Eric Dolphy

Eric Dolphy

10559 fans

Despite his death at a young age, Eric Dolphy was a pioneering free-jazz star whose wild, expressive reed-playing took be-bop down thrilling new avenues in the 1950s and '60s and influenced generations that followed.

Born in Los Angeles to immigrants from Panama, he started playing the clarinet at the age of six and became obsessed with jazz after discovering Fats Waller, Duke Ellington and Coleman Hawkins while playing in high school orchestras. He earned a music scholarship to the University of Southern California when he was just 13, before studying at the City College under the guidance of band leader Lloyd Reese and classical flautist Elise Moennig, cutting his teeth with Roy Porter's big band.

A successful spell touring with Chico Hamilton's sextet led to him moving to New York in 1959, where his career took off with sideman sessions for greats like Charlie Mingus, John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman. His debut recording as a band leader was full of regulation be-bop grooves on 'Outward Bound' in 1960, but he really started letting loose and experimenting when he teamed up with trumpeter Booker Little on albums 'Far Cry' and 'Out Front'. The joyous, volcanic signature sound of his alto saxophone and bass clarinet further came to life on live album 'At the Five Spot' in 1961 and he showed off his mastery of the flute with performances of contemporary French composer Edgard Varese's works and recordings with modern jazz arranger John Lewis. He also worked with Freddie Hubbard, Max Roach and Andrew Hill before his 1964 Blue Note album 'Out to Lunch' captured his expressive energy, flawless technique, elegant phrasing and avant-garde, improvised ideas and became regarded as one of the landmark free-jazz records of the era. Sadly he headed to Europe on tour with Charlie Mingus soon afterwards, and it was there that his undiagnosed diabetes led to him slipping into a coma. He died in Berlin aged 36.

Top tracks

01
Stolen Moments
Oliver Nelson
The House That Trane Built: The Best of Impulse Records
08:45
Writer: Oliver Nelson / Composers: Oliver Nelson
03
Far Cry
Eric Dolphy
Far Cry
03:56
Composers: Eric Dolphy
01
Images
Oliver Nelson
Straight Ahead
05:43
Writer: Oliver Nelson / Composers: Oliver Nelson
02
Six And Four
Oliver Nelson
Straight Ahead
07:14
Writer: Oliver Nelson / Composers: Oliver Nelson
03
Gazzelloni (Remastered 1998/Rudy Van Gelder Edition)
Eric Dolphy
Out To Lunch (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition)
07:22
Composers: Eric Dolphy
04
Ralph's New Blues
Eric Dolphy
Straight Ahead
09:54
Writer: Milt Jackson / Composers: Milt Jackson
01
Hat And Beard
Eric Dolphy
Out To Lunch (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition)
08:24
Composers: Eric Dolphy
01
My Favorite Things
John Coltrane
Favorites
25:05
Composers: Richard Rodgers - Oscar Hammerstein II
02
Something Sweet, Something Tender (Remastered 1998/Rudy Van Gelder Edition)
Eric Dolphy
Out To Lunch (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition)
06:02
Composers: Eric Dolphy
08
Serene
Eric Dolphy
Far Cry
06:37
Composers: Eric Dolphy
02
