Slide Show
I can’t believe that in 2005 this is really a question. However, for those who don’t know, Eric Dolphy is one of the most influential, creative and dedicated jazz musicians that ever lived. The music of this man has made a tremendous difference in my life as well as many a jazz lover, jazz musician, jazz icon, a jazz historian or anyone else who knows, plays and listens to the art form.
Phil Ranelin, the great trombone player of
One of the stories that were told was how Eric used to play with the birds. The birds would sing and Eric would play his flute and sing back. Eric’s parents built a room in the back of their house so that Eric could practice and this is where he spent fourteen hour days cultivating and perfecting his music on all of the many instruments that he played. People would say that Eric would practice one note for three days! This was also the place that many of the greats such as Buddy Collette, Max Roach and quite a few others would come over and have all day night and all day long jazz jam sessions.
I got up and shared my love for Eric Dolphy’s music and wished I could have been around to know him and see him play. I used to play his music on my radio show just about every night. He had so much to say that I just wanted to get his vocabulary inside of my body and enlighten my life with some Dolphy wisdom.
Phil played some recordings and showed some video tape of Eric performing with Charles Mingus which was quite a treat. Other got up and shared their thoughts on Eric and how his music affected their lives.
Eric’s life was cut much too short by diabetes but, the love, the music and the legacy of Eric Dolphy will live on this earth and in our hearts forever!
LeRoy Downs
