Carmen McRae - For Lady Day, Vol. 2

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1983
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:30
Size: 119,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:29)  1. Intro
(2:06)  2. Laughing At Life
(3:48)  3. You Ain't Gonna Bother Me No More
(2:53)  4. Easy Livin'
(4:41)  5. Yesterdays
(6:18)  6. My Old Flame
(2:50)  7. Nice Work If You Can Get It
(4:48)  8. Billie's Blues
(3:27)  9. Travelin' Light
(5:46) 10. Medley: If You Were Mine / It's Like Reaching For The Moon
(1:36) 11. I'm Painting The Town Red
(5:31) 12. You've Changed
(3:12) 13. Mean To Me

The second volume of Carmen McRae's heartfelt tribute to Billie Holiday, like the first, comes from a broadcast taped by WBGO-FM at the Blue Note in New York City on New Year's Eve, 1983. McRae takes a few minutes to explain the evolution of her tribute and she hardly attempts to sing Holiday's material in the same way, but utilizing her own powerful, emotional approach, often lagging behind the beat. McRae also delves into songs that Holiday performed but are not as readily associated with her, such as "Laughing at Life" and "You Ain't Gonna Bother Me No More." Her rhythm section, including pianist Marshall Otwell, bassist John Leftwich, and drummer Donald Bailey, provides strong support, with the occasional appearance of tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims (especially on "My Old Flame" and "Mean to Me") providing an added bonus. Like the first volume, this Novus CD was not released until after McRae's death, while this outstanding set makes jazz fans wonder why record labels don't mine public radio live broadcasts for similar performances more often.~Ken Dryden http://www.allmusic.com/album/for-lady-day-vol-2-mw0000176927

Personnel : Carmen McRae (vocals); Zoot Sims (tenor saxophone);  Marshall Otwell (piano); John Leftwich (bass);  Donald Baily (drums).

For Lady Day, Vol. 2

---

Carmen McRae - For Lady Day, Vol. 1

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1983
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:15
Size: 117,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:32)  1. Intro
(2:34)  2. Miss Brown to you
(4:21)  3. Good morning heartache
(4:24)  4. I'm gonna lock my heart and throw away the key
(6:23)  5. Fine and mellow
(1:26)  6. Them there eyes
(6:18)  7. Lover man
(2:20)  8. I cried for you (now it's your turn to cry over me)
(6:42)  9. God bless the child
(2:57) 10. I hear music
(3:17) 11. I'm pulling through
(4:06) 12. Don't explain
(2:50) 13. What a little moonlight can do

Carmen McRae always considered Billie Holiday to be the most important influence not only on her singing but on her life. Six years before she recorded her monumental tributes to Thelonious Monk and Sarah Vaughan, McRae performed a Billie Holiday set at New York's Blue Note Club that was broadcast over the radio; on the first of two volumes, McRae, who talks movingly about Lady Day at the beginning of the set and accompanies herself on piano on "I'm Pulling Through," is heard in prime form, combining the power and range of her earlier years with the emotional depth and behind-the-beat phrasing of her last period. Accompanied by her rhythm section of the time (pianist Marshall Otwell, bassist John Leftwich, and drummer Donald Bailey) and occasionally the tenor of Zoot Sims, McRae really digs into the material, interpreting the songs in her own style but with a knowing nod toward Holiday. This wonderful set is far superior to most of the Billie Holiday tribute albums and reminds one how much Carmen McRae is missed.~Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/for-lady-day-mw0000123562

Personnel: Carmen McRae (vocals, piano), Zoot Sims (tenor saxophone), Marshall Otwell (piano), John Leftwich (bass), Donald Bailey (drums).

For Lady Day, vol. 1

---

Chris Connor - Chris Connor (Hd Remastered)

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1956/2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:46
Size: 94,9 MB
Art: Front

(1:54)  1. I Get a Kick out of You
(3:17)  2. Something to Live For
(3:11)  3. Get out of Town
(3:51)  4. Where Are You?
(2:18)  5. Anything Goes
(3:28)  6. When the Wind Was Green
(3:47)  7. He Was Too Good to Me
(2:51)  8. You Make Me Feel so Young
(3:50)  9. Everytime
(2:32) 10. Way out There
(2:47) 11. My April Heart
(2:14) 12. Almost Like Being in Love
(2:04) 13. Circus (Bonus Track)
(2:35) 14. Flying Home (Bonus Track)

Stunningly repackaged, remastered, and featuring new liner notes by leading jazz writers, the Warner Jazz Masters Series includes best sellers as well as rare, sought-after gems. The first jazz vocal LP ever released on Atlantic Records, Chris Connor's self-titled album is one of her best (among considerable competition). Connor's coarse, throaty tone, sweet phrasing, and unerring rhythm were peaking during the late '50s, and the results are delightful tweaks of the standards "Anything Goes" and "Almost Like Being in Love." With similarly excellent results, Connor also transforms a couple of Sinatra's evergreens: "I Get a Kick Out of You," taken at breakneck pace with a small group including pianist John Lewis, bassist Oscar Pettiford, and drummer Connie Kay; "Where Are You"; and "You Make Me Feel So Young," with a ten-piece featuring tenor Zoot Sims and bassist Milt Hinton.
By Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Connor-Chris/dp/B0009QQ6I0

Chris Connor (Hd Remastered)

---

Sonny Stitt - How High The Moon

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:04
Size: 151,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:58)  1. Koko
(4:00)  2. Easy Living
(4:43)  3. It's Hipper Than That
(4:47)  4. How High The Moon
(3:49)  5. Lover Man
(5:28)  6. Fools Rush In
(7:13)  7. Lonesome Road
(4:23)  8. I Want To Go Home
(6:38)  9. Katea
(4:30) 10. Flame And Frost
(5:14) 11. The Night Has A Thousand Eyes
(5:17) 12. Our Day Will Come
(5:57) 13. My Main Man

This is a 1998 CD reissue guaranteed to frustrate completists. Rather than bring back a complete session or two, the CD has "highlights" from three vintage Sonny Stitt dates owned by Chess and originally put out by Argo and Cadet. Five of the ten numbers cut at a superb 1958 quartet date with pianist Barry Harris (Burnin'), four of the six selections from a rare meeting with tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims (Inter-action) and four of the seven performances from a more routine encounter with trombonist Bennie Green and organist Bobby Buster (My Main Man) are included. The music is generally quite good (particularly "Koko," "How High the Moon," "Lonesome Road" and "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes"), and Stitt plays eight songs on tenor and five on alto, showing off his solid sense of swing and his command of the bebop vocabulary. One just wishes the music had been reissued more coherently. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/how-high-the-moon-mw0000036216

Personnel: Sonny Stitt (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Joe Diorio (guitar); Zoot Sims (tenor saxophone); Bennie Green (trombone); John Young , Barry Harris , Barry Harris Trio (piano); Bobby Buster (organ); Frank Gant, Dorel Anderson, Phil Thomas (drums).

How High The Moon

---

Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Allen Eager, Brew Moore - The Brothers

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1989
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:50
Size: 102,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:12) 1. Five Brothers
(3:36) 2. Five Brothers (Alternate Take)
(3:54) 3. Battle Of The Saxes
(3:48) 4. Four And One Moore
(3:33) 5. Four And One Moore (Alternate Take)
(3:23) 6. Battleground
(3:17) 7. Battleground (Alternate Take)
(4:35) 8. The Red Door
(4:22) 9. Zootcase
(4:28) 10. Tangerine
(5:37) 11. Morning Sun

The music on this LP recalls the airy "Four Brothers" sound that tenor saxophonists Stan Getz, Zoot Sims and Herbie Steward, and baritone saxophonist Serge Charloff, plied in Woody Herman's band of 1947. For this outing, Steward and Charloff exit, and four become five with the addition of tenor luminaries Al Cohn, Brew Moore, and Allen Eager. The set appropriately kicks off with Gerry Mulligan's "Five Brothers," a tune reminiscent of Jimmy Giuffre's original "Four Brothers" in its fluid and bouncy arrangement.

Three other attractive and similarly disposed originals (one more by Mulligan and two by Cohn) complete the saxophone session from 1949, all featuring swinging statements by each soloist. A 1952 sextet date led by Sims and Cohn is also included, offering up another round of original and buoyantly swinging cuts, bolstered by lively contributions from trombonist Kai Winding and solid rhythmic support by pianist George Wallington, bassist Percy Heath, and drummer Art Blakey. A fine release that nicely showcases the cool, proto-West Coast bop forged by both these soloists and Miles Davis.~ Stephen Cook https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-brothers-mw0000652734

Personnel: Piano – George Wallington, Walter Bishop, Bass – Gene Ramey , Percy Heath; Drums – Art Blakey, Charlie Perry; Tenor Saxophone – Al Cohn, Allen Eager, Brew Moore, Stan Getz, Zoot Sims; Trombone – Kai Winding

The Brothers

---

Gerry Mulligan - California Concerts - Volume 1, Volume 2

Album: California Concerts - Volume 1

Gerry Mulligan - The Original Sextet: Complete Studio Master Takes

Styles: Saxophone And Piano Jazz
Year: 2019
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 152:17
Size: 353,3 MB
Art: Front

(5:07) 1. Mud Bug
(5:07) 2. Sweet and Lovely
(5:29) 3. Apple Core
(4:39) 4. Nights at the Turntable
(6:39) 5. Broadway
(5:25) 6. Everything Happens to Me
(5:13) 7. Lady Is a Tramp
(6:46) 8. Benie's Tune
(4:07) 9. Makin' Whoopee
(5:43) 10. Demanton
(4:29) 11. Duke Ellington Medley: Moon Mist,In a Sentimental Mood
(4:26) 12. Westward Walk
(3:30) 13. La Plus Que Lente
(8:17) 14. Blues
(6:52) 15. Elevation
(6:49) 16. Mainstream
(5:24) 17. Ain't It the Truth
(6:58) 18. Igloo
(5:44) 19. Blues at the Roots
(5:53) 20. Lollypop
(7:02) 21. Blues (Bonus Track)
(5:42) 22. Lady Is a Tramp (Bonus Track)
(5:41) 23. Demanton (Bonus Track)
(6:37) 24. Broadway (Bonus Track)
(2:46) 25. Sweet and Lovely [Feat. Jon Eardley, Bob Brookmeyer & Zoot Sims] (Short Version, Bonus Track)
(2:40) 26. Bernie's Tune [Feat. Jon Eardley, Bob Brookmeyer & Zoot Sims] (Short Version, Bonus Track)
(5:22) 27. Westwood Walk (Bonus Track)
(3:39) 28. La Plus Que Lente (Bonus Track)

This two-disc, 28-track compilation gathers all of Gerry Mulligan's sides recorded with a short-lived sextet lineup in 1955 and 1956. Originally released as three LPs on the Emarcy and Mercury labels 1955's Presenting the Gerry Mulligan Sextet and A Profile of Gerry Mulligan and 1956's Mainstream of Jazz this material was recorded in New York City after Mulligan had returned to his hometown following the 1954 drug bust that ended his star-making Los Angeles group with Chet Baker. As a result, some call these sessions the first flowering of "West Coast" cool jazz on the Eastern Seaboard, but in point of fact, these tracks can be traced directly back to Mulligan's work with Miles Davis and Gil Evans on the Birth of the Cool sessions in 1949.

As on those sides, Mulligan's primary musical sparring partner is a trombonist, Bob Brookmeyer, and the unusual pairing of Mulligan's baritone and Brookmeyer's trombone takes precedence over the more conventional trumpet (Jon Eardley and Don Ferrara) and tenor (Zoot Sims) parts. The primary difference here is in the rhythm section (drummer Dave Bailey and either Peck Morrison or Bill Crow on bass, with both Mulligan and Brookmeyer doubling on piano when necessary), which gooses the tempos in a way that Mulligan's more languid early groups rarely managed. Furthermore, unlike the earlier recordings, which had to be edited for 78 rpm play, this group is allowed to stretch out, leading to longer and more daring solos. The sextet never became the hot group of the moment in the way that the Mulligan and Baker lineup did, but this set beautifully showcases their gifts. As an added gift, the second disc includes eight rare and unissued alternate takes, including both sides of a 1955 single pairing greatly reduced versions of "Sweet and Lovely" and "Bernie's Tune."~ Stewart Mason https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-original-sextet-complete-studio-master-takes-mw0001170379

Personnel: Baritone Saxophone, Piano – Gerry Mulligan; Bass – Bill Crow, Peck Morrison; Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims; Trombone, Piano – Bob Brookmeyer; Trumpet – Don Ferrara, Jon Eardley

The Original Sextet: Complete Studio Master Takes (Bonus Track Version)

---

Zoot Sims - I Wish I Were Twins

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1981
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:02
Size: 101,0 MB
Art: Front

