Zoot Sims and the Gershwin Brothers

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
An energetic, exuberant player, tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims is perhaps best known for his membership in the famous "four brothers" sax section of Woody Herman's late-forties Herd, and for his longstanding small-group collaborations with fellow tenorman Al Cohn. Yet neither of those pigeonholes do his abilities justice: Sims was a remarkably complete musician, comfortable playing everything from hard bop to swing to Dixieland. And though most clearly drawing his musical delineation from Lester Young, Sims was also capable of a raw, free-swinging style that hinted at the influence of the Texas tenor school and such boppers as Dexter Gordon and Wardell Gray. His dynamism is evident on Zoot Sims and the Gershwin Brothers: the 10-song compilation, recorded in 1975, uses such jazz improvisation stalwarts as "The Man I Love," "I Got Rhythm," "Summertime," and "Embraceable You" to showcase his absolute command of the modern jazz vocabulary. If the record label, Norman Granz's Pablo, was overly reliant on a core group of technically breathtaking but somewhat predictable players, the presence of label stars pianist Oscar Peterson and guitarist Joe Pass as sidemen here proved a blessing. --Fred Goodman --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Zoot Sims and the Gershwin Brothers, Music, Zoot Sims, Bop, Cool, Jazz, Mainstream Jazz, Pop, Standards, West Coast Jazz

Average customer rating:

Zoot Sims - The Swinger

One of Zoot's best

Energetic and Inspired

Passionate Expression and Headlong Swing!

One of Zoot's best.

Zoot Sims and the Gershwin Brothers
Zoot Sims
Manufacturer: Ojc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Blues for Two

If I'm Lucky

For Lady Day

Basie & Zoot

Lester Young with Oscar Peterson Trio

ASIN: B000000YOO
Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

The Man I Love
How Long Has This Been Going On
Lady Be Good
I've Got A Crush On You
I Got Rhythm
Embraceable You
'S Wonderful
Someone To Watch Over Me
Isn't It A Pity
Summertime
They Can't Take That Away From Me

Amazon.com

An energetic, exuberant player, tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims is perhaps best known for his membership in the famous "four brothers" sax section of Woody Herman's late-forties Herd, and for his longstanding small-group collaborations with fellow tenorman Al Cohn. Yet neither of those pigeonholes do his abilities justice: Sims was a remarkably complete musician, comfortable playing everything from hard bop to swing to Dixieland. And though most clearly drawing his musical delineation from Lester Young, Sims was also capable of a raw, free-swinging style that hinted at the influence of the Texas tenor school and such boppers as Dexter Gordon and Wardell Gray. His dynamism is evident on Zoot Sims and the Gershwin Brothers: the 10-song compilation, recorded in 1975, uses such jazz improvisation stalwarts as "The Man I Love," "I Got Rhythm," "Summertime," and "Embraceable You" to showcase his absolute command of the modern jazz vocabulary. If the record label, Norman Granz's Pablo, was overly reliant on a core group of technically breathtaking but somewhat predictable players, the presence of label stars pianist Oscar Peterson and guitarist Joe Pass as sidemen here proved a blessing. --Fred Goodman

Customer Reviews:

Zoot Sims - The Swinger.......2007-05-27

Recorded when Zoot Sims was 49 and obviously at the top of his form and feeling fine. Tasty piano licks and solid accompaniment are provided by Oscar Peterson. Joe Pass provides some nice guitar work, while solid rhythm is laid down by Grady Tate and George Mraz - who worked with Sims some in the 1950's, I believe. He contibutes a rare bowed solo on one of the cuts here.
Sims' inate sense of rhythm is why they called him a swinger. No matter the complexity or length of solo, Zoot would very rarely lose the beat or his "place". He had wonderful ideas of melodic composition in his improvisational work. And while he certainly can be said to have been strongly influenced by Lester Young, who was playing with Count Basie when Sims was growing up, Zoot was not a copy of anyone in his style. Most knowledgeable jazz buffs would count Zoot among the most accomplished tenor saxophonists of all time.
If you like small group jazz, this is some of the best to be had and will be enjoyed by most jazz fans.

One of Zoot's best.......2005-12-17

Recorded in 1975 and one of Zoot's finest CDs. His rich, warm tone is at the fore on every tune, whether it's an up-tempo swinger like THE MAN I LOVE or I GOT RHYTHM or a slow ballad like HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON. All of these are familiar songs to Zoot, he's probably played most a thousand times, but he is still able to make them sound fresh. Pianist Oscar Peterson can be overpowering at times, but on this album he restrains himself and plays tasty accompaniment (his solos are excellent, too). Joe Pass is on guitar and solos nicely on what I consider the highlight track, 'S WONDERFUL. George Mraz (b) and Grady Tate (d) offer solid support throughout. This is straight ahead, solid mainstream jazz at its finest. Definitely worth checking out.

Energetic and Inspired.......2005-10-11

This is a very inspired and energetic interpretation by Zoot Sims of Gershwin classics. Zoot swings here with great excitement and attacks the famous tunes in a very inspired fashion. He is very well supported by Peterson, Pass, Mraz and Tate. This is without a doubt a classic recording date that takes you for a wonderful journey from track one to eleven. It is that good that after 50 minutes you wish there was more to come.

Passionate Expression and Headlong Swing!.......2002-04-09

Well, what more can be said...Sims, Peterson, Pass, Mraz and Tate playing Gershwin...the hardest part is deciding which track I like best. Truth be told, they can't take this CD away from me and it would be a pity if you didn't add it to your collection. 'S Wonderful indeed!

One of Zoot's best........2000-01-17

Zoot Sims never made a bad album, but he did make a great number that were merely very good. This one, however, is excellent. Sims, Peterson, and Pass all solo beautifully, and the bass and drum team of Mraz and Tate are behind them every step of the way. The two standout tracks are 'I Got Rhythm', where Sims follows an explosive Peterson solo with full-throated honks and excursions into his beautiful upper register; and 'Embraceable You', when Zoot proves that only Webster, Getz, and Hawkins can challenge him for beauty of tone. That said, there isn't a bad track on this CD, and it will give any Zoot fan -- any jazz fan -- a great deal of pleasure.

Average customer rating:

Zoot Sims and the Gershwin Brothers
Zoot Sims
Manufacturer: Pablo
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000AZKLC
Release Date: 2003-09-30

Tracks:

Man I Love
How Long Has This Been Going On?
Oh, Lady Be Good
I've Got a Crush on You
I Got Rhythm
Embraceable You
'S Wonderful
Someone to Watch over Me
Isn't It a Pity?
Summertime
They Can't Take That Away from Me [*]

Average customer rating:

Zoot Sims and the Gershwin Brothers
Zoot Sims
Manufacturer: Jvc Victor
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Cool Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000GIWNCO
Release Date: 2006-09-04

Album Description

Limited Edition Japanese pressing of this album comes housed in a miniature LP sleeve. 2006.

Album Details

Japanese Limited Edition Issue of the Album Classic in a Deluxe, Miniaturized LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Artwork.

Music:

Music

Music