The tune Stolen Moments by composer, arranger, bandleader and saxophonist Oliver Nelson has become a jazz standard. It first appeared on the Impulse! label record “The Blues and the Abstract Truth” which was recorded at Rudy Van Gelder’s studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on February 23, 1961 along with five other Nelson originals. Oddly, his composition named Blues and the Abstract Truth does not appear on this album.

Sixty-five years after it was recorded “The Blues and the Abstract Truth” is still Nelson’s most acclaimed record. The album features performances by some serious jazz heavyweights including Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, reedman Eric Dolphy, George Barrow playing baritone saxophone, pianist Bill Evans, bassist Paul Chambers and Roy Haynes on drums, not to mention Oliver Nelson himself on alto and tenor sax.

Nelson was 29 years old when this record was made. He was a native of St. Louis, Missouri and had earned a master’s degree in theory and composition in 1958. He had spent time playing with Louis Jordan, Erskine Hawkins, Kenny Dorham, Louis Bellson, Duke Ellington, Quincy Jones and Count Basie prior to recording “The Blues and the Abstract Truth.” He would go on to work as an arranger on large ensemble records by Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, Stanley Turrentine, Buddy Rich and Wes Montgomery. He also wrote music for films and television shows including “Ironside,” “Columbo” and “The Six Million Dollar Man.”

Here is a link to the best-known track from “The Blues and the Abstract Truth:”

"STOLEN MOMENTS"