'Zoot Sims in France,' (1958-1961)

From 1950 forward, tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims performed and recorded often in France as a leader and a sideman. His first session as a leader was in June 1950 with Gerald Wiggins (p), Pierre Michelot (b) and Kenny Clarke (d) for the French Vogue label. He was there again in September 1953 with Stan Kenton and cut a leadership date there as well that same month. [Photo above of Zoot Sims in 1958]

Sims popped up in Paris in March 1956, and recorded behind singer Sarah Vaughan in July 1958 on the Quincy Jones-arranged Vaughan and Violins record date. Then in 1960, Sims performed with Gerry Mulligan’s Concert Jazz Band, followed in January 1961 by a gig at the Blue Note with the Bud Powell Trio, two studio sessions with Henri Renaud and His Sax Ensemble and with Benny Goodman’s band. The year ended with a quartet recording in December.

Now Fresh Sound has released Zoot Sims in France, a 15-track CD covering selections from two live dates and two studio sessions between 1958 and 1960. Sims was one of the leading exponents of the Lester Young style of playing, which was more about skimming through improvisation rather than huffing and puffing gruffly.

The first three tracks on the new album feature Sims with the Walter Davis Jr. Trio—Zoot Sims (ts), Walter Davis, Jr. (p), Doug Watkins (b) and Art Taylor (d). They played Algo Bueno, It Had to Be You and I’ll Remember April. It was recorded at the Cannes Jazz Festival in July 1958.

The second is a leadership date featuring Zoot Sims (ts), Maurice Vander (p), Jimmy Gourley (g), Pierre Michelot (b) and Kenny Clarke (d) at the Blue Note club in Paris in December 1960. The tracks: The Red Door, Autumn Leaves, Gone With the Wind, Willow Weep for Me and Love for Sale.

The third are two tracks from the session with Henri Renaud and His Sax Ensemble, featuring Zoot Sims (ts) with the sax ensemble George Bessieres (as), Jean-Louis Chautemps and Jose Germain (ts); William Boucaya (bar); plus Henri Renaud (p); Michel Gaudry (b) and Philippe Combelle (d). The tracks are Something for Lester [Daniel’s Blues] and Pasco (dedicated to Jimmy Gourley). These January 1961 recordings are issued here for the first time.

And finally, he’s with the Henri Renaud Quartet, featuring Zoot Sims (ts), Henri Renaud (p), Jimmy Gourley (g), Michel Gaudry (b) and Philippe Combelle (d). The tracks: Indian Summer (take 1), What’s New, Too Close for Comfort and Indian Summer (take 2). These were recorded in February 1961.

Sims was an astonishing swinger who could improvise fresh ideas for long stretches without running out of ideas. In France, during this period, he seemed to be feeding off both the high caliber of French jazz musicians and liberated black American expatriates who had moved there to find more consistent work playing and to enjoy a freer life than they experienced in the U.S.

To buy Zoot Sims in France (Fresh Sound), go here.

Here’s It Had to Be You…

Here’s Gone With the Wind…

And here’s a stunning rendition of What’s New…

Bonus: Here are a bunch of heavyweight swingers in Nice, France, in 1975. You didn’t climb into the ring with these guys unless you had it all together and more. As you listen to Lockjaw solo first, try to remember that Donegan had to follow him—and then nearly ran away with it. The musicians are Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis and Zoot Sims (ts), Harry “Sweets” Edison (tp), Dorothy Donegan (p), Arvell Shaw (b) and Panama Francis (d)…