Zoot Sims - Plays Alto Tenor Baritone George Handy Compositions

kimpickens

Review by Kim Pickens

Zoot Sims’ “Plays Alto Tenor Baritone George Handy Compositions” – A Cool Jazz Gem That Still Grooves If you’re into jazz and haven’t heard Zoot Sims’ Plays Alto Tenor Baritone George Handy Compositions, you’re missing out on something special. Released in 1967 in the UK under the Music For Pleasure label, this album is a smooth ride through bop and cool jazz vibes. Produced by Creed Taylor (yeah, that Creed Taylor), it’s got all the hallmarks of a classic: tight arrangements by George Handy, killer sax work from Zoot Sims himself, and a rhythm section that just clicks. Let’s dive into two tracks that really stuck with me. First up, there’s “The Trouble With Me Is You.” This tune has this laid-back groove that sneaks up on ya. The piano intro from John Williams sets the mood, and then Zoot comes in like he owns the place—because, well, he kinda does. His tenor sax playing here feels conversational, like he’s telling you a story over coffee but with way more swagger. There’s this one little riff halfway through where he bends the notes so perfectly, it’s like your ears go, “Wait…rewind that!” It’s understated brilliance at its finest. Then there’s “Pegasus,” which closes the album. If you’ve ever wanted to hear what flying might sound like as music, this track nails it. The whole band gets space to breathe here, especially Gus Johnson on drums—he lays down these subtle fills that make everything feel weightless. And Zoot? Dude switches between alto and baritone saxes like it ain’t no thing, giving each solo a different flavor. One minute it’s sharp and playful, the next it’s deep and brooding. By the time the last note fades, you’ll wanna hit repeat before you even realize it. What makes this album stand out isn’t just the skill—it’s how effortlessly fun it feels. Listening to it, you can almost picture Zoot Sims cracking jokes between takes while the crew chats about lunch spots nearby. Even Roger St. Pierre’s sleeve notes add a personal touch, making you feel like you’re part of the session. Here’s the kicker though: for an album called George Handy Compositions, I walked away thinking most about Zoot Sims. Don’t get me wrong—Handy’s arrangements are top-notch—but Zoot’s personality shines so bright, it kinda steals the show. Maybe that’s why they put his name first? Or maybe it’s proof that sometimes, letting someone run wild within great structures leads to magic. So if you’re hunting for some vinyl gold or just wanna spice up your playlist, give this one a spin. Just don’t blame me when you find yourself humming “Pegasus” during your morning commute.

Download Zoot Sims - Plays Alto Tenor Baritone George Handy Compositions
Artist: Zoot Sims
Album: Plays Alto Tenor Baritone George Handy Compositions
Rating: 5.0

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: zoot-sims-plays-alto-tenor-baritone-george-handy-compositions.zip
  • MP3 size: 54.4 mb
  • FLAC size: 268 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Zonkin'
Major, Major
Pegasus
Minor, Minor
Noshin'
The Trouble With Me Is You
Blinuet
Where You At?

Video

Zoot Sims - Where You At ? (mono)
Zoot Sims Quartet - The trouble with me is you

Images

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Catalog Numbers

MFP 1148

Labels

Music For Pleasure

Listen online

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Formats

  • Vinyl
  • LP
  • Album
  • Reissue
  • Mono

Companies

RoleCompany
Printed ByGarrod & Lofthouse
Manufactured ByThe Gramophone Co. Ltd.

Credits

RoleCredit
Alto SaxophoneZoot Sims
Tenor SaxophoneZoot Sims
Baritone SaxophoneZoot Sims
Arranged ByGeorge Handy
BassKnobby Totah
DesignJan Matthews
DrumsGus Johnson
Photography ByCal Thompson
PianoJohn Williams
ProducerCreed Taylor
Sleeve NotesRoger St. Pierre

Barcodes

  • Matrix / Runout (Side A): ABC 155 A-2
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B): ABC 155 B-2

About Zoot Sims

American jazz saxophonist (tenor and soprano). Born: 29 October 29 1925 in Inglewood, California, USA. Died: 23 March 1985 in New York City, New York, USA (age 59). "Zoot" Sims is one of the greatest high register saxophone players of his generation, especially on tenor, though he also adopted alto and much later soprano. Regularly recorded for labels, and is well known for his playing on the recordings of beatnik writer and painter .

Real Name

    • John Haley Sims

Name Vars

  • \
  • Sims
  • J. Sims
  • Jack \
  • Jack 'Zoot' Sims
  • Jack Sims
  • Jack Zoot
  • James Sims
  • John \
  • John 'Zoot' Sims
  • John (Zoot) Sims
  • John Haley \
  • John Haley 'Zoot' Sims
  • John Haley Sims
  • John Haley Zoot Sims
  • John Sims
  • Leonard \
  • Leonard Sims
  • Simms
  • Z. Sims
  • Zoos Zims
  • Zoot
  • Zoot Simms
  • Zoot Sims (Solo)
  • Zoot Sims And His Band
  • Zoot Sims Duo
  • Zoot Syms
  • Zoot Zims
  • Zoots Sims
  • Zot Sims
  • ºüÈû·àº

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s something cool: The album *Plays Alto Tenor Baritone George Handy Compositions* by Zoot Sims is like a one-man saxophone show. Zoot Sims plays all three saxophones—alto, tenor, and baritone—on the same record. It’s not every day you see one musician pulling off that kind of triple duty. Released in 1967 in the UK, the album blends Bop and Cool Jazz styles, with arrangements by George Handy. Fun detail: the sleeve notes were written by Roger St. Pierre, and the session even features pianist John Williams—not *that* John Williams, though (no Star Wars themes here!).