THE SCOTT SILBERT QUARTET

DREAM DANCING

Independent Label

Scott Silbert, tenor & soprano saxophone; Amy Shook, bass; Robert Redd, piano; Chuck Redd, drums.

The collective chemistry of Scott Silbert’s quartet has wrapped arms around the legacy of tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims. This album celebrates what would have been Zoot Sims’s 100^th birthday on October 29, 2025.

“Zoot always brought an air of fun, humor and warmth to his small group recordings, always melodic and always swinging, without any pretense.  Zoot’s style didn’t change over the years. It matured beautifully,” Scott Silbert sang his praises of the beloved jazz musician.

“Dream Dancing” is the first tune they play. It’s also the title of this awesome album. The song is a Cole Porter composition. Silbert’s tenor saxophone slides deliciously across my listening room, smooth as Fred Astaire on a polished dance floor. The arrangement is quite Brazilian.

This quartet has a warm, familiar sound. They invite me into their world with no compunction. Amy Shook swings on “Louisiana,” pumping her walking bass and taking a notable solo. She’s accompanied by Chuck Redd riding underneath her creativity with pops of rhythm that encourage and push the bassist forward with rigorous energy.

Their rendition of “That Ole Devil Called Love” brings back the smooth saxophone presentation of Zoot Sims. It reminds us of his influence by the great Ben Webster. Scott Silbert carefully executes his instrument with those two men in mind.  Robert Redd keeps steady timing on his piano, improvising on the theme with depth and creativity.

Every tune played is both beautiful and comforting.  There is love wrapped up in this music. I can feel it as I listen to each arrangement. Among the familiar jazz tunes we enjoy, Scott Silbert has slipped in one original song titled “Blues for Louise.”  He wrote it for Zoot’s wife, Louise Choo. Zoot Sims married her in 1970. They stayed together until Zoot’s death in 1985.

I could listen to the music of The Scott Silbert Quartet all day and never tire of hearing it.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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