- Active: '80s
- Genres: Jazz
- Instrument: Sax (Tenor)
Biography
Saxophonist, known as the "Sultan of Swing," Zoot Sims was an international star on the jazz circuit. Throughout his musical career Zoot Sims played with such band legends as Benny Goodman, Stan Getz, Woody Herman and Gerry Mulligan. He was a musician adored by his fans and respected and admired by his colleagues. Zoot Sims well-known recordings include "Them There Eyes," "Call It Anything" and "Great Drums."John Haley Sims was born in Inglewood, California. Zoot Sims taught himself to play the saxophone, influenced by Coleman Hawkins, Roy Eldridge, Ben Webster and Lester Young. As a teenager, he worked in a Los Angeles band with Ken Baker. He received the nickname "Zoot" from Ken Baker who used to put nicknames on the music stands. John Haley Sims stood behind "Zoot" and the name has stuck ever since. Just like many jazz musicians in the 30s and 40s, Zoot Sims' professional career began with the big bands. In 1943, he played with the Benny Goodman Band. At the age of 17 he joined Bobby Sherwoood's band, with extensive experience already in the bands of Benny Goodman and Sonny Dunham. With musicians Stan Getz, Hervie Steward and Serge Chaloff, Zoot Sims was a member of the Four Brothers. It wasn't until 1950 that Zoot Sims began a solo professional career.
With a saxophone named "Sidney," he developed a style all his own. Zoot Sims was known for his boisterous, energetic music. In 1956 he traveled with the Gerry Mulligan sextet, a trip that took the ensemble to Europe. Also in 1956 he released an album on the Dawn record label. It included such songs as "Down at the Loft," "Ghost of a Chance," "Dark Clouds" and "The Purple Cow." These songs represented a musician in transition. He was gradually getting away from the sound of his favorite musicians and developing a style of his own. His cause was helped on this album by fellow musicians Bob Brookmeyer on the trombone, pianist John Williams and Jerry Lloyd on the trumpet.
During the 60s, Zoot Sims was recording and performing concerts worldwide. In 1962 he traveld again with the Benny Goodman Band to Russia. After a tiring tour in Russia, Zoot Sims career slowed down a bit. From 1963 to 1969 he performed in New York's nightclub The Half Note with pianist Dave Frishberg.
Throughout his career, he worked with Al Cohn and Woody Herman, performing with them and traveling with them off and on. The trio sang such big band hits as "Not So Deep" and "You're My Girl." After four decades of playing with different bands Zoot Sims was known not only for his lively renditions but also for his charismatic personality and sense of humor. He was flattered beyond belief when the Muppets came out with "Zoot," the saxophone-playing Muppet. He bragged he was the only musician who had a Muppet named after him. He was well-known and highly regarded as a jazz musician. Zoot Sims died in 1985 in California. ~ Kim Summers, All Music Guide
