Zoot Sims At The Half Note CD

During a long friendship, Zoot Sims and Al Cohn worked together on many occasions, and this 1965 broadcast from New York City's Half Note is one of many examples of how well they complemented one another's playing. Pianist Roger Kellaway, bassist Bill Crow and drummer Mel Lewis make up their potent rhythm section. The only well known piece is "The Red Door" (jointly written by Sims and Gerry Mulligan), the remaining songs are fairly obscure, with "Doodle Oodle" being a variation of "Sweet Georgia Brown," while "Saratoga Hunch" was written during this period by Dave Frishberg specifically for Sims and Cohn. Unfortunately, this CD is plagued with unexpected volume surges and fades in several tracks, especially in the middle of Roger Kellaway's solo in "Doodle Oodle." The music is worth hearing, but beware of the sound problems. ~ Ken Dryden

Zoot Sims and Al Cohn made many marvelous recordings together over several decades, but this Mexican CD of what is purported to be a 1965 air check from New York City's Half Note is hardly equal to the many commercial releases featuring the two tenor saxophonists. Not only is this release skimpy on packaging with no liner notes or composer credits, the sound is aggravating, as the volume frequently (and unexpectedly) goes up and down in the middle of a song. Both Sims and Cohn are in top form, with a rhythm section given as Roger Kellaway, Bill Crow, and Mel Lewis. The play list is full of obscurities, other than "The Red Door," a catchy piece co-composed by Sims and Gerry Mulligan while Sims was a member of the Gerry Mulligan Sextet in the 1950s. Dave Frishberg's "Saratoga Hunch," written especially for Sims and Cohn during their mid-'60s tenure at the Half Note, is a loping vehicle that proves to be a lot of fun for the two men. "Expense Account," written by veteran drummer Osie Johnson, is another treat, except for the numerous flaws in the source material for this disc. While completists who want everything that Zoot Sims and Al Cohn were ever recorded playing together will consider this an essential CD, be forewarned that the erratic sound quality requires a very patient listener to enjoy this otherwise recommended music. ~ Ken Dryden

tenor a saxophonist plays live in 1965 at the Half Note in NYC, joined by tenor saxophonist Al Cohn, pianist Roger Kellaway, bassist Bill Crow & drummer Mel Lewis

Recorded at the Half Note in New York, New York in 1965.

Personnel includes: Zoot Sims, Al Cohn (tenor saxophone); Roger Kellaway (piano); Bill Crow (bass); Mel Lewis (drums).