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
Honeysuckle Rose
Zoot Sims Lyrics
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When they see you out with me
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
When you're passin' by, flowers droop and sigh
And I know the reason why
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
Don't buy sugar
You just have to touch my cup
You're my sugar
It's sweeter when you stir it up
When I'm taking sips from your tasty lips
Seems the honey fairly drips
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
Don't buy sugar
You just have to touch my cup
You're my sugar
It's sweeter when you stir it up
When I'm taking sips from your tasty lips
Seems the honey fairly drips
Goodness knows
You're my honeysuckle rose
The lyrics to Zoot Sims's song Honeysuckle Rose are a tribute to a lover who is so sweet and desirable that they attract attention and admiration from everyone around them. The singer describes the envy of honey bees as they see him with his lover, and the way flowers droop and sigh as his lover walks by. He compares his lover to sugar, saying that just the touch of their cup is as sweet as sugar and that it's even better when they stir it up. Finally, he describes the way that kissing his lover feels like honey dripping from their lips, making it clear that this person is his "honeysuckle rose", a term often used to describe someone who is sweet and charming.
Overall, the lyrics celebrate the singer's intense attraction and connection to his lover, using imagery of sweetness and beauty to convey the depth of his feelings. The repeated refrain of "Goodness knows / You're my honeysuckle rose" emphasizes the idea that this person is central to his life and makes everything sweeter and more enjoyable.
Line by Line Meaning
Every honey bee fills with jealousy
It's not only humans who relish my company, even honeybees become jealous of you.
When they see you out with me
This is because they can sense how special you are to me.
Goodness knows
It's a fact that can't be denied
You're my honeysuckle rose
You're the sweetest, loveliest and most fragrant flower in the garden.
When you're passin' by, flowers droop and sigh
Every flower in the garden feels a sense of loss as you walk away from them.
And I know the reason why
This is because you belong with me, your presence is irreplaceable.
Don't buy sugar
I don't need any additional sweetness, when you're around.
You just have to touch my cup
Just being close to you makes me feel enthusiastic about life.
You're my sugar
You give me a natural and irresistible high.
It's sweeter when you stir it up
Everything becomes brighter and more flavorful when you’re around.
When I'm taking sips from your tasty lips
Every touch, every taste of you is divine.
Seems the honey fairly drips
I'm always surrounded by a feeling of sweetness and love when I'm with you.
Goodness knows
This it's a fact that can't be denied
You're my honeysuckle rose
You're the sweetest, loveliest and most fragrant flower in the garden.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG Rights Management
Written by: Andy Razaf, Thomas Waller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind