One of the song’s many charms was its alto flute solo, played by jazz man Bud Shank, also a saxophonist. Earlier in 1966, he’d claimed a piece of Beatles-related notoriety with a minor US hit ...

Bud Shank, 82, who brought Brazilian music to U.S. audiences, helped define "cool jazz" in the 1950s and played the dreamlike flute solo on the Mamas and the Papas' 1965 hit "California Dreamin ...

Few songs capture the wistful attitude about the West Coast that permeated the 1960s quite like the Mamas and the Papas’ 1965 track, “California Dreamin.’” The song was a major hit ...

Clifford "Bud" Shank, 82, who brought Brazilian music to U.S. audiences, helped define "cool jazz" in the 1950s and played the dreamlike flute solo on the Mamas and the Papas' 1965 hit "California ...

His flute work is heard in the latter's song, "California Dreamin'." Shank reached the Billboard charts in 1966 with his album "Michelle," a collection of covers of pop hits. More recently, Shank ...

His debut solo album, Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace, is an exploration of the flute, including the Japanese shakuhachi. The record features appearances from Laraaji , Moses Sumney and ...

Though the instrument doesn't come close to the guitar or saxophone, it is on a list of the sexiest instruments, according to a new poll from "60 Minutes" and Vanity Fair.