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John "Zoot" Sims
(1925-1985)

Saxophonist Zoot Sims was given his unusual nickname by Los Angeles bandleader Ken Baker. Sims was born in California to a vaudeville couple. Self-taught, he was hired by Benny Goodman in the early 1940s, but made his reputation as a member of Woody Herman’s "Four Brothers" sax section (which also included Stan Getz) a few years later. In the ‘50s, Sims freelanced, performing with a wide range of bandleaders, including Buddy Rich, Stan Kenton, Miles Davis, Artie Shaw and Gerry Mulligan. Later on Sims teamed with another "Four Brothers" veteran, Al Cohn, as a successful performing duo. Down Beat has said of him: "Sims was one of the most unaffected, relaxed and naturally swinging improvisers in jazz history. With a style more rooted in the swing era than other swing-to-boppers, Sims made it all look easy."