Inter-Action by Sonny Stitt & Zoot Sims

A chance meeting resulted in this fine collection of twin-sax hard bop

Inter-Action
Sonny Stitt & Zoot Sims
Cadet Records DJLP-760
Released 1966

Sonny Stitt and John Haley “Zoot” Sims were two prolific jazz saxophonists who enjoyed long careers. They first met when they shared a bill at Chicago’s Plugged Nickel club. Throughout the two week stint, the two built such a close rapport that they decided to join forces and cut an album at Ter Mar Recording Studios in Chicago, engineered by the legendary Ron Malo. Sims band, the John Young Trio, provided the rhythm section – John Young (piano), Sam Kidd (bass), and Phil Thomas (drums). Young’s piano gets equal space and provides a trio sound. Stitt and Sims share influences from Lester Young and Charlie Parker, so their playing blend so well you’re not quite sure who is playing what without checking the liner notes. The album starts off with Walter Donaldson’s “My Blue Heaven.” The eight-minute track features solos from Stitt, Sims, and Young over Kidd’s walking bass and Thomas’ brushes. “Katea” is a Stitt original that has a hummable melody played in unison so effortlessly that you’d think these two have been together for years. “Look Down That Lonesome Road” really cooks. Sims and Stitt trade bars while the rhythm section chugs along. The meeting of these two virtuosos really swings and they obviously enjoy playing together. Unfortunately, their chance encounter resulted in the duo’s only collaboration. Both Stitts and Sims continued their prolific careers through the 1970s and early 1980s. Stitt died from cancer in 1982 and was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1989. Sims died of lung cancer in 1985 and was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1992.