Eric Dolphy [auto-music] was a true original with his own distinctive styles on alto, flute, and bass clarinet. His music fell into the "avant-garde" category yet he did not discard chordal improvisation altogether (although the relationship of his notes to the chords was often pretty abstract). While most of the other "free jazz" players sounded very serious in their playing, Dolphy's solos often came across as ecstatic and exuberant. His improvisations utilized very wide intervals, a variety of nonmusical speechlike sounds, and its own logic. Although the alto was his main axe, Dolphy was the first flutist to move beyond bop (influencing James Newton) and he largely introduced the bass clarinet to jazz as a solo instrument. He was also one of the first (after Coleman Hawkins) to record unaccompanied horn solos, preceding Anthony Braxton by five years. -
AllMusic (previously: 1, 2)
posted by Trurl
on Apr 21, 2012 -
18 comments
Here's a chance to acquaint (or reacquaint) yourself with the music of some of the great saxophonists who've made their mark in American improvised music. The following
MySpace Music pages feature audio, video, photos and text aplenty, to get your jazz mojo working. In no particular order:
Lester Young,
Hank Mobley,
Ornette Coleman,
Sonny Rollins,
John Coltrane,
Don Byas,
Pharoah Sanders,
Albert Ayler,
Charlie Parker,
Joe Henderson,
Earl Bostic,
Rahsaan Roland Kirk,
Johnny Hodges,
Wayne Shorter,
Sonny Stitt,
Benny Carter,
Sidney Bechet and
David Murray.
posted by flapjax at midnite
on Dec 12, 2007 -
33 comments
Michael Brecker has passed away Arguably, one of the most influential saxophonists of all time, he has lost his fight against myelodysplastic syndrome. Truly a major loss for the jazz and rock worlds.
posted by milnak
on Jan 13, 2007 -
30 comments
