Eric Dolphy: A Musical Biography And Discography

In his tragically short life (1928-1964), Eric Dolphy was a titanic force in the development of the sixties avant-garde (or "new thing"), evolving from the hard bop of the late fifties. The searing intensity and sonic exploration evident in his work on alto sax, clarinets, and flute derived in part from the concurrent innovations of Coltrane, Mingus, Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor, and Andrew Hill, amongst others. His influences also encompassed earlier jazz styles such as New Orleans and bop, various non-Western musics, and modern classical compositions like those of Varèse.

Dolphy pioneered extended solo jazz compositions, was a prominent figure in the "third stream" movement (led by John Lewis and Gunther Schuller), and remains a major influence on musicians today due to the deeply personal, speech-like inflections of his playing. Jazz scholars Simosko and Tepperman examine every aspect of this stunning musical achievement, from Dolphy's early big band work and association with Chico Hamilton to his own final groups in Europe, always emphasising the rich legacy of his recordings. Now completely updated to include the most recent discoveries concerning his life and recordings, this book will long stand as the definitive treatment of Eric Dolphy's music.