St. Louis-born jazz man Oliver Nelson gained widespread attention for his 1961
album 'The Blues and the Abstract Truth' with its signature track 'Stolen
Moments'. A gifted player of many instruments including saxophone, clarinet and
piano, he made his name as a composer and arranger on big band albums recorded
by top artists.
Having learned to play the piano and saxophone from his Cootie Williams sideman
brother, he played in local bands in the early 1950s and woodwinds in a Marine
band during the Korean War. A chance hearing of music by Maurice Ravel and Paul
Hindemith led ...