LPCDreissues: Looking forward to the past

The use of the flute as an instrument of jazz improvisation goes back to Wayman Carver in the early 1930s. Harry Klee played it in the mid-Forties, but the flute did not become firmly established in jazz until the early 1950s, and then primarily as a secondary instrument for saxophonists. Herbie Mann, however, made it his primary horn and in the minds of the general jazz public quickly became synonymous with the flute. For recording, Mann occasionally teamed up with another flutist. One of his most successful partnerships was with Bobby Jaspar, a young Belgian who as a member of J.J. Johnson's quintet made an impact with both flute and tenor saxophone. In Flute Flight, as in Flute Souffle (OJC-760), Mann and Jaspar work with the elegant pianist Tommy Flanagan, guitarist Joe Puma, bassist Wendell Marshall, and drummer Bobby Donaldson. In his own session, Jaspar retains Flanagan and Donaldson and adds vibraharpist Eddie Costa and bassist Doug Watkins, both on the upswings of their too-brief careers.
Track listing:Tutti Flutie, Bo-Do, Flute Bass Blues, Flute Bob, Solacium