Eric Dolphy

Eric Allan Dolphy (June 20, 1928 - June 29, 1964) was a jazz musician who played alto saxophone, flute and bass clarinet. Dolphy was the first important bass clarinet soloist in jazz, and one of the first viable flute soloists in jazz. On early recordings, he occasionally played traditional B-flat soprano clarinet.

Related Topics:
June 20 - 1928 - June 29 - 1964 - Jazz - Musician - Saxophone - Flute - Bass clarinet - Clarinet

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Dolphy was educated at Los Angeles City College. He came to prominence in drummer Chico Hamilton's quintet in 1958, and had a particularly fruitful relationship with bassist Charles Mingus, beginning 1959 and continuing intermittently until Dolphy's death from undiagnosed diabetes.

Related Topics:
Los Angeles City College - Chico Hamilton - 1958 - Charles Mingus - 1959 - Diabetes

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Dolphy recorded or played with such important jazz musicians as John Coltrane, Oliver Nelson, Ornette Coleman, Freddie Hubbard, Andrew Hill, George Russell, Bobby Hutcherson and Tony Williams. Dolphy had a unique capacity to make his instruments "speak." Charles Mingus considered Dolphy his most talented interpreter and Coltrane described Dolphy as the only horn player he could conceivably play with as an equal in the early 60's (before the free jazz explosion).

Related Topics:
John Coltrane - Oliver Nelson - Ornette Coleman - Freddie Hubbard - Andrew Hill - George Russell - Bobby Hutcherson - Tony Williams - Charles Mingus - Coltrane

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Classical music played a large role in Dolphy's early training and remained important to him. Dolphy performed and recorded Edgard Varese's Density 21.5 for solo flute as well as other classical works, and participated heavily in Third Stream efforts.

Related Topics:
Edgard Varese - Density 21.5 - Third Stream

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Dolphy's work is sometimes classified as free jazz, though Dolphy insisted his compositions and solos were grounded in a thorough, if occasionally unorthodox use of harmony. He made several unaccompanied recordings, then a rarity for woodwind instrumentalists.

Related Topics:
Free jazz - Harmony - Woodwind

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Dolphy's 1964 Blue Note recording Out to Lunch is often regarded not only as his finest, but also as one of the greatest free jazz recordings.

Related Topics:
1964 - Blue Note - Out to Lunch - Free jazz

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Dolphy died in Berlin from undiagnosed diabetes on June 29, 1964.

Related Topics:
Berlin - Diabetes

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