The humor of Zoot Sims

This is a verbatim steal from a blog that I haven't been able to identify, but deserves I think, all the readership we can give it. Even if you've never heard of Zoot Sims, this stuff should give you a good chuckle:

'One of the most innovative, lyrical and swinging jazz musicians of any time was none other than John Haley Zoot Sims. I feel blessed and among the few fortunate having had the privilege and joy to have seen him play on countless occasions and in a variety of contexts. From Jazz at the Philharmonic, Stan Kenton and more relaxed and lyrical with his long time compadre, Al Cohn, seeing Zoot perform was never a disappointment. No matter what, I'd always go home after a club set or concert with something wonderful passed to me by this warm and exquisite Jazz Musician.

Zoot, coming off of the Lester Young branch soon came into his own with a wonderful identifiable sound that didn't take a classically trained ear to quickly identify. On a Gershwin lyric he had the poise and respect for that line with his tenor or soprano sax as much as Frank Sinatra would using his voice. If it was time to swing hard, Zoot did it easily without having to push any envelope to prove something. He just did it and it went down.

In every respect when we lost Zoot we truly lost an original jazz icon. Someone that won't be easily replaced by the clean cut crop of technical wizards coming out of jazz universities by the barrel loads today. Zoot was jazz and his attitude, demeanor and style were jazz you could dance to, close your eyes to or just tap your feet to. He was one hell of an original.

While The Jazz Zine cannot replicate any of Zoot's wonderful music short of having our readers download hours of Quicktime or .WAV files, there is something we all can share that was truly Zoot's: His incomparable sense of humor. I went and did some rummaging on the web and have come up with a bunch of quips and remarks of his gathered from published works by Bill Crow, Ira Gitler, Jeff Hamilton and Whitney Balliett. So without any further introductions read on and enjoy an original and irreplaceable sense of humor that helped shape the Zoot Sims many jazz fans have come to love and revere.

---

Zoot Sims did his first tour of duty with Benny Goodman in 1943. It was during that year, at a recording session, that Zoot, age seventeen, brought an apple with him which he placed on his music stand. As Sims began his solo, Goodman picked up the apple and started eating it. Goodman signaled him to take another chorus and then another and another. It turned out to be the longest solo Goodman ever gave Sims; long enough. at least, for Benny to finish the apple.

---

While still in his young teens, he worked in Ken Baker's Los Angeles area band. Baker would put nicknames on the front of his music stands. John Haley Sims ended up behind the "Zoot" stand, and as Zoot put it, "It stuck." The name became a household word to all except one musician, or so it seems. One morning, probably a bit too early, Zoot called trumpet player Nick Travis and identified himself to his sleepy voiced colleague. "Zoot who?" was the befuddled reply. .

---

Zoot was drafted into the air force in World War II. The year was 1944. Having served in places like Huntsville, Alabama; Valdosta, Georgia and Biloxi, Mississippi, Zoot proudly affirmed that he fought in the famous Battle Of The South.

---

Stan Getz, through much of his career, was known to be one of the more unpredictable personalities in the jazz world. Asked to describe his sometime rival, Zoot remarked, "Stan Getz is a nice bunch of guys

---

Al Cohn and Zoot shared a more than casual interest in alcohol consumption on the bandstand. During one of their long stays at New York's Half Note. it became evident that the two tenor men handled their drinking very differently. Zoot would be in a partying mood and Al would continue standing like a statue and playing as wonderfully as ever. At the end of a set one night, Zoot hopped off the bandstand, caromed from one table to the next, carrying on with the customers. He nearly lost his balance a couple of times, but regained it in the nick of time. He tried to negotiate two steps to the next table level but didn't quite make it. He tripped, and as a result, turned what should have been a fall into a nearly graceful vaudeville time step. A customer, noting Zoot's tour of the room said, "Boy, that Zoot can really drink a lot of booze." Al Cohn turned to bassist Bill Crow, and in his typical dry manner, said "Yes, but he doesn't drink WELL.

---

Zoot was rarely at a loss for words. When asked by a fan how he could play so well when he was loaded, he replied, "I practice when I'm loaded.

---

Zoot was standing out in the alley back of a club between sets where he was playing when a bum came up and  said, " I only need seventy five cents more to buy a drink." Zoot reached in his pocket and gave him the money. After the bum walked away up the alley, Zoot ran after him, stopped him and said,"Wait a minute. How do I know you're not going to go around the corner and buy a bowl of soup?"

---

Early one evening Zoot had just finished a recording session and was joined by guitarist Jim Hall and his wife Jane. Zoot complained of his tiring schedule -- recording all day followed by an appearance at The Half Note that night. Jane mentioned that if Zoot wanted, she had a Dexedrine. "I don't think they're good for you, they're pretty strong. I usually open one up and pour some out." "Pour some out?" said Zoot. "Are you crazy? Don't you know there are people SLEEPING in Europe?

---

On a tour of Europe with Chet Baker, Chet wanted Zoot to meet the son of Benito Mussolini, who happened to be Italy’s best jazz artist. Chet prompted Zoot to please say something nice when being introduced to him. While shaking the hand of the infamous leader's son Zoot said, "Sorry to hear about your Dad."

---

Comments

[wholesale nike air max]

Thank you for sharing me your blog.I think blog is a good place to sonmeting happened in our life,and we can free express our idea to everyone.I support you.It is really nice,and hope you everything goes well.Happy to face life.

[designer coogi hoody]

Summer is so hot,I feel so fidgety.I hate summer,hate the hot sun,I prefer sstay at home rather than go out.Do you agree with,anyaway,thank you for sharing your blog.