Zoot Sims Albums (48)
'At the Half Note Again'
Release Date 6/20/2006
Tracks 10
Label Lonehill Jazz
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What The Critics Say
Zoot Sims and Al Cohn made many marvelous recordings together over several decades, but this Mexican CD of what is purported to be a 1965 air check from New York City's Half Note is hardly equal to the many commercial releases featuring the two tenor saxophonists. Not only is this release skimpy on packaging with no liner notes or composer credits, the sound is aggravating, as the volume frequently (and unexpectedly) goes up and down in the middle of a song. Both Sims and Cohn are in top form, with a rhythm section given as Roger Kellaway, Bill Crow, and Mel Lewis. The play list is full of obscurities, other than "The Red Door," a catchy piece co-composed by Sims and Gerry Mulligan while Sims was a member of the Gerry Mulligan Sextet in the 1950s. Dave Frishberg's "Saratoga Hunch," written especially for Sims and Cohn during their mid-'60s tenure at the Half Note, is a loping vehicle that proves to be a lot of fun for the two men. "Expense Account," written by veteran drummer Osie Johnson, is another treat, except for the numerous flaws in the source material for this disc. While completists who want everything that Zoot Sims and Al Cohn were ever recorded playing together will consider this an essential CD, be forewarned that the erratic sound quality requires a very patient listener to enjoy this otherwise recommended music. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Live at Falcon Lair has a more interesting back story than many older recordings that have been rescued for posterity, but even the story takes a backseat to the excellent music. Falcon Lair wasn't a club, but the home of Doris Duke (and once the home of Rudolph Valentino), whom pianist Joe Castro married in 1956. Castro developed his musical rep playing around L.A., sometimes in the company of bassist Leroy Vinnegar and drummer Ron Jefferson. He also liked to invite folks over to Falcon Lair to jam, just for the fun of it, and he recorded the sessions for possible release. On this particular recording, captured on April 1, 1956, the trio is joined by Zoot Sims on alto -- not tenor -- sax. The set of eight pieces is decidedly loose, allowing ample space for Sims and Castro to develop their ideas while Vinnegar's walking bass and Jefferson's balanced percussion keep the music moving forward. The set kicks off with a particularly powerful take on "A Night in Tunisia," before offering solid versions of "Pennies from Heaven" and "I'll See You in My Dreams." The quartet also tackles several Castro originals, including the appropriately titled "Swinging With Rudolph." Unlike many vault releases, this one is fresh and vital, and will be of special interest to Sims fans interested in his alto work. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford Jr., All Music Guide
'At E.J.'s - Atlanta, GA'
Release Date 11/4/2003
Tracks 10
Label Storyville
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What The Critics Say
Maturity suited Zoot nicely, and this recording explains how. After decades of consistently creative activity during which he followed his own path and maintained his individuality without ever abandoning the influence of his predecessors, the saxophonist sounded simply wonderful on this summer night in Georgia. Thank goodness someone was recording the proceedings! After opening his set with a gorgeous version of "That Old Devil Called Love," Zoot turns Yancey Korosi loose on the public with a very advanced rendering of Fats Waller's "Jitterbug Waltz." The recognizably familiar melody only appears during the last chorus. First the pianist tears up, playing all sorts of harmonic variations on the changes. Then Zoot enters quoting "When Yuba Plays the Rhumba on the Tuba." They gyrate together and by the time the piece ends the audience has obviously been goosed into a state of heightened receptivity. Anyone who has ever experienced a live club performance of real jazz will recognize this turning point in the program. It is very much what this kind of music is all about. Switching from tenor to soprano saxophone, Zoot sails into "Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise." Korosi is a marvelous improviser who interacts well with bassist Dewey Sampson and percussionist James Martin, while Zoot handles the soprano with striking facility. The rhythm section sets up a stimulating pace for "Over the Rainbow," enabling Zoot to move over the face of the tune at his own relaxed pace, expanding the song until it seems to tower over the rest of the city. Korosi's optimistic piano brings to mind Ron Burton's remarkable presence on Rahsaan Roland Kirk's 1973 album Bright Moments; in fact, the entire ambience of this live recording glows with something comparable to the vibe at Keystone Corner on the West Coast, back in the day. After 11 smoking minutes of "Rainbow," Zoot chooses a series of Ellington excursions: "In a Mellow Tone" rocks nicely, "I Got It Bad" breathes like a lotus, and "Caravan" serves as a wicked outing for soprano. The rest of the album teems with still more surprises, for Zoot brings on a second tenor saxophonist, Rick Bell, for a friendly triple finale. They jam with irresistible imaginative energy during "Groovin' High," "Take the 'A' Train," and "Lester Leaps In." It would be difficult to identify a more exciting example of Zoot Sims in action. Highly recommended for listeners of all persuasions. ~ arwulf arwulf, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This 1978 live date recorded in a unnamed Copenhagen nightclub finds Zoot Sims and the Kenny Drew Trio in great form; the outstanding bassist Niels Pedersen and drummer Ed Thigpen (both of whom worked with Oscar Peterson in separate time frames) round out the supporting cast. The first portion includes two unaccredited pieces, a lively bossa nova called "Flower Walts" and the rhythm & blues-flavored "Fled," featuring some of the tenor saxophonist's harder-edged blowing. Following a lyrical take of the infrequently recorded "I Wonder Where Our Love Has Gone," the quartet devotes themselves to strong interpretations of three classics from the Duke Ellington songbook: a swinging "In a Mellotone," an all too brief "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)," and a romp through "Caravan," with Sims switching to soprano sax and a fine solo by Thigpen. This is an excellent CD, though the label was very sloppy with the text in several places within the booklet. Highly recommended, as are virtually all of Zoot Sims' releases. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Recorded four months before his death and three days after what was thought to have been his final recording, this jam-session CD is notable not only as the last Zoot Sims record but the only one to team him with fellow tenor Scott Hamilton. Since Zoot was one of Hamilton's idols, the Swedish concert was a happy affair. Joined by pianist Claes Crona, bassist Arne Wilhelmsson, and drummer Per Hulten, the two tenors battle it out (with mutual respect) on lengthy versions of such standards as "Gone With the Wind," "Indiana," "Sunday," and "Just You, Just Me." A historic encounter that lives up to expectations and shows that Zoot Sims never did decline. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
'East Coast Sounds'
Release Date 3/9/1999
Tracks 10
Label Original Jazz Classics
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What The Critics Say
Zoot Sims and Al Cohn made many records together in small-group settings, but this isn't one of their better-known dates, though it is a rewarding one. These 1956 sessions recorded for the Jazzland label and reissued under Fantasy's limited-edition OJC imprint feature tenor saxophonist Sims (who doubles on alto sax) and Cohn (playing baritone sax on most of the selections) with clarinetist Tony Scott (who doubles on tenor), trumpeter Joe Wilder, and trombonist Urbie Green rounding out the front line. Either Marty Paich or Dick Hyman (neither of whom play on these pianoless charts) contributed the arrangements, all of which fall into the cool category. Though they include quite a few pieces by well-known composers, most of them are lesser-known works, such as George Gershwin's "Treat Me Rough," Vernon Duke's "I Like the Likes of You," and Richard Rodgers' "Where's That Rainbow?" Bassist Trigger Alpert gets some solo time as well and contributed one original, the loping "Trigger Fantasy." Recommended. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
'I Wish I Were Twins'
Release Date 3/31/1998
Tracks 7
Label Original Jazz Classics
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What The Critics Say
Zoot Sims (doubling on tenor and soprano) teams up once again with pianist Jimmy Rowles; this time bassist Frank Tate and drummer Akira Tana are the supporting cast. Rowles is a master not only at accompanying soloists (he always seems to come up with the perfect chord) but in picking up superior obscurities to perform. In addition to "Georgia on My Mind" and "The Touch of Your Lips," this album contains such tunes as "I Wish I Were Twins," "Changes" and Johnny Mercer's "You Go Your Way"; Sims contributed "The Fish Horn" to feature his soprano. A fine swinging date filled with thoughtful improvisations. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
