Zoot! by Zoot Sims (CD, Jul-1991, Original Jazz Classics)
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Artist: Zoot Sims
Release Date: Jul 1991
Format: CD
Record Label: Original Jazz Classics
Genre: Jazz Instrument, Tenor Sax
UPC: 025218622820
Product ID: EPID3062067
Description: Personnel: Zoot Sims (alto & tenor saxophone); Nick Travis (trumpet); George Handy (piano); Wilbur Ware (bass); Osie Johnson (drums).
Recorded at Reeves Sound Studios, New York, New York on December 13 & 18, 1956. Originally released on ...
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Sophisticated-Swing. Zoot is a "mood" master!Review created: 09/09/08
by:
) 
Though not his best work, this CD is a must have for any jazz enthusiast; Or someone who enjoys improvisation that is well-directed and melodic.
Zoot Sims style and grace with a small ensemble ALWAYS sets you into a another time and place... almost the perfect get-away after a hard day's work.
The Trumpet "Echo" in track 2 "Echo's of You", (Studio Trumpeter Nick Travis) is the only let down of the album. Travis' slightly edgy improvisational style is hardly an appropriate "echo" for the precise and melodic smoothness of Sims.
No offense to a great Trumpeter like Travis, but the trumpet is really unnecessary and almost distracting to Pianist George Handys' fine arrangements.
Other than that, the CD is very enjoyable with a perfect mix of bebop and light swing; I would rate it a 7.9 out of 10.
Zoot Sims style and grace with a small ensemble ALWAYS sets you into a another time and place... almost the perfect get-away after a hard day's work.
The Trumpet "Echo" in track 2 "Echo's of You", (Studio Trumpeter Nick Travis) is the only let down of the album. Travis' slightly edgy improvisational style is hardly an appropriate "echo" for the precise and melodic smoothness of Sims.
No offense to a great Trumpeter like Travis, but the trumpet is really unnecessary and almost distracting to Pianist George Handys' fine arrangements.
Other than that, the CD is very enjoyable with a perfect mix of bebop and light swing; I would rate it a 7.9 out of 10.
Review ID: 10000000008667041
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One of the Greatest Cool Jazz Albums of the 1950'sReview created: 08/21/08
by:
Zoot Sims is known as a consummate swinger - despite the complexity of improvisation he would never lose the rhythm and very, very rarely ever played an inappropriate phrase or even note! George Handy's arrangements are absolutely delightful on this Fantasy/Original Jazz Classics reissue (originally Riverside label ca. 1957). Nick Travis on trumpet provides a nice counterpoint for the arrangements and the rhythm section is top notch.
This is a highly recommended piece of jazz history from one of the top 5 jazz tenor saxophonists of all-time - who even shows off his soaring alto sax skills on 2 cuts here. Zoot was so great at improvising, producers would sometimes invite him to get a group together and come to the studio to just "blow". This type of recording has a certain charm and produced some great solos by Sims, but the structured arrangements here provide a solid 5-star listening experience from start to finish that you'll listen to over and over again! And the structure does not diminish the quality of improvisations.
Also recommended would be "Zoot Sims Plays Alto, Tenor and Baritone" - featuring some early over-dubbing that yielded 3-part sax harmony all manned by Sims. Superb! Or a repackage called "That Old Feeling" which puts this album and another quality mid-1950's album on one CD. And from his later years "Quietly There" from 1984 is choice listening, as are several from the Pablo/OJC catalog. Also you might check out his various collaborations with Gerry Mulligan (Zoot Sims "Choice" from Pacific Jazz - 1961) and also with Al Cohn. The Al Cohn-Zoot Sims Quintet material, such as "You 'n Me" on Mercury/Polygram from 1960 is great. Tough to go wrong with Zoot Sims!
This is a highly recommended piece of jazz history from one of the top 5 jazz tenor saxophonists of all-time - who even shows off his soaring alto sax skills on 2 cuts here. Zoot was so great at improvising, producers would sometimes invite him to get a group together and come to the studio to just "blow". This type of recording has a certain charm and produced some great solos by Sims, but the structured arrangements here provide a solid 5-star listening experience from start to finish that you'll listen to over and over again! And the structure does not diminish the quality of improvisations.
Also recommended would be "Zoot Sims Plays Alto, Tenor and Baritone" - featuring some early over-dubbing that yielded 3-part sax harmony all manned by Sims. Superb! Or a repackage called "That Old Feeling" which puts this album and another quality mid-1950's album on one CD. And from his later years "Quietly There" from 1984 is choice listening, as are several from the Pablo/OJC catalog. Also you might check out his various collaborations with Gerry Mulligan (Zoot Sims "Choice" from Pacific Jazz - 1961) and also with Al Cohn. The Al Cohn-Zoot Sims Quintet material, such as "You 'n Me" on Mercury/Polygram from 1960 is great. Tough to go wrong with Zoot Sims!
Review ID: 10000000008419071
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