Jazz musician Bud Shank dies in Tucson at 82

His flute work is heard on Mamas and Papas’ ‘California Dreamin’ ’

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updated 7:56 p.m. ET April 5, 2009

TUCSON, Ariz. - Clifford "Bud" Shank, a flutist and alto saxophonist who worked with such famous acts as the Mamas and the Papas, has died. He was 82.

Shank died Thursday of pulmonary failure at his home in Tucson, according to his Web site and JazzTimes magazine. No phone numbers were listed for Shank's home.

A native of Dayton, Ohio, Shank worked with saxophonist Charlie Barnet in North Carolina before moving to California in the 1940s. There, he played with trumpeter Shorty Rogers and then pianist Stan Kenton.

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Shank was one of the first jazz musicians to explore Brazilian music, and recorded a number of albums for World Pacific, a world music label, from the 1950s to the 1970s, according to JazzTimes.

During his career, Shank worked with Sergio Mendes and the Mamas and the Papas. 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 focused on his alto work and formed the Bud Shank Big Band in 2007. Shank was recording a new album in San Diego the day before he died.