Recently, my band directior said he wanted me to take a flute solo in a latin peice we're doing (I play trumpet in Jazz band, yes I know. It's bad)
And I decided to listen to some Jazz flute before I get all excited...

Is it SUPPOSED to sound all airy like that with what seems like no tone at all?! I listened to a demo of Herbie Mann and I just couldn't help but burst out saying "Oh...my...God...You must be kidding"

I thought it would be fun, seeing as I can play flute a million times better than trumpet and I always wanted to try flute in Jazz Band... but Jeeze!!

Jazz flutists generally do have a very distinctive tone. Not being a jazzer myself, I assume that it's because they double on other instruments, which means their embouchures are developed differently than if they played purely flute, and that they can't spend as much time on flute practice since they have to keep up the quality of their playing on multiple instruments. I'm sure Micron and others can comment on the accuracy of that assumption. Whether or not you opt to use such a tone is up to you....Most people listening to jazz flute would expect a different tone than a classical soloist, but in the end you're the one playing, so you get to make the decisions (or whoever is directing the band does).

Its not always that jazz flautists double on different instruments. Jazz is all about expression and tone is one of the best forms of expression. So jazz flute isnt always airy, and when it is, it is meant to be that way. Its just about style. Your tone doesnt need to be airy, it all depends on your style.

Please don't call me insane, but there is actually a jazz flute? It's not a flute that the player does jazz on?

No, they are referring to "jazz-style" flute playing. A style, not a different instrument.

If the piece is Latin in style, why don't you check out Nestor Torres? His tone isn't airy, but very definitely latin-flavored. You can listen to some samples of his playing here: https://www.e-cashregister.com/nestortorres/albums/sin_palabras

<Added>

Strange, that link didn't automatically hyper-link. Let's try this...

<a href="https://www.e-cashregister.com/nestortorres/albums/sin_palabras">https://www.e-cashregister.com/nestortorres/albums/sin_palabras</a>

*dances*

YES! I knew it was a style! Thanks!
Haha...I can't wait to tell one of my friends who thought that there was an actual jazz flute!

I would agree with the fact that jazz flute does not need to be airy. I listened to a jazz flute player today who teaches at one of the Universities around my area and his tone was far from airy, at times it was actually fairly chrisp and it sounded great.

Okay, well I guess It was just Herbie Mann... after I learned he taught himself how to play flute pretty much explained what I was worried about.

And the link ninafire gave me helped too.

Thanks ^^