Zoot Sims

John Haley “Zoot” Sims was a saxophonist’s saxophonist, a musician everybody wanted to work with because he made everything he played sound better. Largely self-taught, he was renowned for his rhythmic drive, lyrical warmth, and effortless swing – jumping from the “Four Brothers” section of Woody Herman’s big band to later become a standout soloist in the cool jazz and West Coast jazz scenes. He once said of his own work, “What interests me is music that sounds and feels good. If it doesn’t warm my ear, forget it.”The “Jazz Profiles” shows – nearly 200 of them – are part of the Tim Owens Jazz & Broadcast Collection at the University of North Texas Music Library. In a partnership with Tim and UNTML, we’ve picked a handful of noteworthy shows to share with you. You can find more “Jazz Profiles” shows at the UNT Music Library’s Jazz Syndicate (www.library.unt.edu/jazzsyndicate), and learn more about 32 Bar Blues' clothing collection and commitment to the arts at 32barblues.com