Jazz Milestones: Herbie Mann, Vol. 2

by Alex HendersonOver the years, jazz has had its share of famous two-tenor, two-alto, and two-trumpet gatherings -- some of which could be highly competitive (such as Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt, Dexter Gordon and Wardell Gray, or Phil Woods and Gene Quill). But two-flute front lines have been a rarity in the jazz world. The flute isn't nearly as prominent a jazz instrument as the trumpet, the tenor sax, or the alto sax, and for every jazz flutist who became famous (Herbie Mann, Hubert Laws, and Bobbi Humphrey, among others), there were countless others who made their mark as saxophonists or trumpeters. Recorded in 1957 and reissued on CD in 2002, Flute Flight gives listeners a rare chance to hear Mann and fellow flutist Bobby Jaspar (who was also known for his Lester Young-influenced tenor playing) together as a two-flute front line. There are no saxophonists, trumpeters, or trombonists onboard -- just one or two flutes and a rhythm section that includes Tommy Flanagan on piano, Joe Puma on guitar, Eddie Costa on vibes, Wendell Marshall or Doug Watkins on bass, and Bobby Donaldson on drums. Actually, Puma's "Bo-Do" and Mann's ten-minute "Tuttie Flutie" are the only tracks that find Mann and Jaspar teaming up; the rest of the time, Jaspar is the only flutist. Nonetheless, Mann's hardcore fans will enjoy this melodic, sometimes restrained bop session, and those who appreciate the lyrical nature of Jaspar's flute playing won't be disappointed by his solos on Flanagan's wistful "Solacium" or Watkins' clever "Flute Bass Blues." Anyone who complains that jazz hasn't had enough flute playing over the years will want to add Flute Flight to his/her collection.