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BOBBI HUMPHREY BIOGRAPHY
BORN: April 25, 1950, Dallas, TX
Bobbi Humphrey is a jazz flautist whose musical tastes leaned toward fusion
and
smooth jazz-pop. From the outset of her career, Humphrey was quite popular,
winning a
large crossover audience with her pop-oriented jazz-fusion. Throughout
her career, her
popularity exceeded her critical acclaim, although several critics did
praise her technique
and showmanship. Despite the lack of critical praise, audiences stayed
with Humphrey
for decades, buying her records and attending her concerts from the Montreux
Festival to
Carnegie Hall.
Although Bobbi Humphrey was born in Marlin, Texas, she was raised in Dallas.
She began
playing flute in high school and continued her studies at Texas Southern
University and
Southern Methodist University. Dizzy Gillespie saw Humphrey play at a talent
contest
at Southern Methodist, and impressed with what he had heard, he urged her
to pursue a
musical career in New York City. She followed through on his advice, getting
her first big
break performing at the Apollo Theatre on Amateur Night. Shortly afterward,
she began
playing regularly throughout the city, including a gig with Duke Ellington.
Humphrey signed with Blue Note in 1971. Her smooth blend of jazz, funk,
pop and R&B fit
in well with the new sound of Blue Note, and her six albums for the label
-- Flute In, Dig
This, Blacks and Blues, Satin Doll, Live at Montreux, and Fancy Dancer
-- were all
successes. In particular, 1973's Blacks and Blues was a rousing success,
earning her a
crossover pop and R&B audience. That same year, she played the Montreux
Festival in
Switzerland. In 1976, she was named Best Female Instrumentalist by Billboard.
The
following year, she switched record labels, signing with Epic and releasing
Tailor Made
that same year. She also played on Stevie Wonder's platinum album Songs
in the Key of
Life in 1977.
Tailor Made was the first of three albums on Epic Records -- Freestyle
followed in 1978,
and The Good Life appeared about a year afterward. During the '80s, Humphrey
continued to perform regularly, even if she didn't record often. She returned
to recording
in 1989, releasing City Beat on Malaco Records. Five years later, Passion
Flute appeared
on the Paradise Sounds label. ~ Stephen
Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
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