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
In A Sentimental Mood
Zoot Sims Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Simply because you're near me.
Funny, but when you're near me
I'm in the mood for love.
Heaven is in your eyes
Bright as the stars we're under
Oh! Is it any wonder
Why stop to think of whether
This little dream might fade?
We've put our hearts together
Now we are one, I'm not afraid!
If there's a cloud above
If it should rain we'll let it
But for tonight, forget it!
I'm in the mood for love
The song "The Man I Love" is a classic love song that speaks to the overwhelming emotions that come with falling in love. The lyrics begin by stating that the singer is in the mood for love simply because the object of their affection is near them. The proximity of the other person seems to fill the singer with an overwhelming sense of joy and desire.
The next stanza describes the way that the singer sees heaven in the person's eyes, and this connection with something greater only adds to the intensity of their emotions. The singer declares that they are not afraid because they have put their hearts together with the other person.
The final stanza speaks to the idea that anything can happen, and any obstacles that come their way can be overcome because they are together. The singer is not worried about a potential cloud above, or rain that might come. Instead, they are fully committed to the present moment and the feelings of love that they are experiencing.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Man I Love" speak to the all-encompassing nature of love and how it can fill a person with an overwhelming sense of joy and desire.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in the mood for love
Being by your side has filled me with a romantic yearning
Simply because you're near me.
Merely being in your proximity is enough to spark this ardor
Funny, but when you're near me
It's amusing that your mere presence can have such an impact on me
Heaven is in your eyes
Your eyes reflect an ethereal beauty that brings me joy
Bright as the stars we're under
Your eyes shine as bright as the stars in the night sky that covers us
Oh! Is it any wonder
Is it really a surprise that I'm captivated by your presence?
Why stop to think of whether
Why pause and consider the possibility that this feeling might not last?
This little dream might fade?
Why worry about the possibility that this affection might wane?
We've put our hearts together
We've committed ourselves to each other emotionally
Now we are one, I'm not afraid!
As a result, I feel united with you and unafraid of the uncertain future
If there's a cloud above
If there happens to be a problem or issue
If it should rain we'll let it
If it rains, we'll simply let it happen and not let it affect our happiness
But for tonight, forget it!
However, for tonight, let's focus on being together and not worry about the potential obstacles
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dorothy Fields, Jimmy Mchugh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ROBERT CATALIOTTI
Zoot once told me: "Jazz doesn't have to be revolutionary to be valid." Amen
Noah Pettibon
Wonderful sentiment for these times and all times
icecreamforcrowhurst
Beautiful. Just beautiful.
Rick Davenport
Amen!
The Brit and the Yank
This really pulled me in, Zoot is wonderfully musical, without any pretense, and his own man. While so many think of and speak of Getz, Al Cohn, and a host of other great musicians, Zoot goes largely unnoticed but I certainly hope not forgotten!
Dennis Beckman
Not among sax players. He is still considered one of the best by those who play his instrument.
Ken Lewis
Magnificent tenor sax. I love this ensemble. Zoot's smooth, sweet swing is on display here. He is a masterful jazz improvizatonist, and yet his interpretations always respect the melody and just "fit" musically. Some jazz sax players, including ones with huge reputations, seem to major on long outbursts of squawking, showing their skills in dissonance and playing lines that express more angst than music. Zoot is musical from beginning to end. Fantastic!!
Michael Tibbs
Thank you thank you for sharing this! It's a rare treat to hear Zoot Sims speak about jazz and his experiences. There's also one with him and Oscar Peterson on youtube. To seem him play so well, doing what he loved, just a few months prior to his death is incredible. Wonder where that old horn is now...
james carey
Thank you for posting this. Huge Zoot fan, since 1962 when I was 15 years old. Can't love him enough
icecreamforcrowhurst
That’s great, man. Tonight I’m smoking one for Zoot. Cheers.