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. Dolphy's work is sometimes classified as free jazz, though he insisted that his compositions and solos were grounded in a thorough, if occasionally unorthodox, use of harmony. He is often compared to Ornette Coleman.
Numerous recordings were made of live performances by Dolphy, and these have been issued by many sometimes dubious record labels, drifting in and out of print ever since. In 1964, Dolphy signed with the legendary Blue Note label and recorded Out To Lunch (once again, the label insisted on using "out" in the title). This album was deeply rooted in the avant garde, and Dolphy's solos are as dissonant and unpredictable as anything he ever recorded. Out To Lunch was deeply influential for a generation of jazz players, and remains a cornerstone in the modern jazz movement. On this album, Dolphy cemented an association with Bobby Hutcherson (they had also recorded together the previous year). Together with his work with Andrew Hill on the pianist's Point of Departure, his working relationship with Hutcherson is one of the intriguing might-have-been's of jazz history. Dolphy's 1964 Blue Note recording Out to Lunch is often regarded not only as his finest, but also as one of the greatest jazz recordings.
Dolphy had intended to settle in Europe (his fiancé was working as a ballerina in Paris) but he died in Berlin from a diabetic attack (which doctors believed was due to malnourishment) on June 29, 1964.
He still remains a legend.
He is honored by the Jesuit institution of LeMoyne College, where there is an annual event called "Dolphy Day." This day is held to honor the music and legend of Dolphy. The day has become a symbol of carefree, college fun, a time to be with friends outdoors on the first beautiful day of Spring. The 40th anniversary of Dolphy Day, celebrated April 7, 2010, honored Eric Dolphy with a life-size bronze sculpture that is the only one of its kind in the world.
I`ll Remember April
Eric Dolphy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We'll sigh goodbye to all we ever had
Alone where we have walked together
I'll remember April and be glad
I'll be content you loved me once in April
Your lips were warm and love and spring were new
I'm not afraid of autumn and her sorrow
The fire will dwindle into glowing ashes
For flames live such a little while
I won't forget but I won't be lonely
I'll remember April and smile
In Eric Dolphy's song "I'll Remember April", the lyrics describe a bittersweet sentiment towards memories of a past love. The first verse sets the scene of an idyllic day turning into evening, and the acknowledgement that the relationship has come to an end, yet the singer is finding solace in their shared memories of walking together in April. The second stanza delves deeper into the nostalgia, with a reference to the warmth of their love in the springtime and a sense of comfort in not being afraid of the inevitable season of autumn and its accompanying sorrow, as the memory of their love will still remain. The final verse acknowledges the temporality of life, with the metaphor of flames quickly burning out, but the singer will continue to hold onto and cherish their memories of April and their past relationship.
The lyrics of "I'll Remember April" capture the universal human experience of holding onto past memories of love and grappling with the emotions that come with the end of a relationship. The use of seasonal imagery and metaphors underscore the transience of life, but also offer the hope that the memories of a past love can still bring comfort and happiness. Eric Dolphy's musical arrangement, with its mournful saxophone solo, add to the poignancy of the lyrics and the emotional depth of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
This lovely day will lengthen into evening
The current happy moment will eventually pass and turn into a sad one
We'll sigh goodbye to all we ever had
The end of this happy moment will also signify the end of everything they ever shared
Alone where we have walked together
The singer will be reminded of the happy moments they had together, even when they are alone in the same place they once walked together
I'll remember April and be glad
Despite the sadness of the moment, the singer will choose to remember the happy moments they had together and find happiness in that
I'll be content you loved me once in April
The singer will find peace in knowing that they were once loved during a happy moment in the past
Your lips were warm and love and spring were new
The singer recalls the details of the happy moment, like the warmth of their lover's lips and the newness of their love in the spring
I'm not afraid of autumn and her sorrow
The singer is not afraid of sad moments because they have happy memories to hold onto
For I'll remember April and you
The singer will hold onto the memory of the happy moment and his lover to find happiness in the future
The fire will dwindle into glowing ashes
The happiness they once shared will eventually fade into a memory
For flames live such a little while
Happy moments are short-lived, and the singer acknowledges that
I won't forget but I won't be lonely
The singer will not forget the happy moment, but they will also not feel lonely because they will remember it fondly
I'll remember April and smile
The singer will choose to remember the happy moment and find joy in it
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DON RAYE, GENE DE PAUL, PATRICIA JOHNSTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind