Stolen Moments is a jazz standard composed by Oliver Nelson. It is a 16-bar tune, though the solos unfold over a traditional minor blues structure. The piece first appeared as The Stolen Moment on Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis’s 1960 album Trane Whistle, largely written and co-arranged by Nelson. The version that brought it widespread attention is Nelson’s 1961 album The Blues and the Abstract Truth, noted for its rich horn voicings, a clever hook that briefly resolves to the major in bar four, and Nelson’s famous augmented-scale solo. Lyrics were added later, with Mark Murphy recording a lyric version in 1978, and Gail Fisher writing additional lyrics that appeared on the Carmen McRae – Betty Carter Duets album as You Belong to Her in 1987. The tune has since been covered by many artists and remains a staple of the jazz repertoire.
