Eric Dolphy
Eric Allan Dolphy (June 20, 1928 Los Angeles - June 29, 1964, Berlin, Germany).
Eric Dolphy was an influential jazz multi-instrumentalist (flute/alto saxophone/bass clarinet) who played with artists such as Chico Hamilton, John Coltrane, and Charles Mingus. He also played on Oliver Nelson's The Blues and the Abstract Truth (1960). Dolphy was classically trained and admired the works of Edgard Varèse (he recorded Density 21.5) and supported the Third Stream movement.
One of his most influential, and highly regarded, albums was Out To Lunch (1964). Shortly after the album was released Dolphy died from undiagnosed diabetes, while touring in Europe with Charles Mingus.
Frank Zappa and Eric Dolphy
"I used to listen to Eric Dolphy albums and I really liked 'em. Most of the people I knew didn't. And then he was dead." - Frank Zappa, Frank Zappa Makes A Jazz Noise, Down Beat, July 1991.
Zappa mentioned Eric Dolphy in the sleeve of Freak Out! (1966), under the heading: "These People Have Contributed Materially In Many Ways To Make Our Music What It Is. Please Do Not Hold It Against Them".
Dolphy was mentioned in the title of The Eric Dolphy Memorial Barbecue on Weasels Ripped My Flesh (1969), where Zappa namedrops "you're probably out to lunch" in the lyrics of Oh No. Cal Schenkel's cover design for Burnt Weeny Sandwich was originally intended for an album by Dolphy that was never released.
