Top 10 Famous Flugelhorn Players You Should Know

The flugelhorn, with its rich, velvety tone, has always taken a special place in jazz. Considered as the softer, lyrical cousin of the trumpet, this instrument attracted many famous musicians, both of the past decades and those who continue to share their music with the world these days. Would you like to know the names of the most famous flugelhorn players? Then check out our list below. 

1. Clark Terry (December 14, 1920 – February 21, 2015)

This American swing and bebop trumpeter entered the history of music as a pioneer of the flugelhorn in jazz. He started playing professionally in the late 1930s, collaborating with Count Basie and Duke Ellington while being a member of their orchestras. He impressed the audience with his technique. During his time with Duke Ellington he earned a reputation as one of jazz's most lyrical and smooth soloists.

He was also a major influence on many musicians, including Miles Davis and Quincy Jones. Terry frequently appeared on US television, which was something new for African American musicians. He focused on flugelhorn since the 1970s, playing it by revealing full potential. During that period he also held workshops and master classes. 

2. Kenny Baker (March 1, 1921 –  December 7, 1999) 

This English musician from Withernsea played several instruments, including a flugelhorn, a trumpet, and cornet. At the age of 17, he already performed as a professional musician in the brass band. Thanks to his flawless technique and early experience as a band player, he frequently played concerts in London clubs. During his career, he crossed paths with Frank Sinatra, Petula Clark, Sammy Davis Jr., and Tony Bennett. He is also known for forming the group  'Best of British Jazz', as well as performing on James Bond soundtracks, and with The Beatles. 

3. Art Farmer (August 21, 1928 – October 4, 1999) 

This American jazz musician is known for playing a trumpet, a flugelhorn and a trumpet-flugelhorn-combination specially crafted for him. In elementary school, he started playing the piano, later switching to the tuba and violin. He discovered a trumpet for himself when he was 13. Art Farmer started performing professionally during his high school years, after he moved to Los Angeles together with his brother in 1945. During his time in Los Angeles, he was attracted to bebop and swing, both played by big bands, and enchanted by music of Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, and Fats Navarro. 

Art Farmer was gradually discovering his possibilities, expanding his repertoire from bebop to experimental music. While initially using a trumpet, Art Farmer transitioned to the flugelhorn in the late 1960s. He helped establish it as a soloist’s instrument in jazz. Thanks to him, the flugelhorn became one of the most important jazz voices.  Art Farmer is known for playing a trumpet–flugelhorn hybrid, designed for him by instrument maker David Monette.  This instrument, also called a flumpet, was adaptable to various settings, allowing Art to play with small groups and big bands.

4. Ack van Rooyen (1 January 1930 – 18 November 2021) 

This Dutch flugelhornist and trumpeter also began his musical career at an early age, playing in the military band. He studied at  Royal Conservatory of The Hague, performed with well-known jazz and dance orchestra from The Netherlands, The Rambles in the late 1950s and played with a big band at Sender Freies Berlin in the 1960s after moving to Germany. During the 1980s he shared his experience as a teacher at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. 

5. Harold Winston "Harry" Beckett (30 May 1935 – 22 July 2010) 

This musician got his first musical experience when playing with the Salvation Army band. During the 1960s, he recorded and collaborated with English jazz bassist and composer Graham Collier, however from the 1970s Beckett started establishing his own bands, with whom he recorded for many labels, including Philips, RCA and Ogun Records. Harry Beckett also collaborated with many famous ensembles from London, such as The Dedication Orchestra, London Jazz Composers Orchestra, London Improvisers Orchestra. Beckett was a winner of the jazz poll held by the British weekly magazine Melody Maker, and was recognized as "Top Trumpeter in Britain". 

6. Fred Stone (September 9, 1935 – December 10, 1986) 

This flugelhornist from Canada worked within classical and jazz repertoires during the 1950s–1970s. He started his career at the age of 16. Fred shared the stage with many greats, including the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and many more. Starting from the 1970s, he switched to education, becoming a teacher for the younger generation of musicians and frequently appearing on the stage together with his students. In 1984, he formed "Freddie's Band" with whom he performed to his last days. 

7. Freddie Hubbard (April 7, 1938 – December 29, 2008)

This American jazz trumpeter and flugelhorn player entered jazz history as one of the most technically gifted and innovative musicians. He successfully recorded for Blue Note Records, where he released classic albums that defined the hard bop genre. Freddie’s style blended bebop, hard bop, and fusion. As a flugelhorn player he contributed solos  to Elton John’s track "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (Part Two)" from the Reg Strikes Back album.  Freddie Hubbard was a winner of several Grammy Awards and was regarded as one of the greatest trumpet and flugelhorn players. 

8. Chuck Mangione (born in 1940)

This American flugelhornist, trumpeter and composer from Rochester, New York, is known for being a member of Art Blakey's band Jazz Messengers in the 1960s, and co-leading the Jazz Brothers. During the 1970s, he frequently played and recorded with Mangione's quartet together with saxophonist Gerry Niewood. His discography includes more than 30 albums since the 1960s.  His song "Chase the Clouds Away"  was used during an international multi-sport event Summer Olympics in 1976. His other work "Give It All You Got" became the theme to the Winter Olympic Games in 1980. 

9. Stephane Belmondo  (born in 1967) 

This French jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist, and drummer started to play music at a very early age, encouraged by his father, who was a professional saxophonist. He began from percussion instruments and then switched to accordion, trumpet, and other instruments. At the age of 15, he and his brother established a quintet. Belmondo was part of Laurent Cugny's big band. Together with his brother Lionel Belmondo and Yusef Lateef, he became a winner of the best French album category during 2003, 2004 and 2005. Stephane also won awards in the French Victoires du Jazz awards. 

10. Yazz Ahmed (born in 1983)

This female flugelhorn player is known for blending Arabic and Western influences. Encouraged by her grandfather, who was also a jazz trumpeter, she started playing the trumpet at an early age. Yazz studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Her album La Saboteuse, released in 2017, brought her international acclaim. The British music magazine The Wire called it Jazz Album of the Year. Also, it was included into Bandcamp's Top 100 Albums. 

Yazz Ahmed collaborated with many famous musicians, such as the London Jazz Orchestra, Radiohead, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Arturo O’Farrill, Ash Walker, Lee Perry, and many others. 

Conclusion 

We hope you enjoyed our quick excursion into the world of musicians who have not only mastered the flugelhorn but also elevated it to new artistic heights. 

If you want to update your own flugelhorn with useful accessories or buy some tools to refine your skills, take a look at our Custom Brass Instruments & Accessories, where you can find shelter bags, single, double and triple flugelhorn gig bags, and other useful products.