The first date consisted of the rhythm section playing on some tunes selected by George Handy, who also played piano on the date. Zoot improvised on the tunes, leaving out the melodies. George then took the improvisations home and wrote out three other sax parts to fit Zoot's blowing choruses. We returned to the studio a week or so later where Zoot, with head phones, dubbed in each part separately. The result was astounding, the timing of the solos, seamless.
Jazz is still alive and well, hosted by a legion of young, talented instrumentalists.
I do, however, miss the indelible musical signature of a Zoot, Stan Getz, Al Cohn, Ben Webster, or Lester Young. The pioneers of mainstream jazz have left us with memories and recordings. As with the pioneers of the Old West, we can look back at their passing with fond memories.