He was born in Inglewood, California. Sims' family was involved in vaudeville, and, for his part, John learned to play both drums and clarinet at an early age. Zoot's father was a vaudeville hoofer, and Zoot prided himself on remembering many of the steps his father taught him.
Following in the footsteps of Lester Young, Sims developed into an innovative tenor saxophonist. Throughout his career, he played with renowned bands, including Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, and Buddy Rich. He was known among his peers as one of the strongest swingers in the field. Sims frequently led his own combos and sometimes toured with his friend Gerry Mulligan with Gerry's sextet, and later with his Concert Jazz Band. Zoot had a long, successful partnership as co-leader of a quintet with Al Cohn, which recorded under "Al and Zoot". That group was a favorite at the New York club "The Half Note." Late in his career, Sims added the soprano saxophone to his performances. Sims' nickname — Zoot — was acquired early in his career while he was on the Kenny Baker band in California. The name was later appropriated for a sax-playing Muppet.
Zoot Sims died in New York on March 23, 1985.
(2) Throughout his career, Zoot Sims was famous for epitomizing the swinging musician, never playing an inappropriate phrase. He always sounded inspired, and although his style did not change much after the early 1950s, Zoot's enthusiasm and creativity never wavered.
Zoot's family was involved in vaudeville, and he played drums and clarinet as a youth. His older brother, Ray Sims, developed into a fine trombonist who sounded like Bill Harris. At age 13, Sims switched permanently to the tenor, and his initial inspiration was Lester Young, although he soon developed his own cool-toned sound. Sims was a professional by the age of 15, landing his first important job with Bobby Sherwood's Orchestra, and he joined Benny Goodman's big band for the first time in 1943; he would be one of BG's favorite tenormen for the next 30 years. He recorded with Joe Bushkin in 1944, and even at that early stage, his style was largely set.
After a period in the Army, Sims was with Goodman from 1946-1947. He gained his initial fame as one of Woody Herman's "Four Brothers" during his time with the Second Herd (1947-1949). Zoot had brief stints with Buddy Rich's short-lived big band, Artie Shaw, Goodman (1950), Chubby Jackson, and Elliot Lawrence. He toured and recorded with Stan Kenton (1953) and Gerry Mulligan (1954-1956). Sims was also a star soloist with Mulligan's Concert Jazz Band of the early '60s and visited the Soviet Union with Benny Goodman in 1962. A freelancer throughout most of his career, Sims often led his own combos or co-led bands with his friend Al Cohn; the two tenors had very similar sounds and styles. Zoot started doubling on soprano quite effectively in the '70s. Through the years, he appeared in countless situations, and always seemed to come out ahead. Fortunately, Zoot Sims recorded frequently, leading sessions for Prestige, Metronome, Vogue, Dawn, Storyville, Argo, ABC-Paramount, Riverside, United Artists, Pacific Jazz, Bethlehem, Colpix, Impulse, Groove Merchant, Famous Door, Choice, Sonet, and a wonderful series for Pablo. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi
After You
Zoot Sims Lyrics
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How could you tell me that you're goin' away?
Don't say that we must part,
Don't break your baby's heart
You know I've loved you for these many years,
Loved you night and day,
Oh! honey baby, can't you see my tears?
After you've gone and left me cryin'
After you've gone there's no denyin'
You'll feel blue, you'll feel sad
You'll miss the dearest pal you've ever had
There'll come a time, now don't forget it
There'll come a time when you'll regret it
Someday, when you grow lonely
Your heart will break like mine and you'll want me only
After you've gone, after you've gone away
After you've gone and left me cryin'
After you've gone there's no denyin'
You're gonna feel blue, and you're gonna feel sad
You're gonna feel bad
And you'll miss, and you'll miss,
And you'll miss the bestest pal you ever had
There'll come a time, now don't forget it
There'll come a time when you'll regret it
But baby, think what you're doin'
I'm gonna haunt you so, I'm gonna taunt you so
It's gonna drive you to ruin
After you've gone, after you've gone away.
The lyrics of Zoot Sims's song "After You've Gone" are a depiction of heartbreak and the pain of losing someone you love. The song is a plea to a lover not to leave, with the singer asserting that the departure will lead to sadness, loneliness, and regret. The first stanza sets the tone for the song, with the singer imploring his lover not to abandon him, using the line "Don't break your baby's heart." The following stanza reveals that the singer has loved his partner for many years, and his tears demonstrate the depth of his feelings. The chorus comes in after this, with the singer stating that the estrangement will lead to his lover feeling blue and missing the best pal they ever had.
The second verse reiterates the concept of regret, as the singer asserts that the partner will come to lament their decision to leave. However, the singer cautions the partner to "think what you're doin'," as he intends to "haunt" and "taunt" them until it drives them to ruin. The song ends with the chorus once more, emphasizing the idea that the partner will undoubtedly feel remorse after leaving.
Line by Line Meaning
Now won't you listen honey, while I say,
Please pay attention to me, my dear
How could you tell me that you're goin' away?
How can you break the news to me that you're leaving?
Don't say that we must part,
Please don't tell me that we have to separate
Don't break your baby's heart
Please don't hurt me, your beloved
You know I've loved you for these many years,
You must be aware I have been in love with you for a long time now
Loved you night and day,
I have loved you every moment, every day
Oh! honey baby, can't you see my tears?
My dear, can't you see how much I am crying?
Listen while I say
Please hear me out
After you've gone and left me cryin'
Once you leave me alone and helpless, crying
After you've gone there's no denyin'
There is no denying the fact that you have left
You'll feel blue, you'll feel sad
The sadness and melancholy will engulf you
You'll miss the dearest pal you've ever had
You will long for the company of the truest friend you have ever had
There'll come a time, now don't forget it
There will be a moment, please keep this in mind
There'll come a time when you'll regret it
You will feel remorse about leaving me behind
Someday, when you grow lonely
When loneliness takes over one day
Your heart will break like mine and you'll want me only
Your heart will break just like mine and you will only want me by your side
You're gonna feel bad
You are going to feel bad about what you've done
And you'll miss the bestest pal you ever had
And you will feel the absence of the best friend you ever had
But baby, think what you're doin'
Please my dear, think about what you are doing
I'm gonna haunt you so, I'm gonna taunt you so
You will be haunted and taunted by my memory
It's gonna drive you to ruin
It will be destructive for you
After you've gone, after you've gone away.
Once you have left and moved away
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID RAYMOND RICHARD JAMES, JACKIE RAWE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind