Two Funky People 1952-61

There has never been any other partnership in jazz quite like that of tenor saxophonists Al Cohn and Zoot Sims. After their initial meeting in the late 1940s Woody Herman band, the pairing became firm musical friends, forming a union that would last until Sims's death in 1985. This new release documents the first decade of their recorded collaboration, including master takes from all the albums released under their co-leadership during the 1950s and early 1960s, together with joint appearances under Cohn’s name, the celebrated ‘Tenor Conclave’ summit with fellow tenors John Coltrane and Hank Mobley and an exciting live session recorded in Brazil in 1961, originally issued on an obscure US label. Other stellar jazz names heard on these 48 tracks include Mose Allison, Ronnie Ball, Art Blakey, Paul Chambers, Red Garland, Hank Jones, Art Taylor, Kai Winding and Phil Woods. This unique compilation features over four hours of music and comes complete with rare photographs, album sleeves and a comprehensive booklet essay by noted saxophonist and author Simon Spillett.