Top 10 Flute Players in Jazz

PATREON / peterandwillanderson
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[@tonyr.4778]

Joe Farrel, Paul Horn, Moe Koffman, Jane Bunnett, Jerry Niewood, Sarpay, Eric Dolphy, Frank Wess, Sam Rivers, Bud Shank, Tim Weisberg, Nestor Torres, Maraca Valle and many others.

[@bohindramusic]

Jeremy Steig , Dave Valentin , Jorge Pardo ( Spain ) jazzflute flamenco fusion , and meny others

[@coolmason3000]

Herbie mann !

[@docapple2012]

Flautist Jeremy Steig (Jeremy & the Satyrs) should be on the list. But maybe I’m biased because I grew up with him. Early in his career, he had a moped accident in Bermuda and half his face went numb. He fashioned a prothesis with a piece of metal & bandaids, to form a chamber in his mouth, so he could play again. This created his unique buzzy sound that became his trademark. His band, Jeremy & the Satyrs played at my college in Marlboro Vt, as a favor to me, since they were booked to play a gig at the Albany jazz festival right after, but they got snowed in trying to cross rte 9 on their way to the Albany , so they turned back. We had to feed them for a week and they missed the festival. I remember Adrian Guillery, the guitarist, could play with the guitar behind his back. I think Jemmy was a unique talent and should not be forgotten.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

A great story. I just checked them out, and what a cool sound! I love bands with acoustic instruments in them, no matter what the style. Unfortunately it's becoming a fad to only have electric or electronic instruments. The more horns the better!

[@DeltaRana4]

Bill McBirnie is one the great jazz improvisors of today and can improvise to many styles of music.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

I must check him out!

[@user-gx5wp9no6e]

I once told Bill, "Dude, you could riff on 'Hot Cross Buns'", he thought about it for a second and said, "Yeah, probably". The man is a classic. Love his playing.

[@CHRISSSJ8]

Your flute interludes between each nomination are extremely well played but it would be good if you could insert a small sample of each flute player as you nominate them.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

I agree, it's tough to navigate the copyright rules here on YT which is why it was done the way it was. I hope you can understand! thanks Chris

[@jonathandyment1444]

@@PeterAndWillAndersonyou could put links to examples in the description?

[@jonpalombi]

10 greatest is by far, too short a list given the many, many gifted Jazz flutists. Top 25 greatest... yeah, that would work much better for me. Why so? Because you left out: Bud Shank, Paul Horn, Buddy Colette, Bobby Jaspar, Jeremy Steig, James Spaulding, David "Fathead" Newman, Joe Farrell, Charles Lloyd, Nestor Torres, David Valentin, James Newton, Ali Ryerson, Holly Hofmann, and Bobby Humphreys. But that said, Thank You for your very fine video!

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

What great suggestions. We will be releasing a Round 2 video with many of those names. Thanks for checking out our video :)

[@ardenjohnson2766]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makanda_Ken_McIntyre

[@jedivideo6203]

About 20 years ago when I was just starting to learn flute to add as a double (I had never played it in public), the latin jazz band I played saxophone with regularly kept urging me to bring my flute to a gig. I finally agreed to bring it to a gig in Pasadena to maybe blow a solo or two--- but completely forgot when I left my house to grab the flute. The gig went on as usual. But after the first set the drummer said to me, "Hey did you see that Hubert Laws is in the audience"? Good lord was I grateful that I forgot the flute that night.

[@everardorodriguez5400]

I can't believe no one has mentioned Nicole Mitchell. She is not only one of the best flute players but, plain and simple, one of the greatest jazz artists around.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thanks for the input

[@martafi9989]

Thanks for the information! She is a woman... and we know how it works. You can have some recognition being a singer... but women players...it's hard for them to be recognised, even if their brilliant.

[@flutechannel]

Nice list indeed! lucky to have heard some of them live!

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Wow, that's incredible. Great to hear from you. I love your YT channel! In person, I got to hear Frank Wess, James Moody, Lew Tabackin, and Yusef Lateef. I was also lucky to meet Hubert Laws in Los Angeles 3 years ago. He came to one of our concerts and was very nice.

[@flutechannel]

@@PeterAndWillAnderson lew is amazing!

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

@@flutechannel Lew is a good friend of ours. BTW, I just subscribed to your YT channel!