(5:13)  1. I Wish I Were Twins
(5:41)  2. Georgia On My Mind
(5:16)  3. Changes
(5:33)  4. The Touch Of Your Lips
(7:58)  5. The Fish Horn
(5:39)  6. Come Closer To Me
(7:39)  7. You Go Your Way

Zoot Sims (doubling on tenor and soprano) teams up once again with pianist Jimmy Rowles; this time bassist Frank Tate and drummer Akira Tana are the supporting cast. Rowles is a master not only at accompanying soloists (he always seems to come up with the perfect chord) but in picking up superior obscurities to perform. In addition to "Georgia on My Mind" and "The Touch of Your Lips," this album contains such tunes as "I Wish I Were Twins," "Changes" and Johnny Mercer's "You Go Your Way"; Sims contributed "The Fish Horn" to feature his soprano. A fine swinging date filled with thoughtful improvisations. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/i-wish-i-were-twins-mw0000674755

Personnel: Tenor Saxophone, Sopranino Saxophone – Zoot Sims; Bass – Frank Tate; Drums – Akira Tana; Piano – Jimmy Rowles

I Wish I Were Twins

---

Zoot Sims Quartet - Tenorly

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1993
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:18
Size: 160,5 MB
Art: Front

(2:58)  1. Night And Day, Take 1
(2:58)  2. Night And Day, Take 2
(2:58)  3. Night And Day, Take 3
(3:20)  4. Slingin' Hasch, Take 1
(3:30)  5. Slingin' Hasch, Take 2
(2:48)  6. Tenorly, Take 1
(2:50)  7. Tenorly, Take 2
(2:47)  8. Tenorly, Take 3
(3:21)  9. Zoot And Zoot
(3:41) 10. I Understand, Take 1
(3:33) 11. I Understand, Take 2
(3:08) 12. Don't Worry About Me
(3:13) 13. Crystal
(5:52) 14. Toot's Suite
(4:27) 15. The Late Tiny Kahn
(3:18) 16. Call It Anything
(4:12) 17. Zoot's Suite
(3:32) 18. Once A While
(2:42) 19. Great Drums

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 https://www.allmusic.com/artist/zoot-sims-mn0000228087/biography

Personnel: Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims; Bass – Don Bagley (tracks: 14 to 19), Pierre Michelot (tracks: 1 to 13); Drums – Jean-Louis Viale (tracks: 14 to 19), Kenny Clarke (tracks: 1 to 13); Guitar – Jimmy Gourley (tracks: 14 to 19); Piano – Gerry Wiggins (tracks: 1 to 13), Henri Renaud (tracks: 14 to 19); Trombone – Frank Rosolino (tracks: 14 to 19)

Tenorly

---

Michel Legrand - After The Rain

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1983
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:28
Size: 100,6 MB
Art: Front

(8:54)  1. Nobody Knows
(6:21)  2. After The Rain
(6:28)  3. I Was Born In Love With You
(7:55)  4. Orson's Theme
(7:46)  5. Pieces Of Dreams
(6:02)  6. Martina (Les Enfants Qui Pleurent)

This high-quality outing (reissued on CD) features composer Michel Legrand faring quite well as a jazz pianist. He performs six of his compositions (only "Pieces of Dream" is well-known) with a lyrical septet also including altoist Phil Woods (doubling on clarinet), tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims, trumpeter Joe Wilder, guitarist Gene Bertoncini, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Grady Tate. The music generally swings, has plenty of fine melodic solos, and gives listeners a taste of some fresh Legrand material. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/after-the-rain-mw0000267685

Personnel:  Piano, Producer – Michel Legrand; Bass – Ron Carter; Drums – Grady Tate; Guitar – Gene Bertoncini; Saxophone – Zoot Sims; Saxophone, Clarinet – Phil Woods; Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Joe Wilder 

 

R.I.P.
After The Rain

---

Zoot Sims - Cookin'!

