Zoot Sims - Bob Brookmeyer Octet: Stretching Out

AllMusic Review by Ken Dryden

Like many studio sessions recorded for United Artists, this 1958 session co-led by Zoot Sims and Bob Brookmeyer can be a bit tricky to find. Brookmeyer contributed most of the charts, including the easygoing blues which serves as the title track, as well as updated treatments of Jelly Roll Morton's "King Porter Stomp" and "Ain't Misbehavin'." Al Cohn is responsible for a swinging chart of "Pennies from Heaven" during which he switches to baritone sax, while Bill Potts wrote and arranged "Bee Kay." The rest of the superb band includes Harry "Sweets" Edison, Hank Jones, bassist Eddie Jones, guitarist Freddie Green, and drummer Charlie Persip. Aside from a few innocuous reed squeaks, the music is essentially flawless and has stood the test of time very well. Although U.S. reissues have been sparse, Fresh Sound re-released an LP of this music and Toshiba also put out a CD edition in Japan. In any case, fans of cool jazz will want to locate a copy of this session.

Zoot Sims - Bob Brookmeyer Octet Stretching Out

Set List 00:00 A1 Stretching Out (Bob Brookmeyer)6:07 06:08 A2 Now Will You Be Good (Terke,Jentes,Pease)5:27 11:36 A3 Pennies From Heaven (Johnston,Burke)6:14 17:52 B1 King Porter (Morton,Robbins,Burke)4:37 22:31 B2 Ain't Misbehavin' (Razaf,Waller,Brooks)6:52 29:26 B3 Bee Kay (Bill Potts) 6:38



Musicians Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Al Cohn Valve Trombone – Bob Brookmeyer Bass – Eddie Jones Drums – Charlie Persip Guitar – Freddie Green Piano – Hank Jones Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims Trumpet – Harry Edison

Recorded at Nola's penthouse December 27, 1958
United Artists Records