1962 · Album
Afro/American Sketches
Recorded 1961 · New Jazz Records · Produced by Esmond Edwards
Nelson's Brass and Blues Conversation
A saxophonist and composer thinking out loud, trading solos with his own arrangements.
Oliver Nelson made Afro/American Sketches (1959) at a point in his career when he was still finding his voice as a composer and bandleader. The album sits somewhere between hard bop and the kind of structured big-band writing that interested him more as time went on, but it hasn't picked a lane yet—and that restlessness is part of what makes it listen.
The sound is immediate and brass-forward. Nelson's tenor saxophone cuts through a tight section—his tone lean and direct, not the pillowy warmth you get from some players. The arrangements are his, and they're functional rather than flashy; the horns are talking to each other, sometimes in unison, sometimes trading lines. There's a blues underneath most of this, and Nelson seems most comfortable there—when the band locks into a groove and he can stretch out over it. The rhythm section breathes with him instead of pushing; the pacing feels patient in a way that lets you hear what's actually happening.
This isn't essential Nelson. His work later became sharper and more conceptually ambitious. But Afro/American Sketches catches him as a working musician thinking through his ideas in real time, and there's something honest about that. If you're already deep in Nelson's catalog, this is worth the time. If you're new to him, start with something more fully realized first—but circle back. It's the sound of someone still building his language.
Who's playing
Art Davisbass
Patti Bownpiano
Bob Ashtonclarinet, flute, tenor saxophone
Jerry Dodgionalto saxophone, flute
Oliver Nelsonsaxophone
Eric Dixonflute, tenor saxophone
Babe Clarkbaritone saxophone, clarinet
Jerry Kailtrumpet
Joe Newmantrumpet
Ernie Royaltrumpet
Joe Wildertrumpet
Clyde Reasingertrumpet
Ernie Royal and His Princestrumpet
Paul Faulisetrombone
Urbie Greentrombone
Britt Woodmantrombone
Billy Byerstrombone
Melba Listontrombone
Ray Barrettobongos, congas
Ray AlongeFrench horn
Jim BuffingtonFrench horn
Don Butterfieldtuba
Pete Makiscello
Charles McCrackencello
Ed Shaughnessymembranophone
Julius WatkinsFrench horn
Robert Ashtonwoodwind