Styles: Saxophone Jazz 
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:40
Size: 91,1 MB
Art: Front

(6:45)  1. Stompin' At The Savoy
(6:13)  2. Love For Sale
(7:02)  3. Somebody Loves Me
(8:13)  4. Gone With The Wind
(7:40)  5. Autumn Leaves
(3:45)  6. Desperation

One of the greatest Zoot Sims albums of the 60s  a very smoking live set, recorded in the UK with a hip British rhythm section! Zoot's blowing in front of the Stan Tracy trio a group led by pianist Tracy, with a style that was every bit as swinging as it was modern and fresh. The style makes for a very different approach than some of Sims' American albums of the time a bit more edgey, with tracks that cut into the groove in unusual ways. Ronnie Scott and Jimmy Deuchar join the group for one track "Desperation" and other titles include "Love For Sale", "Autumn Leaves", "Somebody Loves Me", and "Gone With The Wind". (Japanese pressing on 180 gram vinyl, with obi and insert.)  © 1996-2018, Dusty Groove, Inc. https://www.dustygroove.com/item/493009/Zoot-Sims:Cookin%27

Personnel: Tenor Saxophone – Ronnie Scott, Zoot Sims;   Bass – Kenny Napper;  Drums – Jackie Dougan;  Piano – Stan Tracy;  Trumpet – Jimmy Deuchar 

Cookin'!

---

Woody Herman - Keeper Of The Flame

Styles: Clarinet, Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:21
Size: 137,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:04)  1. That's Right
(2:52)  2. Lemon Drop
(3:14)  3. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
(3:07)  4. I Ain't Gettin' Any Younger
(3:12)  5. Early Autumn
(3:05)  6. More Than You Know
(3:03)  7. Keeper Of The Flame
(3:14)  8. The Crickets
(3:13)  9. More Moon
(3:11) 10. Detour Ahead
(3:12) 11. Jamaica Rhumba
(2:53) 12. Not Really The Blues
(2:57) 13. Tenderly
(2:42) 14. Lollipop
(2:37) 15. I'll Be Glad When You're Dead You Rascal You
(3:13) 16. You've Got A Date with The Blues
(3:10) 17. Rhapsody In wood
(2:57) 18. The Great Lie
(3:14) 19. In The Beginning

Subtitled The Complete Capitol Recordings of the Four Brothers Band, this CD contains 19 selections from Herman's Second Herd, including three songs never before released. Top-heavy with major soloists (including trumpeters Red Rodney and Shorty Rogers; trombonist Bill Harris; tenors Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, Stan Getz, and Gene Ammons; and vibraphonist Terry Gibbs; not to mention Herman himself), this boppish band may have cost the leader a small fortune but they created timeless music. Highlights include "Early Autumn" (a ballad performance that made Stan Getz a star), the riotous "Lemon Drop," and Gene Ammons' strong solo on "More Moon." 

~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/keeper-of-the-flame-the-complete-capitol-recordings-mw0000075785

Personnel:  Clarinet – Woody Herman;  Alto Saxophone – Sam Marowitz, Woody Herman;  Baritone Saxophone – Serge Chaloff;  Bass – Chubby Jackson (tracks: 1 to 7), Joe Mondragon (tracks: 13 to 19), Oscar Pettiford (tracks: 8 to 12);  Drums – Don Lamond (tracks: 1 to 7), Shelly Manne (tracks: 8 to 19);  Piano – Lou Levy;  Tenor Saxophone – Al Cohn (tracks: 1 to 7), Buddy Savitt (tracks: 8 to 19), Gene Ammons (tracks: 8 to 19), Jimmy Giuffre (tracks: 8 to 19), Stan Getz (tracks: 1 to 7), Zoot Sims (tracks: 1 to 7);  Trombone – Bart Varsalona (tracks: 8 to 19), Bill Harris, Bob Swift (tracks: 1 to 7), Earl Swope, Ollie Wilson ; Trumpet – Al Porcino (tracks: 8 to 19), Bernie Glow (tracks: 1 to 7), Charlie Walp (tracks: 8 to 19), Ernie Royal, Red Rodney (tracks: 1 to 7), Shorty Rogers, Stan Fishelson;  Vibraphone – Terry Gibbs (tracks: 1 to 7, 10 to 19);  Vocals – Mary Ann McCall (tracks: 1 to 9), Woody Herman

Keeper Of The Flame

---

Zoot Sims, Bucky Pizzarelli - Nirvana

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1974
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:20
Size: 96,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:16)  1. Summerset
(4:00)  2. Honeysuckle Rose
(3:20)  3. A Summer Thing
(3:38)  4. Somebody Loves Me
(2:54)  5. Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You
(4:19)  6. Nirvana
(4:05)  7. Indiana
(4:08)  8. Memories Of You
(4:39)  9. Come Rain Or Come Shine
(3:25) 10. Up A Lazy River
(2:30) 11. Send In The Clowns