[@jltfreewoman]

Rubyana Carilli, Music Theorist, Composer, Performer= Jazz Flutist Extraordinaire- She jammed with Jimmy Hendrix, but is amazing in her own right. Absolutely brilliant jazz musician and artist

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thanks for the input

[@luissilame7909]

I loved your sound and phrasing! Thanks for posting!

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thank you!!!

[@hajich]

Do you think Joe Farrell could be a candidate to leave his name in the history of jazz flute with just his flute solo on "Spain" on Chick Corea's album? That is very famous even for non jazz listeners.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Yes, absoultely!

[@LouisBertrandTech]

The benefit of a video like this is that it pulls out some great comments and suggestions. The video itself was good (nice flutey breaks!) and respectful.

[@Tempest78]

I do ❤️love this countdown. It’s accurate and respectful. Great job!

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thank you for checking it out!

[@misterjazz5990]

Great list ! About contemporary jazz flutists I'd say Sarpay Ozcatagay, Michele Gori, Anne Drummond, Magic Malik...

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

I will have to check those flute players out! I don't know them. I'm glad to hear there's more great players today. We need them! :)

[@Pablo781]

Malik mezzadri, i think, is best musician who play flute at the moment

[@Osnosis]

@@PeterAndWillAnderson and, of course, Jamie Baum.

[@yggdrasil9039]

Great video thanks. Hubert Laws is one of my favourite players of any instrument. Love the interludes by the way! Can you please do some solo jazz flute uploads? Even shorts like Ryan Devlin's sax stuff, 2 minutes long would be great. I love the way you weave through changes - I could honestly listen to that sound for an hour or more.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Great suggestions. More flute to come! We got to meet Hubert Laws once, really a special moment.

[@ElvioGhigliordini]

hi, i think that Hubert must to be at first place!, with all respect to all mentioned here, with who i grew up musically.. there is many others to talk about!

[@knowledgeispowerfful]

Great video!, Thanks for sharing.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thanks a lot. You've got a cool tag name!

[@KeisOhtsuka]

My first Jazz LP was "Standing Ovation at New Port" by Herbie Mann (Atlantic Label), so he introduced me to Jazz; Bobby Jasper (ts, fl) in the J. J. Johnson Quintet (Dial JJ5) has a great lyrical Jazz flute player. Buddy Collette and, of course, James Moody play similar stylers. By the look of placing Herbie Mann at No. 10, Latin Jazz flautists like Dave Valentin, Andrea Brachfeld, Nestor Torres, and Jane Burnette were out because Dave sang, Nestor danced or moved too much on stage. 😂 The flute is everywhere, so it is difficult to keep them confined to one genre. (I am sure I missed more Latin/Cuban Jazz flute players). Thanks for this list. (We also need a flute emoji!)

[@robertgradl349]

Thank you for your presentation, and your flute playing is great as well! My vote for no. 1 is Hubert Laws, hands down. It's awesome that Hubert Laws, also was generous in complimenting your playing, really cool! I hope to see you in concert someday in the future. Really enjoyed the top 10, and the thread of comments. You state eloquently, that when it comes to the fine arts, the numerical order is the listeners opinion. Spot on

[@NRobles93]

Dave Valentin has the most unique flute sound. You hear the sound and it is unmistakably Dave. He should be high up on this list.

[@TheRealDrJoey]

Wow, no kidding! I forgot about him. Fantastic player. Flute works better for Latin than other types of jazz I think.

[@anacalderon6841]

it's really mind blowing that me being a flautist and I didn't even know about these outstanding artists, thanks for sharing c:

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mambojazz1]

I felt so relieved when Doplhy made it on the list🤣 Sam Most played amazing clarinet as well just like his brother Abe. He stopped in the 70's. His clarinet sounded almost exactly like his flute playing even the vocabulary.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Sam Most! You know your stuff...

[@mambojazz1]

@@PeterAndWillAnderson I play clarinet. I try to stay on top of everyone and everything clarinet lol. Thanks for your videos.

[@patrickthames8853]

I didn’t read all the comments but Man oh man why isn’t Buddy Collete; Paul Horn, Phil Urso not on this list! You can just call it West Coast flutists Herbie Mann and Collete made a album together and it’s one my favorites.! Also my friend and great Flutist Ali Ryerson deserves special mention as well as Holly Hoffman. One other thing, the flutist that played on Ron Burgandy had an amazing story! He was a child actor at one time.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Hi Patrick, we couldn't fit them all in the top 10, but we'll have to do a "round 2" video for top jazz flute players. Thanks for the suggestions!

