Moe Koffman

Moe Koffman first gained widespread recognition through a 1957 recording of "Swinging Shepherd Blues" that showcased his flute in a memorable way. Across his long career he remained a sought-after soloist whose work moved between cool-toned bop and jazz treatments of lighter, pop-leaning repertoire, even as chart success at times eclipsed his abilities as an improviser. Although Canada served as his primary home, he performed with the ensembles of Sonny Dunham, Ralph Flanagan, Charlie Barnet, Tex Beneke, and Jimmy Dorsey throughout the United States in the first half of the 1950s. He later maintained a long-running residency at Toronto’s George’s Spaghetti House—one week each month—for more than thirty years, while also contributing extensively to studio sessions and remaining a member of Rob McConnell’s Boss Brass beginning in 1972. Only a small portion of his discography is currently obtainable, among them early dates for Jubilee and two albums issued by Duke Street in the mid-’80s.