Zoot Sims/Al Cohn/Phil Woods: Jazz Alive! A Night At The Half Note

John Sharpe

Contributor

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Published: September 1, 1998

Although Al and Zoot recorded this session in 1959, this simpatico tenor duo would continue to record together right until the late 70s. Jazz Alive! gives you a taste of a "typical" night at a hot New York jazz club. Sims and Cohn are accompanied by the rhythm team of Mose Allison (piano), Paul Motian (drums) and Nabil Totah (bass) on the first two tracks and then high-flying altoist Phil Woods joins the group for two more numbers. The program of three extended standards and the bop classic Wee Dot gives all the participants ample room to stretch. Al and Zoot engage in some lyrical, good natured tenor jousts; trading "fours" and intermingling complementary lead lines. Both men swing like crazy! Phil's harder, inscive alto sound stands in stark contrast to his mellower tenor cohorts. Another fine reissue from the historic BlueNote catalog. 4-5 stars.

Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream