Doc's Jazz Music Reviews

Eric Dolphy

Eric was an American jazz alto saxophonist, flautist, and bass clarinetist. He rose to prominence in the 1960’s and was the first important bass clarinet soloist in jazz, and among the earliest significant flute soloists.

He was a major improviser and one of the tags put on his work was “free jazz”. After his death he was inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1964.

Dolphy came to major prominence as a member of the Chico Hamilton quintet After this he played for a couple years with John Coltrane and his quintet during the early 60’s.

Dolphy died on June 29, 1964 in a diabetic coma, and it is commonly thought that a misdiagnosis of a drug induced coma led to his premature death. John Coltrane paid tribute to Dolphy in an interview: "Whatever I'd say would be an understatement. I can only say my life was made much better by knowing him. He was one of the greatest people I've ever known, as a man, a friend, and a musician."


John Coltrane



God Bless the Child featuring Eric Dolphy