Photo: Isaiah Thomas

Black Flute Brigade are a Los Angeles-based flute collective featuring NOAMZ, B~Free, Aaron Shaw and Jon Ta Douglas. Bringing together influences from R&B, hip-hop, jazz and soul, the four musicians reinterpret familiar tracks through their arrangements for flute. After gaining attention online for their flute versions of well-known tracks by artists across genres, the group are now preparing to release their first live mixtape, Under The Covers: Live From 2220, arriving on November 6th through Leaving Records. Recorded during their debut live performance at 2220 Arts + Archives in Los Angeles earlier this year, the mixtape features a selection of covers that reflects the range of the collective’s musical influences, with each member adding their own touch to the arrangements. A spontaneous collaboration to begin with, it has grown into a shared project built around musical freedom, community and a different take on what a flute ensemble can be.

Alongside the announcement, Black Flute Brigade have released their version of Kehlani’s ‘Folded’, bringing their flute arrangements to the contemporary R&B track. Take a listen now.