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
I'll Remember April
Zoot Sims Lyrics
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We'll sigh goodbye to all we ever had
Alone where we have walked together
I'll remember April and be glad
I'll be content you loved me once in April
Your lips were warm and love and spring were new
I'm not afraid of autumn and her sorrow
The fire will dwindle into glowing ashes
For flames live such a little while
I won't forget but I won't be lonely
I'll remember April and smile
The lyrics to Zoot Sims's song "I'll Remember April" are poetic and full of powerful emotions, aimed at evoking the bittersweet feeling of lost love and memories that linger even after a relationship is over. The first verse sets a contemplative and melancholic tone, as the singer reflects on the passing of time and the inevitable end of their love story. He admits that the day will turn into evening, and they will eventually say goodbye to everything they had together. Despite this, he finds solace in the memories of the times they shared, even if they can no longer be together.
The second verse is more personal and specific, as the singer recalls the particular month of April when they fell in love. He remembers the warmth of her lips and the freshness of spring, and acknowledges that even though autumn may bring sadness, he will always cherish the memories of that time they spent together. The final verse brings a note of optimism to the song, as the singer acknowledges that the flames of their love may have diminished, but the memory of their time together will always live on, leaving him with a bittersweet smile.
Overall, "I'll Remember April" is a song about the power of memory and how it can offer comfort and solace in difficult times. It acknowledges that love cannot last forever, but suggests that the memories of it can endure a lifetime.
Line by Line Meaning
This lovely day will lengthen into evening
The current happy and beautiful moment will eventually come to an end as nightfall approaches.
We'll sigh goodbye to all we ever had
We will be forced to part ways and say farewell to everything we have shared together.
Alone where we have walked together
When I am alone and walking in the same places we once walked together, I will be reminded of you.
I'll remember April and be glad
I will cherish the memory of the moments we shared in April and will feel content in having those memories.
I'll be content you loved me once in April
I will find solace in knowing that you loved me at least once in our time together, particularly in the month of April.
Your lips were warm and love and spring were new
I recall the sweetness of your warm lips and how we were in the honeymoon phase of our love when spring was blooming.
I'm not afraid of autumn and her sorrow
I am not scared of facing the sadness that comes with change, particularly during the autumn season.
For I'll remember April and you
As long as I have the memories of our time together in April, I will remember you fondly.
The fire will dwindle into glowing ashes
Our passion and love will eventually die out, like a flame gradually turning into glowing embers.
For flames live such a little while
Romantic flames tend to be fleeting, and do not last long.
I won't forget but I won't be lonely
Even though I will never forget our time together, I will not be alone or succumb to loneliness because I will always have the memory of April, and you to keep me company.
I'll remember April and smile
When I think of April and you, I will smile because I will remember the happy moments we shared together.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DON RAYE, GENE DE PAUL, PATRICIA JOHNSTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind