On December 15th, the Jazz Program held its annual Zoot Sims party at Zinno's restaurant in the village. In honor of the late Zoot Sims, over one hundred guests and musicians gathered for an intimate evening of impromptu performances to celebrate the illustrious career of this renowned tenor saxophonist.
Roy Haynes and Bill Crow
Some of New York's finest jazz musicians rose to the occasion, including Jay Leonhardt, Rufus Reid, Roy Haynes, Clark Terry, James Williams, Jack Wilkins, Akira Tana, Bucky Pizzarelli, faculty members Chico Freeman, Jimmy Owens, and Junior Mance, and jazz students Dmitry Baevsky (1996 recipient of the Zoot Sims Scholarship), Aaron Hamilton, Drew Carrano, Jaz Sawyer, Tyra Fennell and Jennifer Vincent.

Touring in dance bands from the age of 15, Zoot Sims began working with Benny Goodman, who he later toured with throughout Europe, the Soviet Union and Australia. In 1947, he joined Woody Herman's big band, where he became part of the famous Four Brothers saxophone section, established by Gene Roland's writing for the four tenor saxophonists in the band. Working primarily as a freelance musician, Mr. Sims performed with Buddy Rich, Chubby Jackson, Elliot Lawrence, Stan Kenton's band, and Gerry Mulligan's groups (including Mulligan's Concert Jazz Band) throughout the early 1950s. From 1957 to the early 1980s, he toured England and Europe with Jazz at the Philharmonic, performed at the Grande Parade du Jazz in Nice, and led bop quintets with Al Cohn. A jazz traditionalist, Mr. Sims was often noted for his "exuberant, driving sense of swing."


Bill Crow and Frank Wess
 Prior to his death, Mr. Sims asked his friend Paul Weinstein to arrange an event to celebrate his love for jazz and his life as a musician. The party has now been an annual event since his death in 1985. Proceeds from the party go toward The Zoot Sims Scholarship Fund.


Photo Credit: Stephanie Berger