Flutology finds a jazzy groove

Great ideas can strike anywhere. For Holly Hofmann, it was when she was playing at Birdland in New York City.

"Frank Wess came in to see me," Hofmann said, "like he always does when I'm in New York, and my friend, Ali Ryerson, who is also a flute player, came in. We were all standing together on the break, and Frank said, 'Man, I really like this flute-sandwich business,' because we were standing on either side of him. And he said, 'I think we should have a band with three flutes.' "

Nine months later — to the day — the three were assembled again to record "First Date" for Capri Records, this time as the newly created group Flutology. Featuring three flutes and a rhythm section — bass, drum and piano — the group is a unique combination.

In fact, to Hofmann's knowledge, Flutology is the only group of its kind. "We were just performing at the Kennedy Center two weeks ago, and Dr. Billy Taylor, who runs that program, said that he had a four-flute recording with rhythm sections years and years ago, like in the '60s. There have been a few flute summits like that, but I don't think there has been this configuration."

The response has been positive. Hofmann said that when the CD first came out, it received favorable reviews. Some critics said that they weren't flute fans but that they liked Flutology.

Hofmann added that "flute is not an easy sell as an instrument in jazz, because a lot of people are so limited in their listening, they think that flute is not a jazz instrument. It's not a saxophone or guitar or one of the ones they're used to hearing."

As an example, she pointed to jazz fans who can easily name many pianists off the top of their heads or trumpet players. But when it comes to flute players, there are very few household names. "So it's still somewhat of a novelty in jazz from that standpoint."

The group plays concerts as their schedules allow, but Hofmann said that sometimes coordinating can be tricky, as they all have individual careers. She added that they're also trying to get together to do another album. But it's not easy. "Boy, to get six schedules coordinated for a gig, let alone a recording session, is really wild."

Hofmann's husband, Mike Wofford, does most of their arrangements, which are written for three flutes playing in harmony. "It's like a little mini-flute big-band sound because the harmony's so special," Hofmann said. But the three flute players, she added, have individual jazz flute styles.