[@TheRealDrJoey]

I'd forgotten about Paul Horn! Holly Hoffman is the best right now I'd say.

[@martinvanhemert5613]

The Dutch flutist Chris Hinze has been a major influence for me. He is quite prolific, with some 50 albums to his credit.

[@richardkut3976]

Herbie Mann, Live at the Village Gate. Awesome album.

[@emilerose1424]

Good selection and very informative. I suggest checking out jazz flutist Bobbi Humphrey. Her tone, technique and sensibilities are quite impressive and she has great jazz repertoire. By the way, your skills are good too.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thank you Emile! I really appreciate it! I will check out Bobbi. Do you play?

[@thebaddestmofoinoz]

Ah someone beat me to it! I really enjoy Bobbi Humphrey's work. My favourite song of hers is Harlem River Drive.

[@brucelaudenberger8056]

When I heard Herbie Mann play at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1975, I knew that was going to be my instrument of choice. I was 24. Later, i became amazed with Hubert Law's playing! Another player to mention is Dave Valentine. Not all players have that ability to sound like he does with that vibrato technique like he and Hubert Laws can do. I hear it takes a lot of practice. It sounds like trilling, but with your voice, not using the keys. Maybe they have a name for it?

[@mortenfriis4688]

Good list.. well done

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Glad you think so!

[@GiaVolterradeSaulnier]

Thanks from this jazz flute gal in Massachusetts!

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

What a great state, the home state of the best flute manufacturers in the world! We've performed there many times. Stay in touch.

[@Chris-fx8ob]

All good. Also, please check out Bill McBirnie, Toronto, Canada a beautiful jazz flute player.

[@greyhorse1211]

The Brit Tubby Hayes was also a fine jazz flautist (primarily a tenor player but also vibes) but not that well known.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Tubby Hayes is great. I've been told I sound like him :)

[@mattiasorre1718]

Yupp

[@theblueriverjazzbandmusic2540]

Although Herbie Mann may not be the best jazz flute player, no one did more to popularize it in jazz and bring it to prominence.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

I like Herbie Mann a lot. Can't be left out!

[@tosheybanister9248]

enjoyed it very much

[@juanrangel501]

Sarpay Ozcagatay should be on a modern top ten jazz flute players list. Worth the listen, I promise!

[@danforthe2006]

Thank you for including Roland Kirk and especially James Moody! But what about Lloyd McNeill? He was AMAZING, and not too tweety. Where is he in your hierarchy? Dan

[@dillonheimerl5683]

Bill Mcbirnie

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thanks for the tip. Haven't heard of him!

[@rmoraespinto]

Singling out 10 flutists in jazz is quite difficult. There would be always somebody unfairly out from the list. I felt the absence of Jeremy Steig from the list. Thanks

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thanks for the input, I've never heard Jeremy.

[@farmerjbird]

I believe Eric Dixon from Count Basie's big band is worthy of mention, he also played saxophone. I always enjoy listening to him😊

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

I didn't know Eric Dixon was a flute player, too. I'm a fan of his saxophone playing! Thanks for the tip

[@777leviandades]

Leo Wright , George young, joe farrel brother ! Great flute and alto sax as well

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Right on :)

[@kevindeibert3369]

Thanks for including Sam Most. No Joe Farrell, Jeremy Steig, Bobby Jasper, Bud Shank ? Well, I guess you can’t include everyone ! James Moody & Holly Hoffman

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thanks Kevin, those are some great names. Maybe for round 2! I love Bobby Jasper!

[@jymcaputo]

@@PeterAndWillAnderson Hmmm, round 2? Ya can't undo in my mind that you did not evaluate Hubert's talent as unique and incomparable. I'm gonna have a hard time sleeping tonight.

[@soimu3983]

Thanks!.. ...and, Jeremy Steig of course!..

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

I don't know him, will have to check him out! Thanks for the tip

[@bennyboy1318]

@@PeterAndWillAndersonoleo on flute fever is a cracker

[@jymcaputo]

I'm shocked that Hubert was not in your number 1 spot. His technique, tone, versatility in genres and soulfulness (even in classical) far surpasses any of the other nine players on your list.

[@jymcaputo]

one might argue as to other players who could have made the top 10. BUT there is NO rational debate about who is number 1.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Hubert easily could have been 1. There are, however, people that might not agree with you. That's the great thing about art.

