Barbara Ann "Bobbi" Humphrey (born April 25, 1950) is an American jazz flautist and singer.
In 1971, she was the first female instrumentalist signed by Blue Note and in 1994, she founded the jazz label Paradise Sounds Records.
Dizzy Gillespie saw her play at a talent contest at Southern Methodist and inspired her to pursue a music career in New York City.
She followed his advice, moving to New York in June 1971, and she got her first break performing at the Apollo Theater on Amateur Night.
[3] Within weeks of arriving in New York, Humphrey was signed by George Butler to Blue Note.
She had already begun playing regularly throughout the city, including joining Herbie Mann on stage in Central Park and an impromptu performance on The Tonight Show.
She was asked to join the final band of trumpeter Lee Morgan, performing on his last Blue Note album in 1971.
Benson and Humphrey were guest musicians on Stevie Wonder's single "Another Star" from his Songs in the Key of Life (1976) album.
She incorporated Innovative Artist Management as well as a publishing business, The Bobbi Humphrey Music Company, which signed an agreement with Warner Bros. in 1990.