Eric Dolphy: Freedom of Sound

A little more than 50 years ago, in February of 1964, multi-instrumentalist Eric Dolphy recorded Out to Lunch, one of the most piquant and exhilarating albums in jazz history; sadly, he would die of diabetic shock only four months later. Here, a stellar cast of veterans unites in tribute to this rare genius, whose daredevil improvisatory flights on alto sax, bass clarinet and flute still epitomize the modernist strain in jazz. Performing both tonight and Saturday, May 31, is Richard Davis, the brilliant bassist on Out to Lunch and a 2014 NEA Jazz Master. You'll also hear from Oliver Lake, Henry Threadgill, Andrew Cyrille, Pheeroan akLaff, Vernon Reid, Don Byron, the Tarbaby collective and more. Go to seedartists.org for the complete schedule.