Eric Dolphy was born on June 20, 1928, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in a musical family and began playing the clarinet at a young age. Dolphy showed prodigious talent and quickly mastered several woodwind instruments, including the saxophone, flute, and bass clarinet.

In the 1950s, Dolphy emerged as a prominent figure in the West Coast jazz scene, where he played with musicians like Gerald Wilson and Roy Porter. He also began to develop his unique style, incorporating elements of bebop and classical music into his playing.

Dolphy's career took off in the early 1960s when he moved to New York City and began collaborating with artists like Charles Mingus and John Coltrane. His work with Mingus, including albums like "Mingus Ah Um" and "Blues & Roots," showcased his virtuosic playing and adventurous improvisational style.

As a solo artist, Dolphy released several groundbreaking albums, including "Outward Bound" and "Out to Lunch," which are now regarded as classics of avant-garde jazz. His innovative approach to harmony, rhythm, and form pushed the boundaries of the genre and inspired a new generation of musicians.

Tragically, Dolphy's life and career were cut short when he died on June 29, 1964, in Berlin, Germany, at the age of 36. His death was attributed to undiagnosed diabetes, but his legacy as a pioneering jazz musician continues to be celebrated to this day.