Something Sweet, Something Tender (Live At The University Of Illinois/1963)
Eric Dolphy
The Illinois Concert
01:27
Composers: Eric Dolphy
03
Mama Lou
Oliver Nelson
Straight Ahead
05:01
Writer: Oliver Nelson / Composers: Oliver Nelson
05
Left Alone
Eric Dolphy
Far Cry
06:42
Writer: Billie Holiday - Mal Waldron / Composers: Billie Holiday - Mal Waldron
01
Fire Waltz
Eric Dolphy
At The 5 Spot, Vol. 1
13:42
Composers: Mal Waldron
01
Softly As In A Morning Sunrise (Live At The University Of Illinois/1963)
Eric Dolphy
The Illinois Concert
20:20
Writer: Oscar Hammerstein II / Composers: Sigmund Romberg
06
Red Planet (Live At The University Of Illinois/1963)
Eric Dolphy
The Illinois Concert
12:27
Writer: Eric Dolphy / Composers: Eric Dolphy
04
Out To Lunch (Remastered 1998/Rudy Van Gelder Edition)
Eric Dolphy
Out To Lunch (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition)
12:06
Writer: Eric Dolphy / Composers: Eric Dolphy
05
Straight Up And Down (Remastered 1998/Rudy Van Gelder Edition)
Eric Dolphy
Out To Lunch (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition)
08:19
Composers: Eric Dolphy
10
Status Seeking (Live)
Eric Dolphy
Prestige Profiles: Eric Dolphy
13:19
Composers: Mal Waldron
02
Ode To Charlie Parker
Eric Dolphy
Far Cry
08:45
Writer: Jaki Byard / Composers: Jaki Byard
03
First Bass Line
The Latin Jazz Quintet
Caribé
04:07
Writer: Gene Casey / Composers: Gene Casey
05
Iron Man (Live At The University Of Illinois/1963)
Eric Dolphy
The Illinois Concert
10:59
Composers: Eric Dolphy
02
Bee Vamp (Album Version)
Eric Dolphy
At The 5 Spot, Vol. 1
12:11
Composers: Booker Little
03
The Prophet (Album Version)
Eric Dolphy
At The 5 Spot, Vol. 1
21:22
Composers: Eric Dolphy
05
Yes Indeed (RVG Remaster)
Ron Carter
Where? (RVG Remaster)
05:49
Composers: Sy Oliver
01
Out There
Eric Dolphy
Out There (Rudy Van Gelder Remaster)
06:52
Composers: Eric Dolphy - Charles Mingus
02
Serene
Eric Dolphy
Out There (Rudy Van Gelder Remaster)
07:01
Composers: Eric Dolphy
07
G.W. (Live At The University Of Illinois/1963)
Eric Dolphy
The Illinois Concert
07:41
Composers: Eric Dolphy
04
Eclipse
Eric Dolphy
Out There (Rudy Van Gelder Remaster)
02:45
Composers: Charles Mingus
04
Miss Ann
Eric Dolphy
Far Cry
04:18
Composers: Eric Dolphy
06
Sketch Of Melba
Eric Dolphy
Out There (Rudy Van Gelder Remaster)
04:40
Composers: Randy Weston
03
The Baron
Eric Dolphy
Out There (Rudy Van Gelder Remaster)
02:57
Composers: Eric Dolphy
07
Feathers
Eric Dolphy
Out There (Rudy Van Gelder Remaster)
05:00
Composers: Hale Smith
01
Mrs. Parker Of K.C. (Bird's Mother)
Eric Dolphy
Far Cry
08:03
Writer: Jaki Byard / Composers: Jaki Byard
06
Tenderly
Eric Dolphy
Far Cry
04:20
Writer: Walter Gross - Jack Lawrence / Composers: Walter Gross - Jack Lawrence
04
South Street Exit (Live At The University Of Illinois/1963)
Eric Dolphy
The Illinois Concert
07:29
Composers: Eric Dolphy
07
Meditations
Charles Mingus Sextet
Cornell 1964
31:23
Composers: Charles Mingus
07
It's Magic
Eric Dolphy
Far Cry
05:41
Writer: Sammy Cahn - Jule Styne / Composers: Sammy Cahn - Jule Styne
01
Jitterbug Waltz
Eric Dolphy
Musical Prophet: The Expanded 1963 N.Y. Studio Sessions
07:16
Writer: Fatz Waller / Composers: Fatz Waller
05
