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So Long Eric

Charles Mingus

 
 

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The 1964 Mingus Sextet with Eric Dolphy creates a lengthy
and unpredictable version of "So Long Eric"

In 1964, Charles Mingus led a short-lived sextet that toured Europe and left behind some live radio performances and a few precious film clips.

Eric Dolphy, a unique soloist on alto sax, flute and bass clarinet, chose to stay in Europe after the tour (leading to this song being called “So Long Eric”), passing away prematurely just a few months later.

Onstage before an audience in Norway on Apr. 12, 1964, Charles Mingus has trouble keeping his bass in place, making the audience laugh by poking a hole in the stage with his instrument.

The 23 ½ minute version of “So Long Eric” that follows features stirring solos by trumpeter Johnny Coles, pianist Jaki Byard, tenor-saxophonist Clifford Jordan, bassist Charles Mingus and drummer Dannie Richmond plus a rather incredible one from Dolphy on alto.

While the piece is a blues, the spontaneous tempo changes engineered by Mingus, vamps and constant musical surprises make this a unique performance by a still-modernistic group.

Personnel:

Charles Mingus, bass
Johnny Coles, trumpet
Eric Dolphy, alto sax
Clifford Jordan, tenor sax
Jaki Byard, piano
Dannie Richmond, drums

- Scott Yanow



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