Eric Allan Dolphy (June 20, 1928 – June 29, 1964) was a jazz musician who p… Read Full Bio ↴Eric Allan Dolphy (June 20, 1928 – June 29, 1964) was a jazz musician who played alto saxophone, flute and bass clarinet and was educated at Los Angeles City College. 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 clarinet. His unique and individual style utilized wide intervals, speech-like effects and exotic scales.
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.
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.
Something Sweet Something Tender
Eric Dolphy Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Something Sweet Something Tender' by these artists:
C.O.D.E. Lately I've been zoomin' through reality And all I can see S…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Eric Dolphy:
Come Sunday Ooh Lord, dear Lord above, God almighty, God of love, Pleas…
Don't Blame Me Ever since the lucky night I found you I've hung around…
Dont Blame Me Ever since the lucky night I found you I've hung around…
Glad To Be Unhappy Look at yourself If you had the sense of humor You would…
Green Dolphin Street It seems like a dream, yet I know it happened A…
I'll Remember April This lovely day will lengthen into evening We'll sigh goodby…
Laura You know the feeling of something half remembered Of somethi…
Like Someone In Love Lately, I find myself out gazing at stars, Hearing guitars…
Lover You went away I let you We broke the ties that bind I…
On Green Dolphin Street It seems like a dream, yet I know it happened A…
Speak Low Speak low when you speak, love, Our summer day withers away…
When Lights Are Low Listen to the melody entrancing Blending in a soft and sweet…
You Are Too Beautiful You are too beautiful, my dear, to be true And I…
You Don't Know What Love Is You don't know what love is 'Til you've learned the meaning…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@tuxguys
Well how about that?
An avant-garde ballad...
...by Eric Dolphy, of course.
How's this for a heavy line-up:
Eric Dolphy — bass clarinet
Freddie Hubbard — trumpet
Bobby Hutcherson — vibraphone
Richard Davis — bass
Tony Williams — drums
It's fascinating to me that Hubbard, at this moment in time one of the best (if not THE best) Jazz trumpeters on the planet, is willingly relegated to ensemble playing and lyrical melody, but it is, after all Dolphy's date, and his solo is marvelous.
The duet stuff between Dolphy and Davis in the beginning is marvelous; at the end, the unison melody playing (Dolphy in his instrument's low register, and Davis playing with a bow) is profoundly beautiful.
Is this "free" Jazz?
Moments of it, yes, but it is also highly-structured and (surprise!) rhapsodic.
@theCheesemonger
Richard Davis' playing on this is so great throughout but especially the unison part with Eric at the close. Really extraordinary piece.
@postatility9703
A ballad like no other.Just sweet enough.As with so many incredible geniuses of this music,there should be a statue of Eric Dolphy somewhere in this country.Thank you,You Tube,for providing the wider exposure necessary for new generations to enjoy these beautiful gems.
@teddyjones3055
The music this man would be making now if he were still alive. We wouldn't even be able to comprehend it. One of the most underrated geniuses of jazz.
@Astronomater
one of the first jazz albums I bought. Still amazed by his skill with so many instruments
@GymnopedieTornado
Rest in peace, Richard Davis. Thank you so much
@insaneevillogan
Wow. When you boil it down Music is partially about that tension and release, and this tune is dripping with tension. To me, that’s that “something tender”. Which makes those moments of release so “something sweet”. Really cool shit
@babalonworking6
Pure bliss!
@abrahampalmer1153
imo the 1950s/1960s was the best years of jazz music period. the most innovative and creative time year for jazz and amazing albums
@tuxguys
Well how about that?
An avant-garde ballad...
...by Eric Dolphy, of course.
How's this for a heavy line-up:
Eric Dolphy — bass clarinet
Freddie Hubbard — trumpet
Bobby Hutcherson — vibraphone
Richard Davis — bass
Tony Williams — drums
It's fascinating to me that Hubbard, at this moment in time one of the best (if not THE best) Jazz trumpeters on the planet, is willingly relegated to ensemble playing and lyrical melody, but it is, after all Dolphy's date, and his solo is marvelous.
The duet stuff between Dolphy and Davis in the beginning is marvelous; at the end, the unison melody playing (Dolphy in his instrument's low register, and Davis playing with a bow) is profoundly beautiful.
Is this "free" Jazz?
Moments of it, yes, but it is also highly-structured and (surprise!) rhapsodic.
@emilianoturazzi
not free at all. this is somehow the most "conservative" piece in the album. it has chords and the (wonderful) solo is based on them. they are not conventional of course, nevertheless this is a "tune" in chorus form