Ode to Charlie Parker
Eric Dolphy
Musical Prophet: The Expanded 1963 N.Y. Studio Sessions
08:04
Writer: Eric Dolphy / Composers: Eric Dolphy
03
Number Eight (Potsa Lotsa)
Eric Dolphy
At the Five Spot, Vol. 2 [Rudy Van Gelder Remaster]
15:33
Composers: Eric Dolphy
02
Curtsy (Remastered 2025)
Eric Dolphy
Looking Ahead (Remastered 2025)
05:53
Writer: Ken McIntyre / Composers: Ken McIntyre
03
Love Me
Eric Dolphy
Musical Prophet: The Expanded 1963 N.Y. Studio Sessions
03:19
Writer: Ned Washington - Victor Young / Composers: Ned Washington - Victor Young
06
Fire Waltz (Live)
Mal Waldron
Best Of Eric Dolphy, The
08:00
Composers: Mal Waldron
05
Spring Is Here
The Latin Jazz Quintet
Caribé
05:08
Writer: Lorenz Hart - Richard Rodgers / Composers: Richard Rodgers
10
Jitterbug Waltz
Charles Mingus Sextet
Cornell 1964
09:59
Composers: Thomas "Fats" Waller
02
Like Someone In Love
Eric Dolphy
At the Five Spot, Vol. 2 [Rudy Van Gelder Remaster]
19:59
Composers: Van Heusen-Burke
08
So Long Eric
Charles Mingus Sextet
Cornell 1964
15:33
Composers: Charles Mingus
01
Screamin' The Blues (Rudy Van Gelder Remaster-2006)
Oliver Nelson Sextet
Screamin' The Blues
10:58
Writer: Oliver Nelson / Composers: Oliver Nelson
06
The Meeting
Eric Dolphy
Berlin Concerts
05:40
Composers: Eric Dolphy
08
Glad To Be Unhappy (Live)
Eric Dolphy
Best Of Eric Dolphy, The
06:17
Writer: Lorenz Hart / Composers: Richard Rodgers
02
Blues In 6/8
The Latin Jazz Quintet
Caribé
05:47
Writer: Juan Amalbert - Ricci / Composers: Juan Amalbert - Ricci
02
Three Seconds
Oliver Nelson
Essential Jazz Recordings 1950-1960
06:25
Composers: Oliver Nelson

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  • Discography
Albums
Cornell 1964
â„— 2007 The Blue Note Label Group
01-01-2007
Cornell 1964
01
Opening
Charles Mingus Sextet
Cornell 1964
00:17
Composers: Non Music Work
02
ATFW You
Charles Mingus Sextet
Cornell 1964
04:26
Composers: Charles Mingus
03
Sophisticated Lady
Charles Mingus Sextet
Cornell 1964
04:23
Composers: Duke Ellington - Irving Mills - Mitchell Parish
04
Fables Of Faubus
Charles Mingus Sextet
Cornell 1964
29:42
Composers: Charles Mingus
05
Orange Was The Color Of Her Dress, Then Blue Silk
Charles Mingus Sextet
Cornell 1964
15:05
Composers: Charles Mingus
06
Take The A Train
Charles Mingus Sextet
Cornell 1964
17:26
Composers: Billy Strayhorn
07
Meditations
Charles Mingus Sextet
Cornell 1964
31:23
Composers: Charles Mingus
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
Best Of Eric Dolphy, The
This Compilation â„— 2004 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-2004
Best Of Eric Dolphy, The
01
Out There
Eric Dolphy
Best Of Eric Dolphy, The
06:55
Composers: Eric Dolphy - Charles Mingus
02
On Green Dolphin Street
Eric Dolphy Quintet
Best Of Eric Dolphy, The
05:45
Writer: Bronislaw Kaper - Ned Washington / Composers: Bronislaw Kaper - Ned Washington
03
Far Cry
Eric Dolphy
Best Of Eric Dolphy, The
03:56
Composers: Eric Dolphy
04
Serene
Eric Dolphy
Best Of Eric Dolphy, The
07:01
Composers: Eric Dolphy
05
Miss Ann
Eric Dolphy
Best Of Eric Dolphy, The
04:18
Composers: Eric Dolphy
06
Fire Waltz (Live)
Mal Waldron
Best Of Eric Dolphy, The
08:00
Composers: Mal Waldron
07
G.W.
