Zoot Sims on Prestige (II)

Originally issued for Prestige on two 10" LPs, the following CD covers two sessions from the early 1950s. Tracks 1 to 5, 10 and the previously unissued alternate cuts of "Trotting", are from an August 1951 date with Harry Biss on piano, Clyde Lombardi on bass and the great Art Blakey on drums. This material is the star of the show, especially when the quartet stretches out on the eight-and-a-half minute take of "Zoot Swings the Blues" and the eleven minute "East of the Sun (West of the Moon)". The sound here is incredible for the late mono era, and the playing is special too, making it feel like a recording from the early 60s, even though it is from a decade earlier. Tracks 6 to 9 from the previous year (September 1950), by contrast don't sound as good, with Zoot's sax frequently distorting and a noticeable tape hiss throughout. Though drummer Don Lamond is no Blakey, the other musicians are of a higher quality — John Lewis on piano and Curly Russell on bass — so it's not a total loss. Though Zoot's recording career lasted until the mid 80s, the number of quality albums he made as a leader aren't that plentiful in my opinion. However this disc and Zoot from the OJC catalog, along with his collaborations with Al Cohn, should be in all serious jazz collections.

Zoot Sims

Zoot Sims Quartets

A full length album that brings together some excellent early 50s sides by Zoot — originally issued on 10" LPs, Swingin' with Zoot Sims and Tenor Sax Favorites, but expanded here with better notes and more space. Half the set features a group with Harry Biss on piano, Clyde Lombardi on bass, and Art Blakey on drums — and the rest features John Lewis, Curley Russell, and Don Lamond. Titles include the two part number "Zoot Swings The Blues", plus "Trotting", "I Wonder Who", "It Had To Be You", "Jane-O", and "East Of The Sun".  *Dusty Groove, Inc.*

These early Fifties sessions are reminders that although Zoot Sims continued to deepen and expand during the next 30 years, he was already a vital force of great melodic sense and relenting swing. The first date, from 1950, with John Lewis on piano, features "Memories of You", the theme song of one of Zoot’s former big band leaders, Sonny Dunham. The second session, from 1951, is particularly notable because it contains "Zoot Swings the Blues" and "East of the Sun", in which Zoot, spurred by the drumming of Art Blakey, stretches out in the first time the LP format was utilized for extended performances in the studio.

This CD reissue features the great tenor-saxophonist Zoot Sims (who was then 25) leading his first American recording dates. He is heard with two quartets, the team of pianist John Lewis, bassist Curly Russell and drummer Don Lamond and with pianist Harry Biss, bassist Clyde Lombardi and drummer Art Blakey. All but two numbers clock in around the three-minute mark: an over eight-minute alternate version of "Zoot Swings the Blues" and an 11-minute "East of the Sun". Sims is in fine form throughout these cool-toned but hard-swinging sets. *Scott Yanow*

1 - Zoot Swings The Blues (take 1)

(Zoot Sims)

2 - Zoot Swings The Blues (take 2)

(Zoot Sims)

3 - Trotting

(Zoot Sims)

4 - I Wonder Who

(Zoot Sims)

5 - It Had To Be You

(Jones, Kahn)

6 - My Silent Love

(Suesse, Heyman)

7 - Jane-O

(Zoot Sims)

8 - Dancing In The Dark

(Dietz, Schwartz)

9 - Memories Of You

(Blake, Razaf)

10 - East Of The Sun (West Of The Moon)

(Brooks Bowman)

11 - Trotting (alternate 1)

(Zoot Sims)

12 - Trotting (alternate 2)

(Zoot Sims)

#1 to #5 and #10 to #12:

Zoot Sims (tenor sax), Harry Biss (piano), Clyde Lombardi (bass), Art Blakey (drums)

Recorded in New York City, August 14, 1951

#6 to #9:

Zoot Sims (tenor sax), John Lewis (piano), Curley Russell (bass), Don Lamond (drums)

Recorded in New York City, September 16, 1950