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Artist profile · 04/07/2026

Eric Dolphy

Los AngelesBorn in 1928Free Jazz7 vinyl albums
Eric Dolphy, born in Los Angeles in 1928, is a multi-instrumentalist whose work defined avant-garde jazz and free jazz through the late 1950s and early 1960s in the United States.
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About

Key original US mono pressings reach up to €288; 10 main vinyl releases spanning Free Jazz and Post Bop styles.

Eric Dolphy’s discography includes notable albums such as Out To Lunch! (1964), Berlin Concerts (1977), and Iron Man (1968). With a career marked by collaborations with Charles Mingus, John Coltrane, and Ornette Coleman, Dolphy pushed the boundaries of jazz by incorporating free and avant-garde elements. His instrument range spans alto saxophone, bass clarinet, and flute, offering a distinct voice in post-bop and hard bop scenes.

Vinyl collectors find his original pressings from labels like Blue Note, Prestige, and Enja Records highly sought after, with some US mono pressings commanding premium prices. Dolphy's recorded legacy features both studio albums and live concerts, underlining his versatility and lasting influence in jazz history.

Discography

Eric Dolphy discography

Studio albums, live records, compilations and radio recordings. Each album groups all its editions.

In Europe. The Complete 1961 Copenhagen ConcertsEric DolphyIn Europe. The Complete 1961 Copenhagen Concerts
Left AloneEric DolphyLeft Alone
The Illinois ConcertEric DolphyThe Illinois Concert
The Uppsala ConcertEric DolphyThe Uppsala Concert
Live in GermanyEric DolphyLive in Germany
Eric Dolphy in Europe, Volume 2Eric DolphyEric Dolphy in Europe, Volume 2

Data provided by Discogs

Listen

Signature songs

  1. 01Hat and BeardOut To Lunch! · 1964
  2. 02GazzelloniOut To Lunch! · 1964
  3. 03Something Sweet, Something TenderOut To Lunch! · 1964
  4. 04Out to LunchOut To Lunch! · 1964
  5. 05Straight Up and DownOut To Lunch! · 1964
  6. 06Serene
  7. 07Iron ManIron Man · 1968
  8. 08Out There

Essentials

3 Eric Dolphy albums you need to own

Our picks, approved by the editors.

  1. #1 · 1964
    LP, Album, Mono

    Out To Lunch!

    A landmark avant-garde jazz album released on Blue Note, featuring five tracks that highlight Dolphy's compositional and instrumental innovation.

    5 tracksBlue Note labelMono pressingHighly sought-after original US pressing
    Discover the album
  2. #2 · 1977
    LP, Album

    Berlin Concerts (vinyle 140 g, Audiophile Clear Vinyl)

    Live recording from Berlin showcasing Dolphy’s intense performance with a setlist of seven extended jazz pieces.

    7 tracksEnja RecordsOriginal German pressing1977 release
    Discover the album
  3. #3 · 1968
    LP, Album, Stereo

    Iron Man

    Studio album presenting five free jazz compositions, exemplifying Dolphy’s experimental edge during the late 1960s.

    5 tracksDouglas labelStereo pressingRecorded 1968
    Discover the album

Go further

Artists similar to Eric Dolphy

Artists who share part of Eric Dolphy's musical DNA.

Andrew Hill
Andrew Hill
Ornette Coleman
Ornette Coleman
Albert Ayler
Cecil Taylor
Grachan Moncur III
Sam Rivers
John Coltrane
John Coltrane
Jackie McLean
Jackie McLean

B-side

B-side: the hidden stories of Eric Dolphy

Studio secrets, tour stories and B-sides worth the whole album.

01Live Album

Berlin Concerts captures 1977 Berlin live session

The live album Berlin Concerts was recorded in 1977 in Berlin and issued by Enja Records, featuring seven tracks including 'Hot House' and 'God Bless The Child'. The original German pressing remains widely collected with prices around €11.60 to €51.05.

1977Berlin
02Studio Album

Out To Lunch! original US mono pressing markers

Out To Lunch! was released in 1964 on Blue Note with a US mono pressing catalogued BLP 4163. This pressing is rare with a want/have ratio exceeding 3 and sale prices reaching up to €288, underscoring its collectibility.

1964United States
03Studio Album

Iron Man's 1968 Douglas label stereo pressing

Iron Man was released in 1968 on the Douglas label in stereo format with catalog number SD 785. Collectors value this album highly with median prices around €36.25 and some pressing variants priced up to €77.33.

1968United States
Eric Dolphy’s virtuosity spans alto saxophone, bass clarinet, and flute, shaping key avant-garde jazz developments in the early 1960s.
— Jazz Historians
05Collaboration

Dolphy's tenure with Charles Mingus Workshop

From 1959, Dolphy joined Charles Mingus’s Workshop, a pivotal period allowing him to experiment and develop free jazz ideas alongside Mingus’s double quartet ensemble.

1959United States

Eric Dolphy CDs

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Recommended accessories

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FAQ

FAQ

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

What are Eric Dolphy's most collectible vinyl records?

Out To Lunch! (1964) in its original US mono pressing, Berlin Concerts (1977) from Enja Records, and Iron Man (1968) on Douglas label are among the most collectible vinyl records by Eric Dolphy.

Which labels released Eric Dolphy's vinyl albums?

His albums were released on prestigious jazz labels including Blue Note, Enja Records, Prestige, Douglas, and West Wind, covering mono and stereo formats across his discography.

What musical genres is Eric Dolphy associated with?

Eric Dolphy is mainly associated with avant-garde jazz, free jazz, hard bop, post bop, and modal jazz styles.

Where was Eric Dolphy born and when did he begin his career?

He was born in Los Angeles in 1928 and began his musical career in 1948, initially performing in bebop orchestras.

Are there original pressings of Eric Dolphy vinyl in France?

Original pressings of Eric Dolphy's vinyl are rare in France, with most original pressings located primarily in the US, Germany, and Japan markets.

How can I identify the original US mono pressing of Out To Lunch!?

The original US mono pressing of Out To Lunch! carries the catalog number BLP 4163 on Blue Note and has a high collector demand due to its rarity.

What instruments did Eric Dolphy play?

Eric Dolphy was a multi-instrumentalist known for alto saxophone, bass clarinet, and flute performances.

What are typical price ranges for Eric Dolphy vinyl records?

Prices vary widely; for instance, Out To Lunch! mono pressings can command from €76 to €288, while Berlin Concerts copies range around €11 to €51 depending on edition and condition.

Transparency

Sources & method

This profile is compiled by the vinyles.com editors from public sources and our marketplace.

  • WP
    Wikipedia
    Encyclopaedic data and biography
  • MB
    MusicBrainz
    Artist metadata, dates, type
  • DG
    Discogs
    Discography, pressings and market prices
  • LF
    Last.fm
    Listeners, plays, similar artists
  • VC
    Vinyles.com
    In-house catalog, prices and availability

Our method

  1. Discography data from MusicBrainz (dates, country, active years).
  2. Tracklists, covers and genres from Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists from Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editors.
Last updated: 04/07/2026