[@frankleeguitar]

@@PeterAndWillAnderson Hubert Laws is the yardstick to which all others are measured. Some of those players on the list play really well, but like Jym said... at times sloppy. At other times they use that flutey, bluesy, bullshit that Laws NEVER hides behind.

[@ronaldo_ofalia]

Hubert Laws: number one.

[@radioimproved]

Ian Anderson introduce a jazz mentality from a salmon farming prospect of death by an arrow Speaking / humming into While resorting to finger slaps Jazz is all about that Please advise your following So many great dedicate lives Are about hard work independently List don’t matter other than Bringing to light why flute is of Value One vote Haynes ...

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Rock on!

[@ianchristie3032]

You missed out the great Australian flautist Ray Swinfield. His tone, improvisation, and technique were as accomplished as his soul. Look him up.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

I will have to check them out. Thanks for the tip!

[@jeroenpek7284]

Well, I must say a really a great summary of USA great flutist. Love them all (why not Joe Farrell who made really the difference for me as a jazz flutist) A listing though of exclusively US players is not representing the real state of the art of today . It takes a little effort to check out the others. And getting to the competitive aspect of a listing like this, this is close to competition of which Chopin already said "competition is for horses" But man, come on....the world became bigger than what the US has produced. For sure we learned from you guys in the sense of the afro-american classical music. Some agree on that concept, others think in terms of dance music, and I think both is true. And that inspired the rest of the world to produced great jazz musicians and therefor jazz flute players as well, check them out!

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Good suggestions

[@soimu3983]

Also, Harold McNair is a great jazz flute player.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thanks for watching and for the suggestion. Will have to check him out! Keep swingin'

[@poleninaki2608]

You are a dope jazz flutist btw

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thank you!!!

[@ScoobySaxCom]

Great list! I would suggest adding James Newton.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

I don't know them, but I'll look them up! Thanks for the suggestion. I'm beginning to think I will have to do a "Round 2" lol

[@ScoobySaxCom]

Had a typo. It is James (not Janes) Newton.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

@@ScoobySaxCom I just checked his playing out. Great player and impressive career! I love musicians who are able to cross between styles, in his case both classical and jazz. I hope to see him perform sometime.

[@MrPhotoBlitz]

You should make a Spotify playlist. Jeremy Steig is name, I remember but I don't know if he would be top ten. Flute Thing by the Blues Project was a piece I used to love but I don't know if I would call it jazz.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Cool, I’ll check those players out in addition to masking a Spotify list. Thanks, MrPhotoBlitz!

[@damienmeyer3028]

great list thanks by the way! and what about magic malik from reunion island?

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Not too familiar, will check them out!

[@kathycahill1698]

So embarrassing. I didn't even know that Lew Tabackin played flute. Thank God Jack Cahill exposed me to some of these musicians. I didn't even know Frank Wess played flute, either! Have to give a listen. Thanks you guys.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Those two in particular we got to play with a ton and have as friends. So great they championed the flute, an underutilized jazz instrument :)

[@ginagamba]

You have a lot here about legendary jazz musicians who doubled on the flute, but what about contemporary musicians like Bill McBirnie or Ali Ryerson who specialize in and educate classical musicians in jazz flute?

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Hi Gina, thanks for the ideas. Maybe they can go in the "next 10" flute video. I haven't heard of those players, but I will look them up!

[@keithridenhour7033]

@@PeterAndWillAnderson you are doing a great job. Ksaxman.com

[@anndaniels4034]

@@PeterAndWillAnderson Yes please. Elena Pinderhughes and Kana Miyamoto! Maybe a Contemporary list. Personally I think Hubert Laws is number one, but there are some names on this list I need to check out!

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

@@anndaniels4034 we know Elena Pinderhughes and she’s great! Her brother Samora is also a talented musician.

[@jymcaputo]

@@anndaniels4034 EXACTLY what I said above. No one comes close to the perfection that Hubert brings to every note he plays, regardless of genre.

[@rogerscungio3993]

flute so haunting ...

[@TheRealDrJoey]

People still say "flautist?" As a flutist myself I've always been mystified by how many records the mediocre Herbie Mann is on. Roland Kirk certainly belongs on the list. His "Bright Moments" was an inspiration to me in my early playing days. As to missing names, where's Frank Wess's protégé Holly Hoffman? She's probably the BEST flutist working in jazz today, and her husband, pianist Mike Wofford, has about the most impressive jazz resume imaginable.

