The multi-dimensional Dwayne Dolphin is one of our musical gems.
He is an educator, performer and record producer.
“I’m making recordings for everyone’s enjoyment. In addition, I still teach privately and at Duquesne University when I can,” said Dwayne.
“Pretty Girl,” his fourth CD as a leader, is one of his most reflective productions to date. The new CD is dedicated to his mother who passed away in 2007. His mom was a long time lover of gospel music. 
DWAYNE DOLPHIN
“I knew about Mahalia Jackson way before I knew about Michael Jackson,” said Dolphin in a recent radio interview. “My dad loved jazz, the organ trios. People like Earl Grant, Jimmy Smith and Jimmy McGriff. Dad would buy all the records. My older brother, when we were younger, was into bands like Black Sabbath, the Isley Brothers, Earth, Wind and Fire. His music palate is wide. My other brother was into Top 40 Black radio, period.”
The new recording has many outstanding songs, such as the title tune “Pretty Girl” as well as “Trees,” “Neo,” “Frazier,” “Let ’Em Know,” “Golden” and “The Saints” in addition to “Cinnamon & Clove.” There are 12 selections total and his core group of Lou Stellute on saxophone, Angelo Versace on piano, Brian Sanders on bass, and Jevon Rushton on drums join Dolphin. Many others step in for guest appearances such as Fred Dolphin, Howie Alexander, Chris Hemingway, Thomas Wendt, Tim Adams, James Zigler, Erica Sanders, Dominique Johnson, Carolyn Perteete and Sean Jones.
By the time Dolphin was 15 he was already on the local Pittsburgh jazz scene working with legendary drummer Roger Humphries and many of Pittsburgh’s local heroes. He got his first big break right out of high school when he was recruited by trumpeter Wynton Marsalis to join his band that also included his brother, Branford.
Dolphin later joined the band of saxophone master Hank Crawford and as his name spread, he went on to work with some of the greatest names in jazz including Hank Jones, Abbey Lincoln, Kenny Burrell, Clark Terry and Pharaoh Sander. He also worked with pianist Geri Allen as well as other contemporary improvisers like Graham Haynes, Don Byron, Oliver Lake and Arthur Blythe.
Living in Pittsburgh hasn’t hurt Dwayne in terms of getting gigs. He has toured with the funky bands of Maceo Parker, Pee Wee Ellis and of course, Fred Wesley.
“I have a dual career that I’m finally letting folks know about,” he said.
“I grew up in the ’70s and I knew James Brown way before I knew Ray Brown. It was only natural. I’ve been playing with Fred Wesley for nearly 20 years. Jazz is the teacher, funk is the preacher.”
(Dwayne Dolphin’s music is available at www.dwaynedolphinmusic.com or at www.cdbaby.com.)