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
Blues
Zoot Sims Lyrics
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Pains in my head, feel like old Ned
What did I do to be so black and blue?
No joys for me, no company
Even the mouse ran from my house
All my life through I've been so black and blue
Cause I can't hide what is on my face
I'm so forlorn. Life's just a thorn
My heart is torn. Why was I born?
What did I do to be so black and blue?
I'm hurt inside, but that don't help my case
Cause I can't hide what is on my face
How will it end? Ain't got a friend
My only sin is in my skin
What did I do to be so black and blue?
Tell me, what did I do?
What did I do? What did I do?
What did I do? What did I do?
What did I do? What did I do?
What did I do? Tell me, what did I do to be so black and blue?
What did I do to be so black and blue?
The song 'Black and Blue' is a poignant reflection on the darkest aspects of life as an African American. The lyrics paint a picture of a person who is deeply and painfully aware of their race and how it has affected their life. The first stanza of the song opens with an image of a cold and empty bed, followed by the singer describing their physical pain and likening it to a character named 'Old Ned'. These details serve to paint a picture of a person who is deeply unwell and struggling to find peace. The refrain of the song, "What did I do to be so black and blue?", is repeated several times throughout the song and serves to emphasize the singer's confusion and deep sense of sadness.
The second stanza expands on the singer's feelings of isolation and despair, describing their lack of joy and company. The reference to the mouse running from their house is a powerful image of a person so alone that even animals avoid them. The line, "I'm white inside, but that don't help my case" highlights the singer's internal struggle- while they may feel as individuals, their exterior is a constant reminder of their race and the harm it has caused them. The final stanza of the song reveals the singer's sense of hopelessness and despair. They feel that they have no friends and no hope of finding any. Their only sin is being born with the wrong skin color.
Line by Line Meaning
Cold empty bed, springs hard as lead
I'm alone in a bed that's hard and uncomfortable.
Pains in my head, feel like old Ned
I'm experiencing head pain that's heavy and debilitating.
What did I do to be so black and blue?
Why am I being discriminated against and treated so poorly because of the color of my skin?
No joys for me, no company
I have nothing positive in my life and nobody to share it with.
Even the mouse ran from my house
I'm so down on my luck that even the smallest creature wants nothing to do with me.
All my life through I've been so black and blue
I've faced this discrimination and mistreatment for my entire life.
I'm white inside, but that don't help my case
Although my character and actions are admirable, they're not taken into account in my unjust treatment because of my skin color.
Cause I can't hide what is on my face
My physical appearance exposes me to the constant discrimination I face.
I'm so forlorn. Life's just a thorn
I'm filled with sadness and despair, and every aspect of my life is a source of pain.
My heart is torn. Why was I born?
The constant suffering and challenges I face have made me question my existence and purpose in life.
I'm hurt inside, but that don't help my case
Although I'm in emotional pain, it doesn't change the fact that I'm being treated unjustly because of my skin color.
How will it end? Ain't got a friend
I have no idea how this discrimination and isolation will ever come to an end, and I don't have anyone to lean on for support.
My only sin is in my skin
The only 'crime' I've committed is existing in a body with a darker skin tone, which is unacceptable to those who discriminate against me.
What did I do to be so black and blue?
Even after all these years, I still don't understand why I'm being treated so unfairly and harshly because of something I have no control over.
Tell me, what did I do?
I'm pleading for someone to explain the reason behind my constant mistreatment and suffering.
What did I do? What did I do?
I keep asking this question, hoping for an answer that will finally make sense of my circumstances.
What did I do? What did I do?
I'm repeating the question, unable to comprehend why I'm facing such injustice.
What did I do? Tell me, what did I do to be so black and blue?
After everything I've been through, I'm still asking for an explanation for my mistreatment and suffering because of my skin color.
What did I do to be so black and blue?
This is the central question of the song, expressing the frustration and dismay felt by the singer at the harsh reality of racial discrimination and its impact on his life.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, O/B/O DistroKid, Royalty Network, Capitol CMG Publishing, Sentric Music, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Brooks, Andy Razaf, Fats Waller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jim wilson
Jack Brengle, Louis Knipp and Johnny Roy are the louisville players on this recording...great musicians and teachers as well