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Bobbi Humphrey

She has been named “First Lady of the Flute” by the critics and listeners alike and, from the accomplishments in her musical career, deservedly so. For three decades now, Bobbi Humphrey has been playing her special brand of music to audiences around the world. Her professional career began in 1971 when she was the first female signed to Blue Note Records.

Certainly a lady playing a flute must have seemed something of a novelty then. Humphrey proved, however, she was not just a “first” or novelty, but a talent to be reckoned with. For in 1973, her LP, Blues and Blues was not only a huge commercial success, but established a strong crossover market for her. Also, in 1973, she was invited to the prestigious Montreux International Music Festival in Switzerland where Leonard Feather, noted critic of the Los Angeles Times, acclaimed her “the surprise hit of the festival”. Since then Humphrey has continuously proved her sustaining power, for today she is the only successful female urban-pop flutist on the scene. Further proof is the fact that she was acclaimed “Best Female Instrumentalist” (1976 and 1978 to both Billboard and Record World, and “Best Female Vocalist” in Cashbox. This is certainly a milestone for any instrumentalist.

Born in Marlin, Texas and raised in Dallas, Humphrey’s training on flute began in high school and continued through her years at Texas Southern University and Southern Methodist University. It was there that Dizzy Gillespie spotted her when he served as a judge in a school-wide competition . With Gillespie encouraging her to pursue a career in New York City, Humphrey wrote a letter to New York’s famed Apollo Theatre and received a telegram soon afterwards telling her, “We have reserved a spot for you on Amateur Night”. She didn’t take further convincing , nor did she have trouble finding her “spot” in the music industry.

The title of one of her Epic LPs The Good Life, best describes her career. Humphrey has played with the best, ranging from Duke Ellington (her third day in New York) to Lee Morgan to Stevie Wonder (featured on Songs In The Key of Life LP in 1977). Between 1971 and 1976, Bobbi recorded six albums for Blue Note Records. In 1974, she recorded the successful Satin Doll LP.

1977 was another big year for Humphrey. For the third consecutive year she was voted “Best Flutist” in Ebony Magazine Reader’s Poll. She was signed to Epic Records. She was invited back to the Montreux Music Festival., and honored with the Key to New Orleans. It was not only a year of musical growth but of commercial expansion as well, because in 1977 Humphrey formed Bobbi Humphrey Music Company to publish her compositions as well as composers. She also formed Innovative Artist Management to handle her business affairs.

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Album Review

Bobbi Humphrey: Blacks And Blues

Read "Blacks And Blues" reviewed by Chris May


The title of the album and that of its opening track ("Chicago, Damn"), the original release date (1973) and the 'fro might suggest flautist Bobbi Humphrey's Blacks And Blues came with a clenched-fist salute and a political manifesto. But hey, Humphrey's third Blue Note release was composed and produced in La La Land by brothers Fonce and Larry Mizell, masters of chilled-out jazz-funk. Humphrey's cover-shot smile is the real clue to the vibe of the album--which in 2019 has been ...

493
Jazz From The Vinyl Junkyard

Bobbi Humphrey: Flute-In

Read "Bobbi Humphrey: Flute-In" reviewed by C. Andrew Hovan


Bobbi Humphrey Flute-In Blue Note Records 1971 Last time out we looked at two particularly neglected Blue Note gems from keyboard man Ronnie Foster which actually got me to thinking about the present state of that iconic jazz catalog. While the Connoisseur and RVG series have brought to light many of the best items from the vaults, the fact remains that there are still a small number of releases that have yet ...

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31

Award / Grant

International Women In Jazz Festival Honors Bobbi Humphrey

International Women In Jazz Festival Honors Bobbi Humphrey

Source: 319 Public Relations

Spring will be a little warmer this year. The hot flute sounds of legendary “First Lady Of Flute" Bobbi Humphrey will resonate the walls of Saint Peters Church on April 14, 2012. In celebration of her 40th anniversary in Jazz, she has been selected as the 2012 honoree of the INTERNATIONAL WOMEN IN JAZZ FESTIVAL. She will also headline the festival with an hour-long concert starting at 8p.m. Ms Humphrey, world renown for her soaring, sultry, sometimes fiery flute sounds ...

