Song:Hat To Beard
Album:Out To Lunch
Sax player Eric Dolphy was best known for his work with Charles Mingus. He was just coming into his own as a leader when he died prematurely. The 1964 album Out To Lunch is a must. He was born June 20, 1928 in Los Angeles. He played the clarinet as a child and got into jazz as a teen. Dolphy played with local bands like Gerald Wilson and Roy Porter. His first high profile gig was with Chico Hamilton in 1958. Dolphy moved to New York and joined Charles Mingus' band. The two knew each other growing up in Los Angeles. While touring with Mingus, Dolphy recorded several albums as a leader for Prestige. He also recorded with John Coltrane and Booker Little. Dolphy left the Mingus band in 1964 and he also left Prestige for Blue Note. The 1964 album Out To Lunch is the one essential Eric Dolphy album. Musicians are Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Bobby Hutcherson on vibes, Richard Davis on bass and Tony Williams on drums. Then Dolphy moved to Europe. He thought his brand of jazz would go over better in Europe and his fiancee was a ballerina in Paris. Sadly, Out To Lunch was Dolphy's final recording. On June 29, 1964, Dolphy collapsed on stage in Berlin. The hospital assumed he overdosed on drugs when in fact, Dolphy was a diabetic. He died after he was given the wrong treatment. Eric Dolphy died at age 36. His music is worth checking out. Here's a video for Hat and Beard by Eric Dolphy.
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