[@flutelover3531]

Thank you very much for this video. Waiting for a Round 2 and a Round 3 about contemporary jazz flutists. I'd recommend to check out Bill McBirnie, Sarpay Ozcatagay and Michele Gori.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thank you for the recommendations! Jazz flute is under-appreciated :)

[@sibelinof]

Not to take anyone off of this list, because they are all amazing players, but to expand a wee bit..I recommend listening to Sarpay Özçagatay, he is currently teaching at Berkeley, definitely an amazing jazz flautist.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thanks for the suggestions!

[@aimoptical2294]

Yes, how about Dave Valentine? He's a legend too.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

We both got to perform with him, it was very memorable!

[@steffijmusic]

Dave Valentine played Ron Burgundy’s solo. 😎

[@1pipelion]

I there , you forgot Dave Valentin and Nestor Torres

[@jdshutman]

One of the great Jazz Albums is Flute Fever with Jeremy Steig and where is Lew Tabackin?

[@alannohlgren]

I really appreciate your video, the only one of its kind that I know of. I could nit pick a few choices & orderings of rank...but its all a question of taste, & what we were exposed to at crucial listening moments in our development. So I won't argue over the fact that you ranked a Count Base sideman above the divine Hubert Laws, or Moody above the guy who turned me on to flute full stop, Eric Dolphy. Most of your other picks were indeed doublers--saxophonists, primarily, who doubled sucessfully on flute. Hubert, however, was a pure flutiste whose sound & technique showed that at every turn. The one omission I fault you for is the phenomenal talent Joe Farrell. Although he played tenor & soprano saxes equally, he's one of the few I know of whose flute work was on a level, almost, with that of Hubert Laws. Joe Farrell's career was cut short when he succumbed to cancer at age 51 or thereabouts. Still, he left a great legacy of work as a leader & as multi instrumentalist sideman in Chic Corea's original Return To Forever group, as well as foundational work with Ray Barretto, among others. For me, the dude belongs in the top 5!

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Hi Alan, it's great to have so many knowledgeable musicians tuning it! I value your input. Thanks.

[@immanuellasker4273]

while the list was going on I was thinking: "Bro you missed James Moody" :) ...btw le me take to your attention the name of the italian polystrumentist Nicola Stilo. I don't know where you would put him in the ranking but he did some precious work working as sideman to Chet Baker.

[@bobsteckenreiner3415]

Herbie Mann makes me checking prizes for a flute

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Hopefully you meant prices? haha

[@camaroman19691969]

I must add Nestor Torres, he is world class from Puerto Rico. His sound is one of a kind.

[@claireflute2]

James Moody is my favorite!

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

I second that!

[@sainteal]

Paul Horn and Joe Farrell are also worthy mentions! Joe Thomas also has a brilliant Jazz funk recording entitled " Joy of Cookin' " and Paul Horns early recordings such as Something Blue are masterpieces!

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thanks for your input!

[@Isalsero1]

It would be great if you could do another list of Latin jazz flautists…

[@michaelwilcox5168]

I’m sure any culture can drill holes in a bone.

[@brianbillings6815]

I was glad I knew four of the ten :)

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Nice! Which ones?

[@brianbillings6815]

@@PeterAndWillAnderson Lew Tabackin, RR Kirk, Erik Dolphy & James Moody

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

@@brianbillings6815 awesome. Moody was the man!

[@brianbillings6815]

@@PeterAndWillAnderson Inspires me to go listen some of his compositions. I know of these gentlemen more than I "know their music." I'm an amateur bass clarinetist and sax player. I'm most familiar with Dolphy, Kirk and Tabackin.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

@@brianbillings6815 Those are some great names. I've gotten to play with Lew Tabackin many times, and he is a friend. Great player!

[@filippolandini9916]

Maybe would’ve added Joe Farrell (Return to Forever!)

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Great suggestion! Will have to be in Flute Players - Round 2!

[@MaiaLive]

James Newton and Nicole M Gantt are missing. Flute has a purer sound when the embouchure is not interrupted by the saxophone and other wind instruments in my opinion. So my list would include those flutist first. Sound is a major qualifier. ❤

[@olafsrensen9578]

Quite a player I liked was Joe Farell . You are quite a player worth listen to yourself Bedst from Denmark

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thank you!

