ENDEIT

Saxophonists · 1932–1975

Oliver Nelson

American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, arranger, composer, and bandleader (1932-1975)

Born
4 June 1932
St. Louis
Died
27 October 1975
Los Angeles
Country
United States
Record labels
Verve Records, Prestige, Impulse!, Flying Dutchman Records, Argo Records
Discography
31 albums

Biography

Oliver Nelson was a jazz musician who played saxophone, clarinet, tenor saxophone and alto saxophone. Oliver Nelson was born on 4 June 1932 in St. Louis and died on 27 October 1975 in Los Angeles. The music is usually filed under jazz, jazz fusion and post-bop. Record labels: Verve Records, Prestige, Impulse! and Flying Dutchman Records. The discography here lists 31 albums, from “Meet Oliver Nelson” (1959) to “Death of a Gunfighter / Skullduggery (Original Soundtrack)” (2024).

Oliver Edward Nelson (June 4, 1932 – October 28, 1975) was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, arranger, composer, and bandleader. His 1961 Impulse! album The Blues and the Abstract Truth (1961) is regarded as one of the most significant recordings of its era. The centerpiece of the album is the definitive version of Nelson's composition, "Stolen Moments". Other important recordings from the 1960s are the albums More Blues and the Abstract Truth (1964) and Sound Pieces (1966), both also on Impulse!.

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Discography

Studio and live albums

Meet Oliver Nelson 1959
Taking Care of Business 1960
Screamin' the Blues 1961
Straight Ahead 1961
The Blues and the Abstract Truth 1961
Afro/American Sketches 1962
Impressions of Phaedra 1962
Soul Battle 1962
More Blues and the Abstract Truth 1965
Leonard Feather Presents the Sound of Feeling and the Sound of Oliver Nelson 1966
Oliver Nelson Plays Michelle 1966
Soulful Brass 1968
Black Brown and Beautiful 1970
The Mayor and the People 1970
Zigzag 1970
Berlin Dialogue for Orchestra 1971
Swiss Suite 1973 · Live
In Person 1974
Oliver Edward Nelson in London With Oily Rags 1974 · Live
Skull Session 1975
Stolen Moments 1975
Sound Pieces 1991
Main Stem 1992
Nocturne 1992
Live From Los Angeles 2005 · Live
Full Nelson 2006
3-2-1-0 2008
Fantabulous 2008
The Blues and the Abstract Truth 2015
Death of a Gunfighter / Skullduggery (Original Soundtrack) 2024
Afro

Also plays on

Albums where Oliver Nelson is credited as a sideman

1960 I Dig Dancers — Quincy Jones tenor saxophone
1970 Louis Armstrong and His Friends — Louis Armstrong conductor, arranger

Standards written by Oliver Nelson

TitleKeyFormGroove
Stolen Moments C minor AB · 16 Medium swing
Butch And Butch G major AA · 24 Medium-up swing

Frequently asked questions

What instrument did Oliver Nelson play?

Oliver Nelson is known for playing saxophone, clarinet, tenor saxophone and alto saxophone.

When and where was Oliver Nelson born?

Oliver Nelson was born 4 June 1932 in St. Louis.

What are Oliver Nelson's best-known albums?

Albums in our database include Meet Oliver Nelson (1959), Taking Care of Business (1960), Screamin' the Blues (1961), Straight Ahead (1961) and The Blues and the Abstract Truth (1961).

External links

Data compiled from open sources; see the source links below. Spotted an error? Let us know.