin Doll, Live at Montreux, and Fancy Dancer -- were all successes. In particular, 1973's Blacks and Blues was a rousing success, earning her a crossover pop and R&B audience.
That same year, she played the Montreux Festival in Switzerland. In 1976, she was named Best Female Instrumentalist by Billboard. The following year, she switched record labels, signing with Epic and releasing Tailor Made that same year. She also played on Stevie Wonder's platinum album Songs in the Key of Life in 1977.
Tailor Made was the first of three albums for Epic Records; Freestyle followed in 1978 and The Good Life appeared about a year afterward. During the '80s, Humphrey continued to perform regularly, even if she didn't record often. She returned to recording in 1989, releasing City Beat on Malaco Records. Five years later, Passion Flute appeared on her own Paradise Sounds label, where she is President and C.E.O.
/////////
Biografía del artista por Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Bobbi Humphrey es una flautista de jazz cuyos gustos musicales se inclinan hacia la fusión y el jazz-pop suave. Desde el principio de su carrera, Humphrey fue bastante popular, ganando un gran público con su jazz-fusión orientado al pop. A lo largo de su carrera, su popularidad superó el reconocimiento de la crítica, pero recibió altas calificaciones por su técnica y espectáculo. El público siguió a Humphrey durante décadas, comprando sus discos y asistiendo a sus conciertos desde el Festival de Montreux hasta el Carnegie Hall.
Aunque Bobbi Humphrey nació en Marlin, Texas, se crió en Dallas. Comenzó a tocar la flauta en el instituto y continuó sus estudios en la Texas Southern University y en la Southern Methodist University. Dizzy Gillespie vio a Humphrey tocar en un concurso de talentos en la Southern Methodist e, impresionado por lo que había oído, la instó a seguir una carrera musical en Nueva York. Ella siguió su consejo y consiguió su primera gran oportunidad actuando en el Teatro Apollo en una noche de aficionados. Poco después, empezó a tocar con regularidad por toda la ciudad, incluida una actuación con Duke Ellington.
Humphrey firmó con Blue Note en 1971. Su suave mezcla de jazz, funk, pop y R&B encajaba bien con el nuevo sonido de Blue Note, y sus seis álbumes para el sello -Flute In, Dig This, Blacks and Blues, Satin Doll, Live at Montreux y Fancy Dancer- fueron todos un éxito. En particular, Blacks and Blues, de 1973, fue un éxito rotundo, que le valió una audiencia de pop y R&B transversal.
Ese mismo año actuó en el Festival de Montreux, en Suiza. En 1976, fue nombrada mejor instrumentista femenina por Billboard. Al año siguiente, cambió de sello discográfico, firmando con Epic y publicando Tailor Made ese mismo año. También tocó en el álbum de platino de Stevie Wonder Songs in the Key of Life en 1977.
Tailor Made fue el primero de tres álbumes para Epic Records; Freestyle le siguió en 1978 y The Good Life apareció aproximadamente un año después. Durante los años 80, Humphrey siguió actuando con regularidad, aunque no grabara a menudo. Volvió a grabar en 1989, publicando City Beat en Malaco Records. Cinco años más tarde, Passion Flute apareció en su propio sello Paradise Sounds, del que es presidenta y consejera delegada.
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
VA • Best Of Jazz Flute
Roland Kirk, Yusef Lateef, Dave Valentin, James Moody, Herbie Mann, Eric Dolphy, Bobbi Humphrey ...
Thursday, May 2, 2024
VA • Funky Jazzy Party
Grant Green, Ramsey Lewis, The Jazz Crusaders, Donald Byrd, Willie Bobo, Roy Ayers, Jimmy Smith, Bobbi Humphrey, Wes Montgomery, Bobby Hutcherson, Quincy Jones, Dorothy Ashby …
Monday, April 29, 2024
VA • Jazzify-Flute
Yusef Lateef, Roland Kirk, Bobbi Humphrey, Dave Valentin, Herbie Mann, James Moody ...
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
VA • Super Funky Soul Jazz
Jimmy McGriff, Grant Green, George Benson, Bobbi Humphrey, Brother Jack McDuff, Willie Bobo, Roy Ayers, Dorothy Ashby, Archie Shepp, James Brown, Buddy Rich, John Scofield, Charlie Hunter, Lou Donaldson ...
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