[@andreaspiga8870]

I love hubert laws and Dave Valentin

[@anothernewworld9650]

I can’t believe you left out Dave Valentin.

[@Ron239]

You neglected Paul Horn, who could eat James Moody for lunch. (Listen to Horn's solo on Dun-Dunnee on "Something Blue" album. No way would Moody and many another jazz flutist be capable of that.) And of course Jeremy Steig on Flute Fever. Eric Dolphy once remarked to a friend re: Jeremy, "he's the next big thing." Sam Most played the right changes (unlike Herbie Mann who at times didn't) but tongued everything and didn't play with any depth of feeling. Bud Shank was also a good flutist as were a number of other doublers.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thanks for your ideas!

[@patriciodasilva7902]

I don't see how you could not include Paul Horn and Charles Lloyd in the line up. I saw Sam Most in concert at a club in the 70s, talked to him back stage a little. But, Moody was one of the greatist flautists, in my view.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Will have to check out more flute recordings by Charles Lloyd and Paul Horn. Not as familiar as I should be. Thanks for the tip.

[@WorldPeace-pi1uq]

Thanks for acknowledging flutists in Jazz, and your list is a good start... But to not include the master - Jeremy Steig is just missing the modern sound he pioneered. Now, he credited Moody for a lot of what he played, but Steig took it further. If you're not familiar with him - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Steig His album with Bill Evans shows Steig can play straight-ahead Jazz, but he is mostly known for his Jazz-Rock Fusion music which I think he was a true pioneer of before the genre took-off. His good friend Eddy Gomez went to high school together, and had a life-long friendship. Unfortunately, Steig passed-away in Japan in 2014. I enjoy and emulate many of the flutists you list - especially Mann, but even he admitted he didn't know what he was playing half of the time. He played by ear. Pretty good ear IMHO. I'm an international whistler (puccolo player) and also play flute, and I use flute techniques all the time. This gives me a much different sound than most whistlers. You mentioned flutists using vibrato. Really? Most don't in my experience, but Steig did - especially on bass flute which he played masterfully and with great mystic qualities. Most Jazz flutist play lots of fast scales and modes and I think that while this is impressive, it lacks the emotional elements that flute can convey. It's like flutists are over compensating for not being considered equal to the sax. As professional whistler, I understand this 2nd-class mentality. Here's Steig using nice vibrato in the beginning of Nardis: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppytaZ6vrtKVsLc And Steig playing with Jan Hammer in 1970 - Fusion. Crazy that he can produce a vocal tone, a buzz, and a flute notes all at once. Who does that? kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJeXl4ONerOUedE Steig played the full flute arsenal - from piccolo (not puccolo), alto/tenor to bass flute. Here in ? he does two things that'll blow your flute brain - Wave (not the Bossa Nova standard) - Subdivision of the beat (prelude to Jaco years later), and two notes at once at 3:34! I can't do that, and have no idea how to! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppytaZ6vrtKVsLc While Steig wasn't the premiere flutist in all Jazz sub-genres (no one was/is), he was for Jazz Blues and Jazz-Rock Fusion. A true pioneer... rest in peace Jeremy. Maybe you could do an addendum to your Top 10? FrancescoB - The Jazz Whistler... and a whole lot more! kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJeXl4ONerOUedE

[@WorldPeace-pi1uq]

And here Steig play bass flute with effects, and overdubs alto flute: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpuvkIBsq9trors What a cool sound that bass flute adds to his original composition.

[@MaiaLive]

Nicole M Mitchell (Gantt)

[@martindalmasi5340]

Norris Turney (when Duke added Flute parts)

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Yes, I've transcribed those flute solos from the Mahalia Jackson suite by Duke. If you look at the Essentially Ellington published big band charts those are my transcriptions!

[@chgjr1]

Dave Valentine is the best. What are you thinking?

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Luckily, my brother and I got to perform with Dave many years ago while in college. We played A Night in Tunisia on a concert. It was very memorable!

[@ericgrosch8073]

Bud Shank.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

YES

[@rachiddarradji1816]

Nelson Rangell, Najee, Danillo Caymmi...

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Yeah!

[@Digginbehindthedikes]

Jeremy Steig

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

I'll check him out!