Nirvana is an album by American jazz saxophonist Zoot Sims and guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli with special guest Buddy Rich recorded in 1974 and released on the Groove Merchant label. https://en.wikipedia.or /wiki/Nirvana_(Zoot_Sims_and_Bucky_Pizzarelli_album)

Personnel:  Zoot Sims – tenor saxophone, vocals on track 5;  Bucky Pizzarelli – guitar;  Milt Hinton – bass;  Buddy Rich – drums (tracks 1–4 & 6–11), vocals on track 5;  Stan Kay – drums (track 5)

Nirvana

---

Betty Blake - Betty Blake Sings In A Tender Mood

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 31:26
Size: 72.0 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 1961/2014
Art: Front

[1:57] 1. Let There Be Love
[2:14] 2. I'll Be Around
[1:58] 3. Moon And Sand
[2:27] 4. Trouble Is A Man
[2:17] 5. Love Is Just Around The Corner
[5:12] 6. Lilac Wine
[2:32] 7. It's So Peaceful In The Country
[2:32] 8. While We're Young
[2:23] 9. Blue Fool
[2:43] 10. All Of You
[2:32] 11. Don't Say Love Has Ended
[2:34] 12. Out Of This World

Vocalist Betty Blake made one fine recording for Bethlehem in 1960, Betty Blake Sings in a Tender Mood. On the strength of it, she deserved more opportunities and exposure. ~Ron Wynn

If you haven’t figured it out by now, here it is spelled out for you: any release of an obscure vocalist on the Fresh Sound label from Spain is going to impress you, and make you wonder why you’ve never heard of him or her before. Here’s another case in point-Betty Blake. She sang in the 50s for Buddy Morrow’s orchestra, and then after a ’57 session with vibist Teddy Charles, was invited to do an album for Bethlehem Records. After that, she simply disappeared as if abducted by aliens. Maybe they liked jazz on Mars or something, as this album of her 1961 session, as well as her handful of tunes with Charles, are delightful.

Her voice is a kind of husky mix of Chris Connor and June Christy: cool and swinging but with a dash of molasses. She is in the company of some of the classiest guys around, with Mal Waldron/p, Kenny Burrell/g, Ed Shaughnessy/dr, Zoot Sims/ts, Charles/vib, Marcus Belgrave/tp and Charlie Persip/dr just a sample of the rotating team. Even better, she wisely keeps the standards under wraps, and does some wonderful things with obscurities like “Moon and Sand,” “Lilac Wine” and “Blue Fool.” Her reading of “All of You” is rich and inviting, while “I’ll Be Around” has her in warmth and assurance. In a larger setting of an orchestra lead by Jack Zimmerman, she gets a bit Chet Bakery on “But Not For Me.” Who talked her out of more sessions? This one’s a keeper! ~GWJazz

Betty Blake Sings In A Tender Mood mc
Betty Blake Sings In A Tender Mood zippy

---

Zoot Sims - For Lady Day

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:33
Size: 111.2 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1990
Art: Front

[3:40] 1. Easy Living
[4:59] 2. That Ole Devil Called Love
[4:56] 3. Some Other Spring
[4:24] 4. I Cover The Waterfront
[5:49] 5. You Go To My Head
[4:30] 6. I Cried For You
[3:19] 7. Body And Soul
[4:46] 8. Trav'lin' Light
[3:43] 9. You're My Thrill
[3:03] 10. No More
[5:19] 11. My Man

Bass – George Mraz; Drums – Jackie Williams; Piano – Jimmy Rowles; Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims. Recorded april 10th, 11th, 1978, New York.

It is strange that this album was not released until the CD came out in 1990, for tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims and pianist Jimmy Rowles' tribute to Billie Holiday is melodic, tasteful, and largely memorable. Together with bassist George Mraz and drummer Jackie Williams back in 1978, they perform 11 songs associated with Holiday, including quite a few that would have been lost in obscurity if Lady Day had not uplifted them with her recordings. Highlights include "Easy Living," "Some Other Spring," "I Cried for You," "Body and Soul," and "You're My Thrill." A lyrical and heartfelt tribute. ~Scott Yanow

For Lady Day mc
For Lady Day zippy

---

Zoot Sims, Henri Renaud - Zoot Sims Avec Henri Renaud Et Son Orchestre

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:56
Size: 77.7 MB
Styles: Bop, Swing
Year: 1956/2002
Art: Front

[5:02] 1. Captain Jetter
[7:22] 2. Nuzzolese Blues
[4:18] 3. Everything I Love
[3:21] 4. Evening In Paris
[5:35] 5. On The Alamo
[3:23] 6. My Old Flame
[4:53] 7. Little Jon Special

Bass – Benoit Quersin; Drums – Charles Saudrais; Piano – Henri Renaud; Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims; Trumpet – Jon Eardley. Recorded in Paris, 15th & 16th March 1956.

