A curator's collection: Eric Dolphy: The Prophet

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Eric Dolphy: The Prophet

Eric Dolphy's (1928-1964) was a multi-instrumental jazz virtuoso (bass clarinet, alto saxophone and flute). His music, with its' plangent sound, leaping intervals and angular logic was ecstatic, cathartic, stately and filled with grace. His genius was in his ability to strike a profound chord within any listener with welcoming ears and an inquiring mind.

During the very few years he was afforded to record and perform, his work was vociferously attacked by critics, one of whom infamously dubbed his playing (and that of John Coltrane), as "anti-jazz".*

Dolphy lived and died in shameful obscurity, unknown to most of the music listening public, but he was highly influential within the jazz community and his work, both with his own bands and those of Charles Mingus, Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Chico Hamilton and others, remains fresh and vital some 50 years later. He deserves a lingering listen.

* In the Nov. 23, 1961, issue Down Beat magazine, (critic and Downbeat editor), John Tynan wrote, "At Hollywood's Renaissance club recently, I listened to a horrifying demonstration of what appears to be a growing anti-jazz trend exemplified by those foremost proponents [Coltrane and Dolphy] of what is termed avant garde music.'

"I heard a good rhythm section ... go to waste behind the nihilistic exercises of the two horns. ... Coltrane and Dolphy seem intent on deliberately destroying [swing]. ... They seem bent on pursuing an anarchistic course in their music that can but be termed anti-jazz."

Coltrane and Dolphy were later afforded an opportunity to respond at length to their critics, which they did with humility and a complete lack of rancor.

God Bless the Child