Jazz Alive: A Night at the Half Note (1959)

About this title: Zoot Sims and Al Cohn always made great music together; this live CD documents portions of two nights' work together at the Half Note in New York City, assisted by pianist Mose Allison, bassist Nabil Totah and drummer Paul Motian. Their brisk setting of "Lover, Come Back to Me" features Cohn, Sims and Allison soloing in turn, building the fire before the eventual trading of fours between the tenor saxophonists. After a relaxed rendition of "It Had to Be You," alto saxophonist Phil Woods is added to the mix for the next two numbers, recorded the very next evening. The guest sets up the ... read more

Tracks:

1. Lover, Come Back to Me [Romberg/Hammerstein]
2. It Had to Be You [Jones/Kahn]
3. Wee Dot [Johnson/Parker]
4. After You've Gone [Creamer/Layton]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.