[@kmhatman1954]

I was thinking Alexander Zonjic Sherry Winston and Dave Valentin would be appropriate additions to the list.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Great suggestions! We performed with Dave Valentine and it was a great experience :)

[@johnnysumlersr.4355]

Jeremy stieg

[@freddymaf7754]

Nice playing, relaxed, fluid, and articulate. Sadly, I consider your order of greatest flutists quite out of whack, although I've no objection to Moody as a possible number one. Mann, Most, Laws, and Moody ought certainly be included, but as to the rest and the order chosen . . . ?! WTF?

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thanks for watching. It's very hard to choose a top 10. There are so many good players. All you've mentioned are definitely worthy of top 10, it's just opinion.

[@richardkut3976]

How about some West Coast?

[@gtyson188]

So you're really saying Hubert Laws isn't number 1? Whatsamatta wichu? Huh?

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Good point! He very well could be...

[@jymcaputo]

@@PeterAndWillAnderson Forgive my persistence. Hubert very well SHOULD BE the undisputed flute champion in a category of his own. In a top 10 list, Hubert could have occupied all the first ten slots. That is how unique he is as a player. THEN, in the 2nd round, everybody else would fall. He's been an inspiration to me for 50 years. I'm not one to create new rules for the objective interpretive analysis of instrumental performance skills. Style and innovation have little to do with performance technique. Hell, the guy in Jethro Tull sang into his flute and lots of jazzers followed but how important was that "so-called innovation", as compared to Hubert's flawless double tonguing efforts at blazing tempos? You owe Hubert an apology....haha.

[@gtyson188]

@@jymcaputo I love it man! You're so correct about everything! There is no one alive today who can touch Hubert Laws on flute when it comes to how diverse and unique he is with it. The man can play Jazz and Classical flue inter-exchangeably in his sleep. He is one of the last grand masters left of the Golden era of Jazz music! I will always love me some Hubert Laws.

[@jymcaputo]

@@gtyson188 Hubert is the undisputed king.....and he's so humble.

[@hellbooks3024]

@@gtyson188 Student of Baker

[@brienkinkel]

How many women did you consider for the list? I'm curious to know which ones failed to make the cut. Can you provide us with names of the women who just weren't good enough?

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Hi Brien, thanks for your comment. I appreciate you checking out our top 10 videos. Who would you suggest for the list?

[@richardhallin6679]

@@PeterAndWillAnderson Gender based affirmative action for opinions?? Ignore the troll. . .but what I want to know is. . . why are the Whities" so under-represented. .. ya Afro-centric SOB! (I kid. . . but sadly, I'm thinking that Brien isn't. .. DON'T LET HIM GET UNDER YOUR SKIN!)

[@paulnebenzahl702]

Jeremy Steig. Joe Farrell. Buddy Collette.

[@johndelaney7579]

What about James Newton

[@mykinfair]

Bobbi Humphrey ❕️

[@DVDKC]

Nicola Stilo?

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

I will check them out!

[@markhiggins8315]

Harold McNair the great Jamaican jazz flautist. Actually along with Eric Dolphy and Joe Farrell my personal favourite.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

I need to take a listen to Harold McNair, I don't know him. Great suggestions! Thank you for tuning in.

[@markhiggins8315]

@@PeterAndWillAnderson Harold died pretty young so there aren't that many recordings. There is an album recorded in London with a big band/orchestra called flute and nut and a few other bits as well his very fine alto and tenor sax work some with rock bands.

[@DeltaRana4]

Great vocalised flute playing on the classic Johnny Harris album 'Movements'.

[@michaelwilcox5168]

Two words: James. Moody.

[@karenspafard8841]

I am surprised Jean-Pierre Rampal is not on your list.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Never heard them. Will do!

[@richbrig3]

No issue with this list, all excellent choices. However if there was a tie for number one I'd nomimate Paul Horn, Paul Horn, Paul Horn :)

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

All right, thanks!

[@theodorejackson3230]

Bobbi Humphrey

[@bluebaz]

Nonsense. Everyone knows the world's number one jazz flute player is Ron Burgundy

[@Bart91127]

It depends on ur own sweet taste.. Najee,Joe Farrel...cubans Tosco,Maraca and Josuè should've been included along with Dave Valentine and last but not least..Turk-American ,flutist extraordinaire,Sarpay Ozcagatay.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thanks for the ideas!

[@mathewferraro5407]

Hard to make this list and not include Joe Farrell.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Good point

[@theodorejackson3230]

Dave Valentin