276

Performance / Tour

Bobbi Humphrey, Grady Tate, Clifton Anderson, Stuff at Creole in October

Bobbi Humphrey, Grady Tate, Clifton Anderson, Stuff at Creole in October

Source: Ann Forster

Creole Restaurant NYC: 2167 Third Avenue, Corner of 118th Street, NY, NY 10035. Call (212) 876-8838 | Visit www.creolenyc.com

OCTOBER 2009 CALENDAR BOBBI HUMPHREY: October 2nd & 3rd CLIFTON ANDERSON: October 9th & 10th GRADY TATE: October 16th & 17th STUFF BROTHERS & SISTERS: Every Wednesday: Gary Sieger, Frank Canino, Chris Parker, Steve Greenfield, Andy Burton, Roy Bennett, Maxine Brown, Beverly Crosby

Friday, October 2nd & Saturday, October 3rd at 8:00pm & ...

130

Performance / Tour

Les Paul (Mon) Mingus Dynasty (Tues) Vince Giordano (Wed) July 6-9 Bobbi Humphrey at The Iridium Jazz Club

Les Paul (Mon) Mingus Dynasty (Tues) Vince Giordano (Wed)  July 6-9 Bobbi Humphrey at The Iridium Jazz Club

Source: All About Jazz

IRIDIUM JAZZ CLUB 1650 BROADWAY (Corner of 51st) NEW YORK, NY 10023 RESERVATIONS: 212-582-2121 NEW SET TIMES BEGINNING JUNE 1, 2006 8:30 & 10:30PM, Fri. & Sat. 3rd Sets AT MIDNIGHT Note: Set Times for Les Paul Remain at 8 & 10PM EVERY MONDAY LES PAUL AND HIS TRIO Note: Set Times for Les Paul Remain at 8 ...

121

Performance / Tour

Jazz Museum in Harlem Celebrates Women's History Month-Bobbi Humphrey, Flautist: March 16, 2006 6:30pm-8:00pm

Jazz Museum in Harlem Celebrates Women's History Month-Bobbi Humphrey, Flautist: March 16, 2006 6:30pm-8:00pm

Source: All About Jazz

The Jazz Museum in Harlem 104 East 126th Street New York, NY 10035 212 348-8300

Jazz Museum in Harlem Celebrates Women's History Month (Twice!)

Flautist Bobbi Humphrey at Harlem Speaks!

Bobbi Humphrey, Flautist: March 16, 2006 Sarah McLawler, Organist/Vocalist: March 30, 2006 Cobi Narita, Producer: April 13, 2006 Delilah Jackson, Historian: April 27, 2006

Dubbed “First Lady of the Flute," Bobbi Humphrey is the special guest ...

140

Performance / Tour

Roy Ayers and Bobbi Humphrey Thursday through Sunday November 17 through 20 Iridium Jazz Club

Roy Ayers and Bobbi Humphrey Thursday through Sunday November 17 through 20 Iridium Jazz Club

Source: All About Jazz

IRIDIUM JAZZ CLUB 1650 BROADWAY (Corner of 51st) NEW YORK, NY 10023 RESERVATIONS: 212-582-2121, www.iridiumjazzclub.com Nov. 17-20 ROY AYERS and BOBBI HUMPHREY The Iridium Jazz Club is pleased to present jazz-funk vibist Roy Ayers and flute super-star Bobbi Humphrey, Thursday through Sunday November 17 through 20. Los Angeles-born Roy Ayers (b. 1940) is a multi-instrumentalist child prodigy who was co-leading his own band with Hampton Hawes by his early twenties. Ayers came to prominence as the vibraphonist on albums by ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Blacks And Blues

Blue Note Records
2019

buy

Harlem River Drive /...

Applause Records
2009

buy

Passion Flute

Paradise Sounds Records
2008

buy

Blue Breakbeats

Applause Records
1998

buy

Passion Flute

Applause Records
1994

buy

The Best Of

Applause Records
1992

buy

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