Scope and Content Note
The Eric Dolphy Collection is comprised of approximately 250 lead sheets, scores, sketches, and exercises for works composed by Dolphy and others. The collection includes holograph scores, sketches, and parts for Outward Bound, Out There, and Out to Lunch, the latter widely considered to be Dolphy's magnum opus. Included as well are three sketchbooks in Dolphy's hand filled with lead sheets, sketches, and studies. The collection also contains printed and manuscript works by Gunther Schuller, Charles Mingus, Jaki Byard, and other composers, and a promotional program chronicling a concert, "Concert Four" (1962), with Gunther Schuller and featuring Dolphy.
Dates
- Creation: 1939-1964
- Creation: Majority of material found within ( 1960-1964)
Language of Materials
Collection material in English
Access and Restrictions
The Eric Dolphy Collection is open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the Music Division prior to visiting in order to determine whether the desired materials will be available at that time.
Certain restrictions to use or copying of materials may apply.
Copyright Status
Materials from the Eric Dolphy Collection are governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.) and other applicable international copyright laws.
Biographical Note
Biographical Note
- 1928, June 20
- Born Eric Allan Dolphy, Los Angeles, California
- 1949
- First known recording appearance with the Roy Porter band
- 1950
- Joined U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington
- 1952
- Attended U.S. Naval School of Music, Washington, D.C.
- 1953
- After discharge, returned to Los Angeles to continue musical career
- 1954 - 1958
- Performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Earl Bostic, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Gerald Wilson, Buddy Collette, Ornette Coleman, and others
- 1958 - 1959
- Toured and recorded with drummer Chico Hamilton's quintet
- 1960
- First recording Outward Bound released on Prestige label
- Released Here and There and Out There
- 1960 - 1964
- Performed and recorded with various jazz ensembles led by Ron Carter, Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane, Gil Evans, Andrew Hill, Freddie Hubbard, John Lewis, Abbey Lincoln, Booker Little, Charles Mingus, Oliver Nelson, Sy Oliver, Pony Poindexter, Max Roach, Gunther Schuller, and Mal Waldron
- Toured and recorded as a bandleader
- 1964 Feb.
- Recorded the critically acclaimed Out to Lunch
- 1964, June 29
- Died, Berlin, Germany
Extent
250 items (Approximately)
6 containers
5.0 linear feet
Abstract
Eric Dolphy was an American jazz alto saxophonist, flautist, and bass clarinetist. The collection consists of manuscript scores, sketches, parts, and lead sheets for works composed by Dolphy and others.
Organization of the Eric Dolphy Collection
The Eric Dolphy Collection is organized in two series:
Catalog Record
Provenance
Gift, James Newton, 2014.
Accruals
No further accruals are expected.
Processing History
The Eric Dolphy Collection was processed by Thomas Barrick in 2014. Thomas Barrick coded the finding aid for EAD format in October 2014.
Source
- Dolphy, Eric (Creator, Person)
Subject
- Dolphy, Eric--Manuscripts. (Person)
- Dolphy, Eric. (Person)
- Dolphy, Eric. (Person)
- Dolphy, Eric. Works. Selections. (Person)
- Mingus, Charles, 1922-1979. Works. Selections. (Person)
- Schuller, Gunther. Works. Selections. (Person)
- Title
- Guides to Special Collections in the Music Division of the Library of Congress
- Author
- Processed by the Music Division of the Library of Congress
- Date
- 2014
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Part of the Music Division Repository
Performing Arts Reading Room
101 Independence Ave, SE
James Madison Building, LM 113
Washington, DC 20540-4810
(202) 707-5507