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 Understand
Zoot Sims Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know you want to be free
Darling, you know I'll let you go
You'd do the same for me
I understand
And darling, you are not to blame
If when we kiss it's not the same
It's not your fault because your heart has changed it's mind
You didn't mean to be unkind
I understand
Forgetting you will be far from easy
I've grown so used to your charms
I'll miss that old thrill and no one can fill
The place here in my arms
But if you find our love was really meant to be
Then darling, hurry back to me
And I'll understand
I understand
And darling, you are not to blame
If when we kiss it's not the same
I understand.
It's not your fault because your heart has changed it's mind
You didn't mean to be unkind
I understand
Forgetting you will be far from easy
I've grown so used to your charms
I'll miss that old thrill and no one can fill
The place here in my arms
But if you find our love was really meant to be
Then darling, hurry back to me
The song "I Understand" by Zoot Sims Quartet is a heartbreakingly beautiful ballad that speaks about understanding, forgiveness, and acceptance in a relationship. The lyrics are directed towards a partner who is pretending to be happy in the relationship even though they want to be free. The singer acknowledges their partner's need for freedom and assures them that they won't hold them back if that's what they truly desire. The singer expresses understanding towards their partner and tells them that they are not to be blamed, as their heart has changed its mind. The song talks about the pain the singer feels at the thought of their partner leaving and how they will miss them dearly. However, the singer acknowledges that sometimes, love isn't easy, and sometimes, it comes with heartbreaks.
The song's lyrics speak about the complications and difficulties that come with love and relationships, acknowledging that sometimes things don't work out, and people fall out of love. However, the song also speaks about forgiveness and acceptance in relationships, showing that despite the pain of a breakup or a failed relationship, there can still be love and understanding. The song's melody and Zoot Sims Quartet's performance convey the emotions of sadness and heartbreak, making it a poignant and powerful ballad.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do you go on pretending
I see that you are pretending that you are happy in this relationship even though you want to be free.
You know you want to be free
You know that you are not contented and you want to be free.
Darling, you know I'll let you go
My dear, I won't hold you back and I know that I have to let you go.
You'd do the same for me
I know that you are also willing to let me go if I feel the same way as you do.
I understand
I acknowledge and accept your decision.
And darling, you are not to blame
My dear, I don't blame you for feeling this way because you deserve to be happy.
If when we kiss it's not the same
I know that something changed between us as our kisses are not the same as before.
It's not your fault because your heart has changed it's mind
I understand that you fell out of love with me and it's not something you can control.
You didn't mean to be unkind
I know that you didn't intend to be hurtful to me.
Forgetting you will be far from easy
I am aware that it will be difficult for me to move on from you and our memories together.
I've grown so used to your charms
I have become accustomed to your attractive qualities and the way you appeal to me.
I'll miss that old thrill and no one can fill
I will miss the excitement and feeling you bring that no one else can replace.
The place here in my arms
The space beside me, where you used to be when I held you.
But if you find our love was really meant to be
If you realize that our love was destined to be together after all,
Then darling, hurry back to me
My dear, please come back to me as soon as you can.
And I'll understand
I will comprehend and forgive you as I always will.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAM PAT BEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Joaodojazz
Eu tava aqui pensado
Imaginado..
Nas cenas dos firmes em mimha mente
Você é a atriz principal
Eu sou apenas aquele que voce partiu em pedaços
Com um sorriso tão meigo
Mas ouvir dizer
Que todo poeta
Tem essa maldição
Buscamos a paz
Mas nunca achamos
Eu nem sei quem eu sou mais..
Eu nem sei como voltar a sorrir
Nao ligo ser perco o tom
Nao ligo ser desafino
Canto apenas pra escapar dss magoas do meu coração
Fazendo minhas noites
Serem apenas solidão
@rdehn5799
thanks for this upload
@60otaku4
You're welcome, r dehn-san!!
Otaku4 (*^_^)/
@MrIgorspiroski
whoaa...
@Indo49
From Wikipedia: "" (October 29, 1925 – March 23, 1985) was an American jazz saxophonist, playing mainly tenor but also alto (and, later, soprano) saxophone. He first gained attention in the "Four Brothers" sax section of Woody Herman's big band, afterward enjoying a long solo career, often in partnership with fellow saxmen Gerry Mulligan and Al Cohn.
Sims was born in 1925 in Inglewood, California to vaudeville performers Kate Haley and John Sims. His father was a vaudeville hoofer, and Sims prided himself on remembering many of the steps his father taught him. Growing up in a performing family, he learned to play drums and clarinet at an early age. His brother was the trombonist Ray Sims.
@Joaodojazz
Eu tava aqui pensado
Imaginado..
Nas cenas dos firmes em mimha mente
Você é a atriz principal
Eu sou apenas aquele que voce partiu em pedaços
Com um sorriso tão meigo
Mas ouvir dizer
Que todo poeta
Tem essa maldição
Buscamos a paz
Mas nunca achamos
Eu nem sei quem eu sou mais..
Eu nem sei como voltar a sorrir
Nao ligo ser perco o tom
Nao ligo ser desafino
Canto apenas pra escapar dss magoas do meu coração
Fazendo minhas noites
Serem apenas solidão
@gotporramat2587
2:53
@wasinsinpangpit873
0:44
@Longshotsblues
His name should have been as big as Stan Getz and others. One of the sax & jazz elite.
Don't Worry About Me needs to be removed in the Music: This is, I Understand.
@bolocface
Very nice but so similar to Prez and Getz.
@jamesmattear9844
If you think this is similar to Pres and Getz you need to listen more closely!