Eric Dolphy

Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise

Born in Los Angeles, Eric Dolphy died in 1964 on the road in Berlin at the age of 36.

During his short career he defined the bass clarinet as an important jazz solo instrument and was a part of the vibrant and revolutionary music scene in jazz during the late 1950's and early 1960's along with Roland Kirk, Charles Mingus, Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane and other innovators.

Like Bix Biderbeck, Fats Navarro and Charlie Christian who all died young after short, brilliant careers, Dolphy put his mark upon the music and changed the way his instrument is played and the way jazz is played as well.

The fact that he didn't burn himself out with drugs or alcohol, apparently dying from an undiagnosed case of diabetes, makes his early death all the more lamentable.

Random Chance Records is glad to re-issue this CD, which has been out of circulation for some years. It has been re-mastered to enhance and improve the sound from the original recording and the 1992 CD.

Eric Dolphy - bass clarinet, McCoy Tyner - piano, Reggie Workman, bass and Mel Lewis - drums.