Eric Dolphy Quintet
Best Of Eric Dolphy, The
07:59
Composers: Eric Dolphy
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
Prestige Profiles: Eric Dolphy
This Compilation â„— 2004 Concord Music Group, Inc
01-01-2004
Prestige Profiles: Eric Dolphy
01
Out There
Eric Dolphy
Prestige Profiles: Eric Dolphy
06:55
Composers: Eric Dolphy - Charles Mingus
02
On Green Dolphin Street
Eric Dolphy Quintet
Prestige Profiles: Eric Dolphy
05:45
Writer: Bronislaw Kaper - Ned Washington / Composers: Bronislaw Kaper - Ned Washington
03
Far Cry
Eric Dolphy
Prestige Profiles: Eric Dolphy
03:56
Composers: Eric Dolphy
04
Serene
Eric Dolphy
Prestige Profiles: Eric Dolphy
07:01
Composers: Eric Dolphy
05
Miss Ann
Eric Dolphy
Prestige Profiles: Eric Dolphy
04:18
Composers: Eric Dolphy
06
Fire Waltz (Live)
Mal Waldron
Prestige Profiles: Eric Dolphy
08:00
Composers: Mal Waldron
07
G.W.
Eric Dolphy Quintet
Prestige Profiles: Eric Dolphy
07:59
Composers: Eric Dolphy
Access the complete album info (17 songs)
The Illinois Concert
â„— 1999 Blue Note Records
01-01-1999
The Illinois Concert
01
Softly As In A Morning Sunrise (Live At The University Of Illinois/1963)
Eric Dolphy
The Illinois Concert
20:20
Writer: Oscar Hammerstein II / Composers: Sigmund Romberg
02
Something Sweet, Something Tender (Live At The University Of Illinois/1963)
Eric Dolphy
The Illinois Concert
01:27
Composers: Eric Dolphy
03
God Bless The Child (Live At The University Of Illinois/1963)
Eric Dolphy
The Illinois Concert
08:45
Writer: Billie Holiday / Composers: Arthur Herzog Jr.
04
South Street Exit (Live At The University Of Illinois/1963)
Eric Dolphy
The Illinois Concert
07:29
Composers: Eric Dolphy
05
Iron Man (Live At The University Of Illinois/1963)
Eric Dolphy
The Illinois Concert
10:59
Composers: Eric Dolphy
06
Red Planet (Live At The University Of Illinois/1963)
Eric Dolphy
The Illinois Concert
12:27
Writer: Eric Dolphy / Composers: Eric Dolphy
07
G.W. (Live At The University Of Illinois/1963)
Eric Dolphy
The Illinois Concert
07:41
Composers: Eric Dolphy
The Complete Prestige Recordings
This Compilation â„— 1995 Prestige Records, Distributed by Concord.
20-11-1995
The Complete Prestige Recordings
01
G.W.
Eric Dolphy Quintet
The Complete Prestige Recordings
07:59
Composers: Eric Dolphy
02
On Green Dolphin Street
Eric Dolphy Quintet
The Complete Prestige Recordings
05:45
Writer: Bronislaw Kaper - Ned Washington / Composers: Bronislaw Kaper - Ned Washington
03
Les (Rudy Van Gelder Remaster)
Eric Dolphy Quintet
The Complete Prestige Recordings
05:14
Writer: Eric Dolphy / Composers: Eric Dolphy
04
245 (Instrumental)
Eric Dolphy Quintet
The Complete Prestige Recordings
06:49
Composers: Eric Dolphy
05
Glad To Be Unhappy (Instrumental)
Eric Dolphy Quintet
The Complete Prestige Recordings
05:29
Writer: Lorenz Hart / Composers: Richard Rodgers
06
Miss Toni (Instrumental)
Eric Dolphy Quintet
The Complete Prestige Recordings
05:39
Writer: Charles Greenlee / Composers: Charles Greenlee
07
April Fool (Instrumental)
Eric Dolphy Quintet
The Complete Prestige Recordings
04:10
Writer: Unknown / Composers: Unknown
Access the complete album info (89 songs)
Caribé
