Joe Venuti & Zoot Sims
Since jazz is a continuous process of learning and experimenting, many artists have continued to thrive well into their autumn years, even if not quite at past levels. Yet, in the cases of both Joe Venuti and Zoot Sims, their most memorable and spirited work actually came in the 1970s, when Venuti was in his 70s and Sims his 50s. The first thing that comes across when listening to this record, which combines four cuts from a 1974 session with a complete 1975 session, is just how closely Venuti and Sims are listening to each other's ideas. They very often feed off each other, finishing one another's sentences even when talking simultaneously, and engaging in a playful game of hide and seek. Both possess an extraordinary combination of tenderness and wit as well as unyielding respect for the old and often obscure melodies they choose to interpret. Venuti's playing shows amazing versatility and range, weeping one moment, grinning brightly the next, swinging with modern flair and then reverting to Old World styles. Based on the pair's compatibility alone, this makes for delightful, enchanting listening.--Marc Greilsamer