Splendid japanese reissue of ultra rare french only jazz 10" LP from 1956 featuring Jon Eardley.

Zoot Sims Avec Henri Renaud Et Son Orchestre mc
Zoot Sims Avec Henri Renaud Et Son Orchestre zippy

---

Hank Mobley, Al Cohn, John Coltrane, Zoot Sims - Tenor Conclave

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:51
Size: 100.4 MB
Styles: Bop, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1956/1990
Art: Front

[11:02] 1. Tenor Conclave
[ 9:26] 2. Just You, Just Me
[ 8:17] 3. Bob's Boys
[15:04] 4. How Deep Is The Ocean

These four sides should not be hard to locate, as the primary participants in this November 30, 1956, session have all issued them within their individual catalogs. However Tenor Conclave was first released as credited to the "leaderless" Prestige All-Stars -- consisting of tenor saxophonists John Coltrane, Hank Mobley, Al Cohn, and Zoot Sims. Providing support are pianist Red Garland, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Art Taylor. The Mobley-penned title track commences the effort with the quartet of tenors showing off their stuff in high-flying style. It takes a couple of passes and somewhat of a trained ear to be able to link the players with their contributions, but as is often the case, the whole tends to be greater than the sum of the parts. After a brief introduction with all four rapidly reeling off short riffs, Mobley charges ahead into truly inspired territory. The midtempo take of "Just You, Just Me" keeps things lively with a light swinging pace that is custom-made for bringing the combo's jocular side to the surface, particularly toward the end as they "trade fours," with each tenor blowing four bars before passing the melody on. The other Mobley composition is "Bob's Boys," and by all accounts it is the most compelling piece on the outing. The blues-based tune rollicks as Coltrane, Mobley, Cohn, and Sims find themselves configured in a seeming myriad of sonic face-offs. Wrapping up Tenor Conclave is an ultra-cool and sophisticated "How Deep Is the Ocean?" Cohn commences the long and luscious reading with a subtle strength, suggesting the powerful undercurrent flowing throughout the number. Also, listeners are treated to what is possibly Garland's finest interaction, leading right into Sims, Chambers, and finally a sublime Coltrane caboose. ~Lindsay Planer

Tenor Conclave zippy

---

Sonny Stitt, Zoot Sims - Inter-Action

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:09
Size: 80.5 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1965/2006
Art: Front

[8:00] 1. My Blue Heaven
[3:03] 2. The Saber
[6:51] 3. Katea
[5:29] 4. Fools Rush In
[7:17] 5. Look Down That Lonesome Road
[4:26] 6. I Want To Go Home

Finding this album serendipitously was a little like my going to Chicago's Plugged Nickel one Sunday in the '70s to hear Sonny Stitt and finding Sonny had managed to include on the date--contrary to my wildest expectations--Zoot Sims! In college I had soon been made aware of the West Coast vs. East Coast, cool bop vs. hard bop, Pacific Jazz vs. Blue Note, white vs. black cultural wars. Among saxophonists, Zoot Sims along with Getz, Cohn, Desmond, Konitz, etc. were roundly dismissed and out of favor whereas Trane, Rollins, Dexter, Ammons and Stitt were, according to the influential jazz "authorities" (who were from Chicago rather than a place like my esoteric N. Wisconsin village), the only guys worth listening to. Had they any idea that Stitt had recorded not only with Zoot but with, horrors! Jimmy Giuffre, I have little doubt their closed little worlds could not have withstood the shock.

Granted, Sonny is a more competitive player than Zoot, never meeting a conclave of tenor (or alto) players he wasn't eager to do battle with. At the Plugged Nickel, I recall that he remained standing on the stage while Zoot was content (or required) to stand on the floor, somewhat beneath Sonny on his left side. Moreover, Sonny was still using his Varitone device, which not only doubled his tones but amplified them, giving him a considerable advantage over the unmiked Zoot. But after the first set it became easy to ignore these disparities in favor of the swinging and inventive lines that Zoot was playing during each of his turns. Unlike Sonny (along with numerous other beboppers who, admittedly, often played for the "sport" of it), Zoot seemed to zone in exclusively on the tunes, the rhythm section, the opportunities to contribute to a whole and satisfying result.

