One For Phil

Although not as well known as its older cousin, Oliver Nelson's 1965 album "More Blues and the Abstract Truth" is still one of the finest small group jazz dates of its time. Nelson did not play on these recordings himself, opting instead for an all-star lineup consisting of Thad Jones or Danny Moore on trumpet, Phil Woods on alto sax, Ben Webster and Phil Bodner on tenor sax, Pepper Adams on baritone sax, Roger Kellaway on piano, Richard Davis on bass and Grady Tate on drums. Although each of Nelson's arrangements display several of his trademark harmonic tricks (fourth-based patterns, half-step rubs, etc), there is an impressive amount of musical diversity among the selections from these recordings. "One for Phil" was written for, but did not originally appear, on the 1965 original release. "Phil," a simple but lovely ballad appropriately featuring Phil Woods' iconic alto sax, was eventually released on the CD reissue of "More Blues." This publication was based on Oliver Nelson's original pencil score and the set of parts used during the recording session - this is not a transcription.