Herbie Mann was a jazz flutist who was known for his innovative style and ability to blend different genres of music. He was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1930 and began playing the flute at the age of 15. He released his first album in 1954 and went on to record over 50 albums throughout his career. He was also a pioneer in the world music genre, incorporating elements of African, Brazilian, and Caribbean music into his work. He died in 2003, but his influence on jazz and world music continues to be felt today.