Jazz Fluteist?

Can anyone name me a jazz fluteist that were big influences in jazz? I probably didn't spell it right, but I meant people who could play the flute "^^

Try out Buddy Collette. He was a fairly famous jazz flautist, and highly influential in mostly western music.

Three come to mind. In order of importance: Eric Dolphy, Herbie Mann, Hubert Laws. Everyone else can go home now.

Eric Dolphy

Anne Drummond!!! A friend of mine who plays jazz flute was fortunate enough to take a few lessons with her, and I have had the pleasure of hearing her live several times. I'm not so sure about the "influence" part, but she's still great to listen to if that's what you're into.

One of the biggest was definitely Rashaan Roland Kirk. Yes, he's the guy everyone knows played three saxes at once, but he also was an innovative flute player, best known as one of the first musicians to hum and play flute at the same time. "Serenade to a Cuckoo" is your best example of his flute expertise.

And - just to be different ...

I'll toss in Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull. Sure it is rock. But he did use a lot of influences including jazz. Tull's ealier stuff has more jazz influence than the later stuff.

Ron Burgundy aka Will Ferril

Hubert Laws, James Moody, Herbie Mann, Roland Kirk, Yusef Lateef, Eric Dolphy, Joe Farrell

I suppose the best term is 'flautist', but that is awfully stuffy, isn't it?

I agree with those who named James Moody, Eric Dolphy, Buddy Collette, Herbie Mann and Rahsaan Roland Kirk as big influences. However, with the exception of Herbie Mann, these others 'doubled' (or in Kirk's case, 'tripled') on flute, with saxophone being their primary instrument.

Hubert Laws is a 'true' flautist and he certainly has had an enormous impact on fusion/funk jazz flute playing. Joe Farrell was amazing on the flute (especially with Return to Forever's 'Light as a Feather'), but again, he was primarily a saxophonist.

I disagree with the statement that Ian Anderson had an influence on jazz flute. That 'throaty' growl stuff he uses came from Rahsaan Roland Kirk's innovations. He has openly admitted that in interviews. You cannot call Jethro Tull a jazz band by any stretch of the imagination.

If I had to name one flautist who stood by his own merits and influenced not only jazz, but funk, soul and fusion, it would be Herbie Mann, no question!

to be sure, Eric Dolphy, Yusef Lateef (I was just listening to him earlier today!), Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Herbie Mann are all names that should be mentioned. I suppose that Hubert Laws belongs on any such list, also. that said, here's a few worthy names that have been, as of yet, unfortunately left off: Don Cherry. Sonny Fortune. Sam Rivers. Pharoah Sanders. Henry Threadgill. I suppose the list could go on, but I'll leave it at that and let others add to it...

...actually, I guess I will add to it. here's 2 names that I forgot, when I shouldn't have: Bennie Maupin. Jerome Richardson. take care!

Najee.

Herbie Mann
Eric Dolphy
Bobbi Humphrey
David Fathead Newman