Oliver Nelson was one of the more distinctive arrangers to be active in jazz, the studios, and popular music of the '60s. While most
Nelson reissues focus on his always-excellent saxophone playing (whether on tenor or alto), this six-CD set,
Argo, Verve and Impulse Big Band Studio Sessions, focuses on
Oliver Nelson the arranger-composer-bandleader. He does take solos on some of these dates on tenor, alto,and soprano (his only recorded solos on that instrument), but it his writing that takes center stage. Included are his albums Full Nelson,
Fantabulous, Jazzhattan Suite (which finds the ensemble called the Jazz Interactions Orchestra),
Sound Pieces, and his unusual and reverent tribute set
Musical Tribute to JFK: The Kennedy Dream. In addition,
Nelson's writing for
Leonard Feather's Encyclopedia of Jazz All Stars is here, plus his contributions (usually just part of each record) for sets by organist
Shirley Scott (
Roll 'Em), a group co-led by
Ray Brown and
Milt Jackson, and clarinetist
Pee Wee Russell (The Spirit of '67). Topping off this well-conceived box are all of the music for organist
Jimmy Smith's
Hobo Flats,
Peter and the Wolf (a classic jazz version), and
Smith's first collaboration with guitarist
Wes Montgomery, plus a few numbers from
Smith's
Bashin',
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and Hootchie Coochie Man. In addition to the playing of
Jimmy Smith (who was really at his peak during this period),
Wes Montgomery,
Shirley Scott, and
Pee Wee Russell, the most memorable soloists are altoist
Phil Woods, cornetist
Nat Adderley (on the
Feather date), and flugelhornist
Clark Terry plus
Nelson himself. There is plenty of classic material here (such as the
Smith/
Montgomery blues jamming on "Down by the Riverside") which, even when the big-band writing is secondary, serves as a superior tribute to the underrated
Oliver Nelson. ~
Scott Yanow