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.
Laura
Eric Dolphy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of something that never happened, yet you recall it well
You know the feeling of recognizing someone
That you've never met as far as you could tell, well
Laura is the face in the misty light
Footsteps that you hear down the hall
The laugh that floats on a summer night
And you see Laura on the train that is passing through
Those eyes, how familiar they seem
She gave your very first kiss to you
That was Laura but she's only a dream
Eric Dolphy's song "Laura" is a poignant expression of nostalgia and longing for someone who may or may not have ever existed. The lyrics describe the uncanny sensation of remembering someone or something that feels familiar, even though it is beyond the realm of conscious memory. The feeling is so vivid that it leaves an impression on the psyche, as if the experience did happen, but the mind cannot quite grasp it.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of recognizing someone who is a stranger, yet feeling an inexplicable sense of familiarity. This highlights the power of memory and the enigmatic ways in which our brains store and retrieve information. The song conveys a sense of longing for this elusive figure, who takes the form of Laura, a misty apparition that haunts the singer's thoughts and dreams.
Overall, "Laura" is a hauntingly beautiful song that evokes a sense of wistfulness and nostalgia. Eric Dolphy's mournful saxophone solo only adds to the emotional intensity of the piece. The song is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences today, over half a century after its release.
Line by Line Meaning
You know the feeling of something half remembered
Experiencing a sense of familiarity with something that is only partially recalled
Of something that never happened, yet you recall it well
Remembering something that feels like a memory but never actually took place
You know the feeling of recognizing someone
Feeling as if you have met someone before, despite never actually meeting them
That you've never met as far as you could tell, well
Acknowledging the paradoxical nature of recognizing someone despite having no evidence of ever meeting them
Laura is the face in the misty light
Laura is a metaphor for something that is difficult to clearly see or understand
Footsteps that you hear down the hall
Hearing the echoes of something that is distant and difficult to locate
The laugh that floats on a summer night
Experiencing a fleeting happiness that is difficult to capture or hold onto
That you can never quite recall
Feeling a sense of frustration at being unable to fully remember or understand something
And you see Laura on the train that is passing through
Encountering the elusive and unclear nature of Laura in a transient moment
Those eyes, how familiar they seem
Recognizing a sense of familiarity in someone or something that is difficult to explain
She gave your very first kiss to you
Reflecting on a memory of a significant moment in one's past
That was Laura but she's only a dream
Acknowledging the intangible and fleeting nature of past memories and experiences
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: David Raksin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
J. C. Osset A.
Que 13,46' GLORIOSOS. Los putos amos del futbolín.🥰😘
RAMLIA1
❤️❤️❤️
broo G
greatest alto sax solo ever!
David Cox
@alighiero alighieri Ha ha.. you're funny but you are correct. Eric is not Bird or Cannonball. They each have a unique voice.
alighiero alighieri
Hey man, this is not basketball. There is no such a thing as the GOAT. Now, if you say that Doplhy is the GOAT for you, that's a different matter. Parker was just as innovative as Dolphy and many other alto saxophone players. Dolphy was unique because he could improvise employing quarter tones without sounding off key.