In this article we take a look at the legendary Herbie Mann who was one of the first musicians to elevate the flute from a supporting instrument to a lead voice in jazz.
We’ve picked 10 stand-out albums from the Herbie Mann discography which chart his prolific output and contribution to various styles of jazz.
Herbie Mann recorded over 80 albums during a remarkable recording career that saw over 25 of them appearing in the US Billboard album charts.
Although he started out on as a saxophonist and clarinetist, it was as a flutist that Herbie Mann found success, becoming one of the major jazz artists of the 60s.
Born Herbert Jay Solomon on 16 April 1930 in Brooklyn, New York City, Mann was an early enthusiast of what was to become known as world music and his early involvement in Brazil’s Bossa Nova movement preceded Stan Getz.
Mann was also a noted producer, record company owner and was never afraid to experiment in many different genres including pop and disco. He died aged 73 in 2003.
Stay tuned for our pick of 10 of the best Herbie Mann albums to listen to.
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://jazzfuel.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/adam-sieff.jpeg[/author_image] [author_info]This article was written by Adam Sieff, a jazz guy, blues fanatic, country picker, soul man, a rock ‘n’ roll doctor from the college of musical knowledge inoculated with a phonograph needle.[/author_info] [/author]
Flute Soufflé (1957) Prestige
One of two albums co-led with the flutist Bobby Jaspar, (both are also heard together on the album ‘Flute Flight’ which was recorded at the same sessions), with a fine line up featuring pianist Tommy Flanagan, guitarist Joe Puma, bassists Wendell Marshall and drummer Bobby Donaldson.
Both Mann and Jaspar switch from flute to tenor saxophone and it’s a very enjoyable four song set beautifully recorded by Rudy Van Gelder.
Yardbird Suite (1957) Savoy
Recorded only a few months after ‘Flute Souflé’, Herbie Mann again plays both flute and tenor saxophone with the same rhythm section as well as alto saxophonist Phil Woods and vibraphonist Eddie Costa.
It’s a confident bop session with tunes by guitarist Joe Puma and Phil Woods, as well as featuring a fine take on Charlie Parker’s title track.
Mann’s star was rapidly rising, and he was setting the scene for the breakthrough to come just a few years later.
Flautista! Herbie Mann plays Afro and Cuban Jazz (1959) Verve
A live album recorded in New York at Basin Street East, packaged in kitsch artwork featuring a dancer in a leotard and hat with conga drum, flute and bongos.
But look beyond the packaging, this album demonstrates just how well Mann understood the culture of ethnic and diverse music and, especially, how to present it to the public as a fusion of Afro-Cuban and bebop.
Mann is positively flying in the live setting, as is the band which only bass, drums, two percussionists and vibraphone/marimba.
Flute, Brass, Vibes, and Percussion (1961) Verve
Only two years later Mann was almost ready to change direction again, but not before making this fascinating album by a short-lived line up featuring four trumpeters (including Doc Cheatham), vibraphone, bass, drums and two percussionists.
There are jazz standards – Autumn Leaves and You Stepped Out of a Dream are examples – but the real fire here is on the two originals ‘A Ritual’ and ‘Fife ’N’ Tambourine Corps’ that take a more interesting approach.
Brazil, Bossa Nova and Blues (1962) United Artists Jazz
The ever curious Mann had now fallen in love with Bossa Nova (and the rest of the world would soon follow suit), and incorporates it into his Afro Cuban style.
It’s so exciting to hear Antônio Carlos Jobim’s ‘One Note Samba’, ‘João Gilberto’s ‘Minha Saudade’ performed in such a fresh and melodic style before the dam broke and Bossa ruled.
Herbie Mann at the Village Gate (1962) Atlantic
The first of Mann’s Village Gate live albums consists of just three tracks, but what a trio – ‘Comin’ Home Baby’, ‘Summertime’ and almost twenty minutes of ‘it Ain’t Necessarily So’.
The band were cooking, Mann was soaring and this was the big breakthrough which Atlantic Records promoted to the hilt, making it a must for any swingin’ party!
It’s been argued that Mann did as much for ‘Summertime’ as Miles Davis, see if you don’t agree…
Latin Mann (Afro to Bossa to Blues) (1965) Columbia
Mann cut this album for Columbia who gave him the kind of budget needed to record some stellar arrangements by Oliver Nelson with a twenty piece band.
The line up includes eight percussionists, ten horn players, vibraphonist Dave Pike and a young Chick Corea sharing piano duties with Charlie Palmieri.
The recording sound is fantastic and repertoire is top notch – Ray Charles’ ‘What’d I Say’, Horace Silver’s ‘Señor Blues’, Herbie Hancock’s ‘Watermelon Man’…..it’s a monster of an album.
Impressions of the Middle East (1967) Atlantic
Always restless for something new, Herbie Mann heads eastwards with this flawless Arif Martin-arranged album.
The Afro-Cuban grooves are still very much present, but there’s a whole new sound that integrates with the traditional ethnic instrumentation such as oud, zither and Arabic percussion.
Mann’s flute holds everything together, it’s a major early step in world music that still sounds fresh.
Mann: Concerto Grosso in D Blues (1968) Atlantic
It’s no exaggeration to say this album is the equal of some of the finest Miles Davis and Gil Evans collaborations.
The title track is a deeply moving symphonic recording, featuring Mann’s quintet with double bassist Ron Carter, guitarist Sonny Sharrock, vibraphonist Roy Ayers and drummer Bruno Carr, performing with an 80 piece orchestra under the direction of William Fischer at Teldec Studios in Berlin.
At just over 28 minutes in length it’s almost overwhelming at first, but is extremely rewarding.
As for the other tracks, ’Series of No Return’ is recorded with a brass ensemble, while ‘Wailing Wall’ and the beautiful ‘My Little Ones’ with a double string quartet. You need to hear this!
Memphis Underground (1968) Atlantic
Mann always had great musical radar and was acutely aware of what was happening in music.
He headed down to Memphis with his band to record with the crack rhythm section at Chips Moman’s American Studio.
The results made a huge impact on jazz and rhythm & blues, with potent soul jazz versions of Sam and Dave’s hit ‘Hold On, I’m Comin’’ and Aretha Franklin’s ‘Chain of Fools’ as well as the funky title track.
This album was followed by similar collaborations such as ‘Muscle Shoals Nitty Gritty’, ‘Memphis Two Step’ and ‘Push Push’ but this is the moment where Mann’s soul jazz fusion started.
With Larry Coryell and Roy Ayers, it features one of the finest rhythm sections anywhere!
That’s it – our pick of 10 of the best Herbie Mann albums!
Of course, we’ve only scratched the surface of Mann’s recorded output and in particular haven’t mentioned his 1975 disco hit ‘Hijack’ from the album ‘Discothèque’, or the fine records he made towards the end of his life.
But regardless of this, we hope these ten may inspire you to seek out more music by the great Mann himself.
Herbie Mann was an incredible flute player with far reaching influences. I first learned of him most recently with Memphis Two Step and from there most of his fusion jazz-soul-rock. Now learning of his earlier bossa novo and Caribean rhythm section, I am floored!!!
His flailing, trilling flow of soloing…will stay with me.