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
Someone To Watch Over Me
Zoot Sims Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Still were often told, seek and ye shall find
So I'm going to seek a certain lad I've had in mind
Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet
Hes the big affair I cannot forget
Only man I ever think of with regret
I'd like to add his initial to my monogram
There's a somebody I'm longing to see
I hope that he turns out to be
Someone who'll watch over me
I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood
I know I could always be good
Someone who'll watch over me
Although he may not be the man some
Girls think of as handsome
To my heart he carries the key
Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
Someone to watch over me
The lyrics to Zoot Sims's song Someone To Watch Over Me reflect the universal feeling of seeking love and protection in someone's arms. The song begins with a saying that implies love is blind, yet we are instructed to search for love to find it. The lyrics then reveal the central theme of the song, the search for the perfect mate. The singer of the story is looking for a particular man who she cannot forget, and she is searching for him everywhere. She then alludes to the idea that if she finds him, she would like to add his initial on her monogram, symbolizing a desire to commit to him.
The second verse of the song reveals the singer's longing to find a certain somebody who she hopes will watch over her. She describes herself as a little lamb who is lost in the woods, longing for someone who can guide her. She also reveals that even though this somebody may not fit society's conventional definition of handsome, he holds the key to her heart. The singer then pleads with this somebody to put on some speed and follow her lead, indicating her readiness to be in a relationship.
Overall, the song is a reminder of the universal longing for love and companionship. It reflects the idea that no matter how independent and strong we may be, we all need someone to watch over us and guide us through life.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a saying old says that love is blind
Love is often irrational and doesn't necessarily involve reason or logic.
Still were often told, seek and ye shall find
People are advised to actively search for what they desire in order to find it.
So I'm going to seek a certain lad I've had in mind
The singer has a specific person in mind that they are determined to find.
Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet
Despite actively searching, the artist has not yet found the person they are looking for.
Hes the big affair I cannot forget
The person the artist is searching for is incredibly significant to them and has left a lasting impression.
Only man I ever think of with regret
The singer has regrets related to the person they are searching for and may have missed opportunities with them in the past.
I'd like to add his initial to my monogram
The singer desires a deeper connection with this person - one that reaches beyond just their name.
Tell me, where is the shepherd for this lost lamb?
The artist is in need of guidance and help in finding the person they are looking for.
There's a somebody I'm longing to see
The artist has a strong desire to see someone specific.
I hope that he turns out to be
The artist has high hopes for this person and their potential relationship with them.
Someone who'll watch over me
The singer desires emotional support and security from this person.
I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood
The artist feels vulnerable and unsure of themselves without the guidance and support of the person they are looking for.
I know I could always be good
The singer is willing to do whatever it takes to gain the affection and approval of the person they are looking for.
Although he may not be the man some
The person the singer is looking for may not fit the conventional standards of attractiveness or charm.
Girls think of as handsome
Other women may not see the appeal in the person the singer is looking for.
To my heart he carries the key
The artist sees this person as the only one who can unlock their heart and bring them happiness.
Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
The artist is urging someone to speed up the process of finding the person they are looking for.
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
The singer is requesting help and support in their search for this person.
Someone to watch over me
Once again, the singer desires emotional support and security from the person they are looking for.
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Broma 16, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Edward Mallon
Unmistakable Zoot . Absolutely great as always. The gal in the garter belt must have helped his inspiration even more
Gary Oldroyd
Lot's of great Tenor Players through the years! The BIG blustery sound of Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster. The lighter rounder tone of Lester Young who most younger players of the instrument patterned their tones after. Zoot Sims had a tone quite like Prez tone but he could get a Coleman Hawkins influence in there to. Zoot seemed to "SWING" more than other cats, that's what I dug!
Debb Starr
@TheScoop8 You nailed it totally -- excellent description of Zoot's sound -- pure soul. I'd like to get a copy of the album you mentioned, especially because I play sax. I hope you can check out my sax video. :)
Bertil Selminger
The one and only, Zoot Sims.
Debb Starr
@benitopitopol Genius is putting all these musicians on one Gershwin album. Extreme magic.
Lou McConnell
Check out his album ‘if I’m lucky ‘
Timothy Lee
great kept the melody all the way threw