(The Blues Project - sometimes referred to as the Greenwich Village Grateful Dead)
The Blues Project were a staple in the diet of Free-form FM radio programming beginning in the late 1960's. Even though the band had broken up by 1967, they left an indelible mark on music for years after. One of the most popular tracks by them was Flute Thing, a six minute improv/instrumental. Even though he wasn't a founding member, Al Kooper was a pivotal member of the band from the 1966 period and co-wrote this track.
And the rest is history.