â„— 1994 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-1994
Caribé
01
Caribé
The Latin Jazz Quintet
Caribé
10:08
Writer: Gene Casey / Composers: Gene Casey
02
Blues In 6/8
The Latin Jazz Quintet
Caribé
05:47
Writer: Juan Amalbert - Ricci / Composers: Juan Amalbert - Ricci
03
First Bass Line
The Latin Jazz Quintet
Caribé
04:07
Writer: Gene Casey / Composers: Gene Casey
04
Mambo Ricci
The Latin Jazz Quintet
Caribé
06:57
Writer: Juan Amalbert - Ricci / Composers: Juan Amalbert - Ricci
05
Spring Is Here
The Latin Jazz Quintet
Caribé
05:08
Writer: Lorenz Hart - Richard Rodgers / Composers: Richard Rodgers
06
Sunday Go Meetin'
The Latin Jazz Quintet
Caribé
05:50
Writer: Gene Casey / Composers: Gene Casey
Eric Dolphy In Europe, Vol. 1
â„— 1989 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-1989
Eric Dolphy In Europe, Vol. 1
01
Hi-Fly (Live)
Eric Dolphy
Eric Dolphy In Europe, Vol. 1
13:49
Writer: Randy Weston / Composers: Randy Weston
02
Glad To Be Unhappy (Live)
Eric Dolphy
Eric Dolphy In Europe, Vol. 1
06:17
Writer: Lorenz Hart / Composers: Richard Rodgers
03
God Bless The Child (Live At Studenterforeningen, Copenhagen, DK / September 8, 1961)
Eric Dolphy
Eric Dolphy In Europe, Vol. 1
07:08
Writer: Billie Holiday - Arthur Herzog / Composers: Billie Holiday - Arthur Herzog
04
Oleo (Live)
Eric Dolphy
Eric Dolphy In Europe, Vol. 1
07:35
Writer: Sonny Rollins / Composers: Sonny Rollins
Eric Dolphy In Europe, Vol. 2
â„— 1989 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-1989
Eric Dolphy In Europe, Vol. 2
01
Don't Blame Me
Eric Dolphy
Eric Dolphy In Europe, Vol. 2
11:15
Writer: Dorothy Fields - Jimmy McHugh / Composers: Dorothy Fields - Jimmy McHugh
02
Don't Blame Me (Take 2)
Eric Dolphy
Eric Dolphy In Europe, Vol. 2
13:07
Writer: Dorothy Fields - Jimmy McHugh / Composers: Dorothy Fields - Jimmy McHugh
03
The Way You Look Tonight
Eric Dolphy
Eric Dolphy In Europe, Vol. 2
09:35
Writer: Jerome Kern - Dorothy Fields / Composers: Jerome Kern - Dorothy Fields
04
Miss Ann
Eric Dolphy
Eric Dolphy In Europe, Vol. 2
05:44
Writer: Eric Dolphy / Composers: Eric Dolphy
05
Laura
Eric Dolphy
Eric Dolphy In Europe, Vol. 2
13:44
Writer: David Raksin - Johnny Mercer / Composers: David Raksin - Johnny Mercer
Eric Dolphy In Europe, Vol. 3
â„— 1989 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-1989
Eric Dolphy In Europe, Vol. 3
01
Woody'n You (Live)
Eric Dolphy
Eric Dolphy In Europe, Vol. 3
10:24
Composers: Dizzy Gillespie
02
When The Lights Are Low (Live)
Eric Dolphy
Eric Dolphy In Europe, Vol. 3
12:12
Composers: Benny Carter
03
In The Blues (Live)
Eric Dolphy
Eric Dolphy In Europe, Vol. 3
17:09
Composers: Eric Dolphy
Memorial Album
â„— 1989 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-1989
Memorial Album
01
Number Eight (Potsa Lotsa) (Live)
Eric Dolphy
Memorial Album
16:31
Writer: Eric Dolphy / Composers: Eric Dolphy
02
Booker's Waltz (Live)
Eric Dolphy
Memorial Album
14:36
Composers: Booker Little
Other Aspects
â„— 1987 Blue Note Records
01-01-1987
Other Aspects
01
Jim Crow
Eric Dolphy
Other Aspects
06:45
Composers: Eric Dolphy
02
Inner Flight No. 1
Eric Dolphy
Other Aspects
04:04
Composers: Eric Dolphy
03
Dolphy-N
Eric Dolphy
Other Aspects
06:45
