Eric Dolphy
Alto Sax Solo on
Hoe Down

About

Eric Dolphy's alto saxophone solo is the second of three improvisations on this recording, following Hubbard's trumpet. Taking two choruses of the 32-bar AABA form in C at 251 BPM, Dolphy brings his iconoclastic approach to the rhythm changes framework, his angular lines and unorthodox intervallic choices creating a solo that sounds like no other alto saxophonist's. The contrafact form, built on "I Got Rhythm" changes, provides a familiar harmonic foundation that Dolphy uses as a launching pad for his highly personal improvisational explorations.

Eric Dolphy was 32 to 33 years old at the time.