While it may not be as popular as a guitar or a piano, or as attractive to beginners like drums, the flute is still one of the most important instruments today. The instrument has a very long history, and the oldest variant ever found is believed to be about 43 millennia old and was made out of a cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) femur. But the flute as we know it today, the so-called "Western concert flute", was developed in the 19th century by German musician and inventor Theobald Boehm.
Today, the instrument is still widespread, both among classical and jazz musicians. In most settings, it works as a lead instrument, although you'll also find it as a part of a larger orchestra where it serves a backing purpose. Having such a long and prolific history, we've decided to pay this wonderful instrument a tribute by exploring the famous flute players alive today. Of course, most of them are classical musicians, but there are some that might surprise you.
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James Galway
James Galway's skills have earned him a nickname – "The Man with the Golden Flute". What's more, he has even achieved knighthood in 2001. He has been active since the 1950s and has a prolific career that includes many collaborations. He has even earned recognition very early on in his career, winning his first award at the age of 11.
But aside from classical music, there have been other collaborations, including the one with Pink Floyd's Roger Waters for "The Wall – Live in Berlin" concert back in 1990.
Barbara Ann "Bobbi" Humphrey
Of course, the flute is also present in jazz music, holding a very important place in some of its movements. One of the players that stands out within the genre is Barbara Ann Humphrey, popularly known as Bobbi Humphrey. Starting her professional career in 1971, aged only 21, she was the first-ever female musician to be signed by Blue Note Records.
She showed her jazz talents playing in New York's jazz club circuit, even joining the legendary Herbie Mann on stage. Over the decades, she has released multiple albums. But her work also became known through sampling, especially stuff recorded for her third album "Blacks and Blues".
Gareth Davies
Part of the younger generation of players, Gareth Davies has shown his extraordinary talents at an early age. Not long after finishing Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he got the role of the Principal flute Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, a great achievement for someone aged only 23. He was so talented that famous composer Karl Jenkins wrote a concerto especially for him.
Over the years, he has also developed his skills as a teacher, leading new students in various London music colleges. He even performed with an orchestra of his students at the London 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony.
Jeanne Baxtresser
Best-known for her 15-year-long tenure at the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Jeanne Baxtresser started her music journey as a child. Interestingly enough, she first tried to play the piano, but she wasn't very satisfied with the results. It was at the age of 10 when she started playing the flute, and she was hooked for life. Her first serious tenure was with the Minnesota Orchestra when she was only 14 years old. She got her higher education at the legendary Juilliard School. Aside from performing, she's also famous for her work "Orchestral Excerpts for Flute with Piano Accompaniment".
Ian Anderson
Ian Anderson is a completely different musician here. Nonetheless, he deserves to be mentioned as one of the most innovative flutists of all time, bringing the instrument into rock music. A bit of an unconventional use for this traditionally classical instrument, he achieved great success with his band, Jethro Tull, releasing 21 studio albums from 1968 and today. He's also had six solo records, including "Thick as a Brick 2", which was a follow-up to Jetro Tull's 1972 album.
Although it does seem a bit unconventional to have a rock musician playing the flute, Ian Anderson's approach pushed the limits of modern music, bringing previously unthought-of elements together.
Matt Molloy
Irish flutist Matt Molloy is one of the country's most praised musicians. But compared to other mentions on this list, Molloy is oriented towards traditional folk music, bringing this wonderful instrument into some new territories. He's also known for working with groups like The Bothy Band and The Chieftains. However, he also played with the Irish Chamber Orchestra, as well as Micheál Ó Súilleabháin, Paul Brady, Tommy Peoples, and many others.
William Bennett
One of the oldest famous flutists alive at this point is William Bennett. Born in London in 1936, he began playing a recorder at the age of 8, switching to flute at 12. At the age of 22, he got the position of the principal flute at the BBC Northern Orchestra, today known as the BBC Philharmonic. His other engagements also include the London Symphony Orchestra, Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields, and the English Chamber Orchestra.
Aside from many professional achievements and various recognitions, Bennett is also known for helping to establish perfect intonation of flutes over the decades, making him one of the most important musicians to ever touch this instrument.
Robert Dick
While he's also really into classical music, Robert Dick is one of the most unusual flutists out there. Aside from mixing different styles into his unique blend, he has also invented the "glissando headjoint" that allowed flutists to change the pitch in a similar way a guitarist can with a whammy bar. Being one of the most innovative and creative flutists, he also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Flute Association.
Emmanuel Pahud
Based in Berlin, Germany, Emmanuel Pahud is one of the unusual talented musicians who were born into a non-musical family. But this didn't stop him from becoming one of the most important flutists of our times.
Known for studying at the Conservatoire de Paris, Emmanuel has built his career being the Principal flute for the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. At that point, he was also the youngest musician in the orchestra, aged only 22. Over the years, he's also earned worldwide recognition and has even explored jazz music, something not typical of classical musicians.
Sharon Bezaly
Originally from Israel, Sharon Bezaly came into the spotlight at the age of 13 when she performed with the Israel Philharmonic, helmed by Zubin Mehta. Now living in Sweden and with a very long career behind her, she's known as one of the most prominent flutists in the world, appearing with multiple different symphony and chamber orchestras. She also has a long recording history, releasing over 20 albums during her career.
Jasmine Choi
Coming from South Korea, Jasmine Choi now lives in Austria where she extends her work way past her classical music training. She has also went into jazz, various experimental musical styles, and even pop music. What's more, she's also popular for her YouTube channel where she shares her experiences with the rest of the world. The main goal is to educate the new young flute players.
Katherine Bryan
Katherine Bryan became famous at the age of 21 when she joined the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, taking the Principal flute position. What's really interesting is that she got an Audi Young Musician award and is still the only flute player to have done so. Katherine also leads her course Scottish Masterclasses at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.
Denis Bouriakov
Born in the USSR, Denis Viktorovich Bouriakov is known as a member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. He has honed his craft in London's Royal Academy of Music where he was taught by William Bennett.
But before becoming a member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, he has also been a part of the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, Barcelona Symphony, and Catalonia National Orchestra, as well as the New York City's Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.
Hariprasad Chaurasia
Compared to other entries on this list, Hariprasad Chaurasia has a different approach to this instrument. In fact, it's a somewhat unusual nomination, since she plays the bansuri, which is a traditional Indian bamboo flute. Nonetheless, her skills and knowledge are valuable to the world of flute, bringing her unique twist to Hindustani classical music. If you want to diversify your tastes and find out something new, you should definitely check out Hariprasad Chaurasia. She has also worked with plenty of famous musicians of the Western world, including Ken Lauber, Jan Garbarek, and even jazz guitar master John McLaughlin.
Rhonda Larson
Born and raised in Montana, Rhonda Larson showcased her talents early on, winning the first prize at the National Flute Association in the Young Artist category, aged 22. Her career includes over 20 recordings, and she has also released two of her very own solo albums. What's really interesting about Rhonda is that she's way more than a classical performer as she also composes her own original pieces.
Conclusion
We usually associate flute with classical music. However, it's way more versatile than you might think. What we previously thought of "unconventional" settings, the flute has become a welcomed guest in almost any genre. This now makes it a great choice as the first instrument. If you want to get inspired, just take a listen to any of the flutists from this list.