Composers: Eric Dolphy
04
Inner Flight No. 2
Eric Dolphy
Other Aspects
04:04
Composers: Eric Dolphy
05
Improvisations And Tukras
Eric Dolphy
Other Aspects
10:47
Composers: Traditional
Here And There
â„— 1991 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-1966
Here And There
01
Status Seeking (Live)
Eric Dolphy
Here And There
13:19
Composers: Mal Waldron
02
God Bless The Child (Live At The Five Spot, New York, NY / July 16, 1961)
Eric Dolphy
Here And There
05:34
Composers: Billie Holiday - Arthur Herzog
03
April Fool (Instrumental)
Eric Dolphy Quintet
Here And There
04:10
Composers: Unknown
04
G.W. (Take 1)
Eric Dolphy Quintet
Here And There
12:11
Composers: Eric Dolphy
05
Don't Blame Me (Take 2)
Eric Dolphy
Here And There
13:07
Composers: Dorothy Fields - Jimmy McHugh
Out To Lunch (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition)
â„— 1999 Blue Note Records
01-08-1964
Out To Lunch (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition)
01
Hat And Beard
Eric Dolphy
Out To Lunch (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition)
08:24
Composers: Eric Dolphy
02
Something Sweet, Something Tender (Remastered 1998/Rudy Van Gelder Edition)
Eric Dolphy
Out To Lunch (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition)
06:02
Composers: Eric Dolphy
03
Gazzelloni (Remastered 1998/Rudy Van Gelder Edition)
Eric Dolphy
Out To Lunch (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition)
07:22
Composers: Eric Dolphy
04
Out To Lunch (Remastered 1998/Rudy Van Gelder Edition)
Eric Dolphy
Out To Lunch (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition)
12:06
Writer: Eric Dolphy / Composers: Eric Dolphy
05
Straight Up And Down (Remastered 1998/Rudy Van Gelder Edition)
Eric Dolphy
Out To Lunch (The Rudy Van Gelder Edition)
08:19
Composers: Eric Dolphy
At the Five Spot, Vol. 2 [Rudy Van Gelder Remaster]
â„— 2009 Concord Music Group Inc.
01-01-1964
At the Five Spot, Vol. 2 [Rudy Van Gelder Remaster]
01
Aggression
Eric Dolphy
At the Five Spot, Vol. 2 [Rudy Van Gelder Remaster]
17:23
Composers: Booker Little
02
Like Someone In Love
Eric Dolphy
At the Five Spot, Vol. 2 [Rudy Van Gelder Remaster]
19:59
Composers: Van Heusen-Burke
03
Number Eight (Potsa Lotsa)
Eric Dolphy
At the Five Spot, Vol. 2 [Rudy Van Gelder Remaster]
15:33
Composers: Eric Dolphy
04
Booker’s Waltz
Eric Dolphy
At the Five Spot, Vol. 2 [Rudy Van Gelder Remaster]
14:40
Composers: Booker Little
Far Cry
â„— 1989 Fantasy, Inc.
01-01-1962
Far Cry
01
Mrs. Parker Of K.C. (Bird's Mother)
Eric Dolphy
Far Cry
08:03
Writer: Jaki Byard / Composers: Jaki Byard
02
Ode To Charlie Parker
Eric Dolphy
Far Cry
08:45
Writer: Jaki Byard / Composers: Jaki Byard
03
Far Cry
Eric Dolphy
Far Cry
03:56
Composers: Eric Dolphy
04
Miss Ann
Eric Dolphy
Far Cry
04:18
Composers: Eric Dolphy
05
Left Alone
Eric Dolphy
Far Cry
06:42
Writer: Billie Holiday - Mal Waldron / Composers: Billie Holiday - Mal Waldron
06
Tenderly
Eric Dolphy
Far Cry
04:20
Writer: Walter Gross - Jack Lawrence / Composers: Walter Gross - Jack Lawrence
07
It's Magic
Eric Dolphy
Far Cry
05:41
Writer: Sammy Cahn - Jule Styne / Composers: Sammy Cahn - Jule Styne
Access the complete album info (8 songs)