Herbie Mann
Herbie Mann, born Herbert Jay Solomon on April 16, 1930, in Brooklyn, New York, was a pioneering American jazz flutist and an early advocate of world music. He was the son of Harry C. Solomon and Ruth Rose Solomon, both of whom were dancers and singers. Mann attended Lincoln High School in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, and later studied at the Manhattan School of Music from 1952 to 1954.
Mann's career began with performances at Catskills resorts at the age of 15. Initially a bop flutist in the 1950s, he played with artists like Phil Woods and explored instruments such as the tenor saxophone and bass clarinet. He became renowned for his fusion of jazz with world music, recording the Afro-Cuban jazz album "Flautista!" in 1959 after a tour of Africa. His exposure to Brazilian music led to collaborations with musicians like Antonio Carlos Jobim, which helped popularize bossa nova in the United States.
In the 1960s, Mann hired Chick Corea for his bands and continued to explore diverse musical styles, including Southern soul, blues rock, reggae, funk, and disco. His album "Memphis Underground" was a significant hit, and his single "Hi-Jack" topped the Billboard dance charts in 1975. Despite criticism from jazz purists, Mann's eclectic approach allowed him to remain active and successful, with numerous albums charting on the Billboard 200.
Mann's personal life included marriages to Ruth Shore, Jan Cloonts, and Susan Jameal Arison, and he had four children. He passed away on July 1, 2003, in Pecos, New Mexico, leaving behind a legacy as a versatile and innovative musician who broadened the scope of jazz through his incorporation of global musical influences.
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