Much the same can be heard on this recording. In fact, Zoot's approach seems to affect Sonny's playing for the better, making him less of a competitor than a "team player." Whoever came up with the title for this encounter must have listened carefully to the master tapes first. ~Samuel C.

Inter-Action

---

Bill Potts, Brasilia Nueve - How Insensitive

Styles: Piano, Latin Jazz
Year: 1967
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 30:36
Size: 70,6 MB
Art: Front

(2:37)  1. How Insensitive
(2:49)  2. Brasilville
(3:05)  3. Day By Day
(3:14)  4. Now I Know The Feeling
(2:51)  5. My Heart Loves The Samba
(2:34)  6. Teach Me Tonight
(4:11)  7. Meditation
(3:08)  8. Como Va
(2:47)  9. Que Se Vaya
(3:13) 10. Forgetting You

Caetano Rodrigues said wonders about this album since it has arrived here. Actually, this LP was supposed to be released yesterday when that technical difficulties appeared. It is the kind of album that you make discovers each time you take for a hearing. Thanks Caetano for making it available, some type of music is very hard to identify, your knowledge has been of a great help to zecalouro and Loronixers. This is Brasilia Nueve, How Insensitive (1969), for Decca. I forgot to check with Caetano and I think the band known here as Brasilia Nueve was assembled only to release this album, recorded in New York. The main performer is the jazz pianist Bill Potts, followed by the sax tenor of Zoot Zimns and a special artist playing vibes that could not be listed, probably due contracts obligations. They made together a nice approach to Bossa Nova, melting at the same song the Bossa Nova rhythm, suddenly changing to jazz on very complex and transitions. Thanks Caetano for this LP, which is a very hard to find information about.

Personnel:  Piano – Bill Potts;  Bass – Richard Davis (2);  Cabasa – Charlie Palmieri;  Conductor, Arranged By – Bill Potts;  Congas – Chino Pozo;  Drums – Mel Lewis;  Guitar – Barry Galbraith, Tony Gottuso;  Percussion – Louie Ramirez;  Producer – Richard Marin;  Saxophone – Zoot Sims;  Trumpet – Markie Markowitz;   Vibraphone [Special Guest Artist] – Unknown Artist

How Insensitive

---

Bill Potts - The Jazz Soul of Porgy and Bess

Styles: Jazz, Post-Bop 

Year: 1959

File: MP3@256K/s

Time: 47:36

Size: 87,6 MB

Art: Front

(3:08)  1. Summertime

(2:23)  2. A Woman Is A Sometimes Thing

(4:10)  3. My Man's Gone Now

(2:45)  4. It Takes A Long Pull To Get There

(3:27)  5. I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'

(5:18)  6. Bess, You Is My Woman

(3:16)  7. It Ain't Necessarily So

(5:15)  8. Medley

(3:04)  9. I Loves You Porgy

(3:15) 10. Clara, Clara

(3:25) 11. There's A Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon For New York

(4:41) 12. Oh Bess, Oh Where's My Bess

(3:22) 13. Oh Lawd, I'm On My Way

Music that will endure, played with all the skill, passion and imagination that great jazz musicians can bring to bear on it. These are but two of the basic factors which make The Jazz Soul of Porgy and Bess one of the finest jazz albums ever made. Just as crucial was a third the superb work of arranger Bill Potts, which established him as a major figure in the field of arranging for jazz orchestra. Add to all that a score that includes the top songs written by George and Ira Gershwin for this classic musical. The result was itself a multifaceted classic, a faithful translation to the language of big band jazz of the emotional rollercoaster of love and tragedy set to music by the Gershwins, brought to dramatic life by one of the finest groups of jazz ever assembled under one roof for a recording session. ~ Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Porgy-Bess-Arranged-Conducted-Potts/dp/B005Y0QXD4

Personnel: BIll Potts (arr, cond), Charlie Shavers, Harry Edison, Art Farmer, Bernie Glow (tp), Bob Brookmeyer (v-tb), Jimmy Cleveland, Frank Rehak (tb), Phil Woods, Gene Quill, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Sol Schlinger (saxes), Bill Evans (p), Herbie Powell (g), George Duvivier (b), Charles Persip (d)

The Jazz Soul of Porgy and Bess

---