Remastered, 180-gram pressing

Album download included

In 1958 Zoot Sims played with Benny Goodman at Expo '58 in Brussels, where he met the Viennese-born Hans Koller, then Europe's coolest tenor sax. Two years earlier Sims had made a Blue Note recording with the German pianist Jutta Hipp and he was keen to meet other European jazz musicians. Sims eagerly accepted Koller's invitation to perform in Baden-Baden, and a studio concert was arranged with the two and a number of other jazz greats were invited.

What you get with Zoot Sims in Baden-Baden, recorded on June 23, 1958, is a single jam session in which each number features a different lineup and instrumentation. Sims and Koller on tenor sax get in the frame with "All The Things You Are," before switching to clarinet for Hammerschmid's composition "Minor Meeting For Two Clarinets" — a reference to Lester Young's love of the instrument. Then, simply sublime, Zoot Sim's rendition of "Tangerine." Koller's reply is "Fallin' In Love" — elegant and nimble, played like a young Stan Getz on his way to Brazil.

This concert lay long forgotten and lost to jazz enthusiasts. A pressing released in 1988 was flawed and of relatively poor quality. That alone was reason enough for allowing Zoot Sims and company one more opportunity to be heard, to be seen and to abide.

Track Listing
Side 1
All The Tings You Are
Minor Meeting For Two Clarinets
Blue Night
Open Door
Side 2
Fallin’ In Love
I Surrender Dear
Tangerine
I’ll Remember April