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.[6]

Afro/American Sketches
Studio album by Oliver Nelson Orchestra
Released	February 1962[1]
Recorded	September 29 & November 10, 1961
Studio	Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs
Genre	Jazz
Length	41:30
Label	Prestige PRLP 7225
Oliver Nelson Orchestra chronology
Main Stem (1961) Afro/American Sketches (1962) Impressions of Phaedra (1962)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]
Down Beat	[3]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[4]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings	[5]

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 voicings there are echoes of Gil Evans at his best."[7]

Track listing

All tracks composed by Nelson.

1. "Message" – 5:56
2. "Jungleaire" – 6:33
3. "Emancipation Blues" – 8:11
4. "There's a Yearnin'" – 4:24
5. "Going Up North" – 6:11
6. "Disillusioned" – 5:36
7. "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