Eric Allan Dolphy (June 20, 1928 – June 29, 1964) was a
jazz musician who played
alto saxophone,
flute and
bass clarinet and was educated at Los Angeles City College. Dolphy was the first important bass clarinet soloist in jazz, and one of the first viable flute soloists in jazz. On early recordings, he occasionally played traditional B-flat clarinet. His unique and individual style utilized wide intervals, speech-like effects and exotic scales.