Oliver Nelson: Mittelschwere Noten

Background: Thelonious Monk had gone from a quirky pianist/composer to international star, in many ways thanks to a Columbia Records recording contract that began in 1962. Like fellow jazz artists on...

Recorded by the Jazz Interactions Orchestra Jazz Big Band Arrangement This arrangement by Oliver Nelson was recorded by the Jazz Interactions Orchestra in 1967, an ensemble led by pianist Billy Taylor...

There may not be a more beautiful ballad anywhere in jazz ensemble literature. This is an alto saxophone feature throughout and was recorded on the Full Nelson album and also included in the Verve Jaz...

Also known as Patterns For Orchestra (as recorded on the Verve jazz masters 48 CD), this is one of Nelson's very interesting charts. It has a very angular, exciting melody in a brisk swing tempo, and...

Oliver Nelson wrote this one for the Maynard Ferguson Band Library. Recorded on the Come Blow Your Horn LP. Features a great tune and trumpet throughout. Printed as originally scored (4-4-2-3), but in...

Oliver Nelson wrote the most beautiful melodies!! This is an alto saxophone feature and was recorded by Phil Woods and the Jazz Interactions Orchestra in 1967 (hear it on the Verve Jazz Masters 48 CD)...

This arrangement by Oliver Nelson is a gorgeous Alto saxophone feature of Cole Porter's 'I Worship You.' The Alto player can either perform the 'solo' part (completely written out) as originally playe...

As recorded by the Oliver Nelson Orchestra, 'Heidi' is the 3rd movement of the Impressions of Berlin suite. A gorgeous solo feature for alto saxophone throughout, this piece builds from a quiet beginn...

This chart is recorded by Oliver Nelson on the recording titled Black, Brown and Beautiful. (RCA Bluebird CD) Johnny Hodges was the guest soloist on this absolutely gorgeous alto saxophone feature. A...

This is another great Oliver Nelson chart (it swings like crazy!). It starts in 3/4 and then goes to 4/4 and has a wonderful feel and flow as it moves through the different sections. The piece has ver...

This Oliver Nelson melody was originally recorded with a small group. Bob Curnow took this great tune and arranged it for big band in a very hip way! Set in an easy swing feel, this chart has quite a...

As recorded by the Oliver Nelson Orchestra, 'Ku-Damm' is the 1st movement of the Impressions of Berlin suite. Based on the blues, as so much of Oliver's music was, this bright swing (waltz feel) start...

This is another great Oliver Nelson chart (it swings like crazy!). It starts in 3/4 and then goes to 4/4 and has a wonderful feel and flow as it moves through the different sections. The piece has ver...

As recorded on the brilliant recording 'A Dream Deferred' (Flying Dutchman CYL2-1449), by the Oliver Nelson Orchestra. Quite possibly the most heart-rending, beautiful melody Nelson ever wrote. It fea...

This Oliver Nelson melody was originally recorded with a small group. Bob Curnow took this great tune and arranged it for big band in a very hip way! Set in an easy swing feel, this chart has quite a...

As recorded by the Oliver Nelson Orchestra on their album Berlin Dialogue for Orchestra, 'Checkpoint Charlie' is some of Nelson's most creative writing. Full of uptempo energy, Nelson masterfully inte...

This composition by Oliver Nelson was recorded by the Jazz Interactions Orchestra in 1967, an ensemble led by pianist Billy Taylor. This lovely ballad was written as an alto feature for the great Phil...