Afro/American Sketches

Afro/American Sketches is a jazz album by Oliver Nelson recorded in late 1961 and released in 1962. It is his first big band album as a leader.

In a June 7, 1962, review for Down Beat magazine jazz critic Richard B. Hadlock said this of Nelson: "In his penchant for melodic simplicity and inner complexity he is close to the secret of Duke Ellington's most enduring scores, and in his thick linear voicing there are echoes of Gil Evans at his best."

Track listing

All tracks composed by Nelson.

"Message" – 5:56

"Jungleaire" – 6:33

"Emancipation Blues" – 8:11

"There's a Yearnin'" – 4:24

"Going Up North" – 6:11

"Disillusioned" – 5:36

"Freedom Dance" – 4:39

Recorded on September 29 (#1, 3, 4, 6, 7) and November 10 (#2, 5), 1961.

Personnel

Tracks 2, 5

Oliver Nelson – arranger, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone

Joe Newman, Clyde Reasinger, Ernie Royal – trumpet

Billy Byers, Paul Faulise, Melba Liston – trombone

Don Butterfield – tuba

Eric Dixon – tenor saxophone, flute

Jerry Dodgion – flute

Art Davis – bass

Ed Shaughnessy – drums

Ray Barretto – congas, bongos

Tracks 1, 3, 4, 6, 7

Oliver Nelson – arranger, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone

Jerry Kail, Joe Newman, Ernie Royal, Joe Wilder – trumpet

Paul Faulise, Urbie Green, Britt Woodman – trombone

Ray Alonge, Jim Buffington, Julius Watkins – French horn

Don Butterfield – tuba

Jerry Dodgion – alto sax, flute

Eric Dixon – tenor saxophone, flute

Bob Ashton – tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet

Patti Bown – piano

Peter Makas, Charles McCracken – violoncello

Art Davis – bass

Ed Shaughnessy – drums

Ray Barretto – congas, bongos

References

1962 albums

Oliver Nelson albums

Prestige Records albums