Al Cohn and Friends - Zoot Sims Memorial Concert, 1986

Al Cohn and Friends at the 1986 Zoot Sims Memorial Concert featuring saxophonists Al Cohn, Turk Mauro, Lew Tabackin, Al Klink, Bob Wilbur, pianist Benny Aranov, bassist Bill Crow and drummer Ron Turso. Introduction by Ira Gitler. Video courtesy Turk Mauro. Zoot Sims was born in Inglewood, California, October 29, 1925, the son of vaudeville performers Kate Haley and John Sims. His father was a vaudeville hoofer, and Sims prided himself on remembering many of the steps his father taught him. Growing up in a performing family, Sims learned to play both drums and clarinet at an early age. His brother was trombonist Ray Sims. Following in the footsteps of Lester Young, Sims developed into an innovative tenor saxophonist. Throughout his career, he played with big bands, starting with those of Kenny Baker and Bobby Sherwood after dropping out of high school after one year. He played with Benny Goodman’s band in 1943 and replaced his idol Ben Webster in Sid Catlett’s Quartet in 1944. Sims serve