Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

June 20, 1928 in Los Angeles, CA

Death

:

June 29, 1964 in Berlin, Germany

 

Eric Dolphy was an American jazz musician and composer who was born on June 20, 1928, in Los Angeles, California. He was raised in a musical family, and his mother was a pianist and his father played the clarinet. Dolphy began playing the clarinet at the age of six and later switched to the alto saxophone. He also played the bass clarinet, flute, and other woodwind instruments. Dolphy attended Los Angeles City College, where he studied music theory and composition. He also played in local jazz clubs and began to gain a reputation as a talented musician. In 1958, he moved to New York City to pursue his music career. Dolphy quickly became a sought-after musician in the New York jazz scene, playing with such notable musicians as John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, and Ornette Coleman. He was known for his innovative and avant-garde style, which incorporated elements of free jazz, bebop, and classical music. Dolphy's first album as a bandleader, "Outward Bound," was released in 1960. The album featured his own compositions and showcased his unique style of playing. He continued to release albums throughout the 1960s, including "Far Cry," "At the Five Spot," and "Iron Man." One of Dolphy's most famous compositions is "Out to Lunch," which was released in 1964. The album featured a quintet that included Dolphy on alto saxophone, bass clarinet, and flute, as well as Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, Richard Davis on bass, and Tony Williams on drums. The album is considered a masterpiece of avant-garde jazz and features complex and challenging compositions. Dolphy was also known for his collaborations with other musicians, including Charles Mingus. He played on several of Mingus's albums, including "Mingus Ah Um" and "Blues and Roots." Dolphy's bass clarinet solo on the track "Hora Decubitus" from "Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus" is considered one of his most memorable performances. Tragically, Dolphy died at the young age of 36 from complications related to undiagnosed diabetes. However, his legacy as a pioneering jazz musician and composer lives on. He was posthumously inducted into the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1964 and the International Jazz Hall of Fame in 1997. In conclusion, Eric Dolphy was a groundbreaking jazz musician and composer who pushed the boundaries of the genre with his innovative and avant-garde style. His compositions and performances continue to inspire and influence musicians today, and his legacy as a pioneering jazz musician will always be remembered.

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