Zoot Sims

Zoot Sims on vinyl: a swinging tenor sound

In short: Zoot Sims (1925–1985) played tenor saxophone with a light, swinging tone and endless joy in playing. He became known as one of the “Four Brothers” in Woody Herman’s band, later played with Gerry Mulligan and often with his partner Al Cohn. The Vinyl Room currently has 11 records with Zoot Sims.

What makes Zoot Sims special?

Sims always swung – whether in West Coast cool jazz or at sessions in New York. We have “Zoot Sims Plays Four Altos” (1957), on which he plays alto saxophone for a change, “Down Home” (1960), “Swingin’ With Zoot Sims” and “Choice”.

Add guest appearances: with Gerry Mulligan on “California Concerts”, with singer Annie Ross on “A Gasser!”, on “Tenor Conclave” next to John Coltrane, Hank Mobley and Al Cohn and on Clifford Brown’s “Jazz Immortal”. From the seventies comes “Zoot Sims And The Gershwin Brothers” on Pablo.

From our stock

First pressings

All records with Zoot Sims

→ Pacific Jazz · Pablo · Cool jazz · Jazz on vinyl

FAQ

Who were the “Four Brothers”? The saxophone section of Woody Herman’s band in the late forties – Zoot Sims, Stan Getz, Herbie Steward and Serge Chaloff.

What is “Plays Four Altos”? A 1957 album on which Sims recorded several alto saxophone parts himself.

Who did Zoot Sims often play with? Tenor saxophonist Al Cohn – the two led joint bands again and again over decades.

Which records do you have? Recordings from the fifties into the seventies – 11 records in all.