From A to Z: The Musical Partnership of Al Cohn and Zoot SIMs

Alvin Gilbert Cohn and John Haley “Zoot” Sims formed one of the most enduring musical partnerships in jazz history. Both tenor saxophonists were initially shaped by the style of Lester Young. Their partnership began in 1948 as members of Woody Herman’s Second Herd. Cohn’s exceptional arranging skills provided Cohn and Sims’ co-led group a distinct identity which set them apart from the many other two-tenor groups. Following their time with Herman, they spent most of their careers based in New York. From 1959 until 1975, the Half Note acted as the headquarters for their quintet. Throughout their thirty-seven year partnership, they performed thousands of times across the United States. Together, they toured Canada, South America, Europe, and Japan. They performed with many key figures in jazz history, such as: Woody Herman, Stan Getz, Artie Shaw, John Coltrane, Gerry Mulligan, Bob Brookmeyer, Phil Woods, Hank Jones, among many others. Despite their popularity among jazz enthusiasts and musicians, no comprehensive study exists detailing their careers. This dissertation illuminates their musical partnership by detailing their early years, tracing their joint activities, and exploring their recorded output, which includes nine studio albums, four authorized live albums, and numerous unofficial recordings.