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Jimmy Heath, the middle brother in an illustrious jazz family, was born in Philadelphia in 1926. |
He began playing the alto saxophone in high school and got his first gig in 1946 with bandleader Nat Towles, who was stationed at the Dreamland Ballroom in Omaha, Neb. After a year there, Heath returned to Philly and began writing and arranging for his own big band which included young sax players John Coltrane and Benny Golson.
His big brother, Percy, had recently returned to Philadelphia after a stint as a Tuskegee Airman in World War II and was studying bass. The two began practicing and working together. In 1947, the brothers went to work with bandleader Howard McGhee, who relocated both brothers to New York and eventually took them on a world tour. The tour included a gig at the First International Jazz Festival in Paris in 1948. Jimmy Heath was merely 21 then, but found himself on stage with the likes of Coleman Hawkins, Slam Stewart and Erroll Garner. After a year with McGhee, Heath joined up with Dizzy Gillespie's big band and played there for a year.
By the early 1950s, Heath's abilities on the alto had earned him the nickname of "Little Bird," a complimentary comparison to Charlie "Bird" Parker. At the same time, Heath realized that there was more work available for tenor players, so he quickly and effortlessly made the switch. Throughout the remainder of the 1950s, Heath performed with Miles Davis, Kenny Dorham and Gil Evans, in addition to freelance writing and recording.
In the 1960s, Heath's reputation grew as a player and composer. In addition to fronting his own groups, he maintained lasting recording and performing affiliations with Milt Jackson and Art Farmer. In 1975, Jimmy joined his older brother, Percy ("Big P") on bass and their younger brother, Albert "Tootie" Heath on drums to perform and record 8 albums as the Heath Brothers. Heath compositions, such as Gingerbread Boy and CTA have since been popularized by jazz greats like Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Billy Taylor, Cannonball Adderley, Clark Terry, Ray Charles and Dexter Gordon.
Jimmy Heath has appeared on over 125 albums and has composed more than 100 original tunes. In addition, he has composed several larger works including suites, string quartets, symphonic works. Heath has also been an avid jazz educator.
The Heath family legacy continues as Jimmy's son, Mtume, is a successful percussionist and record producer.
Check out this week's Piano Jazz Shorts: the Piano Jazz podcast.
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Set List for Jimmy Heath on Piano Jazz:Sleeves (J. Heath)
You've Changed (Carey, Fischer)
Gingerbread Boy (J. Heath)
Body and Soul (Green, Heyman, Sour)
On Green Dolphin Street (Kaper, Washington)
Take The A-Train (Strayhorn)
Chelsea Bridge (Strayhorn)
All Members (J. Heath)
CTA (J. Heath)
His big brother, Percy, had recently returned to Philadelphia after a stint as a Tuskegee Airman in World War II and was studying bass. The two began practicing and working together. In 1947, the brothers went to work with bandleader Howard McGhee, who relocated both brothers to New York and eventually took them on a world tour. The tour included a gig at the First International Jazz Festival in Paris in 1948. Jimmy Heath was merely 21 then, but found himself on stage with the likes of Coleman Hawkins, Slam Stewart and Erroll Garner. After a year with McGhee, Heath joined up with Dizzy Gillespie's big band and played there for a year.
By the early 1950s, Heath's abilities on the alto had earned him the nickname of "Little Bird," a complimentary comparison to Charlie "Bird" Parker. At the same time, Heath realized that there was more work available for tenor players, so he quickly and effortlessly made the switch. Throughout the remainder of the 1950s, Heath performed with Miles Davis, Kenny Dorham and Gil Evans, in addition to freelance writing and recording.
In the 1960s, Heath's reputation grew as a player and composer. In addition to fronting his own groups, he maintained lasting recording and performing affiliations with Milt Jackson and Art Farmer. In 1975, Jimmy joined his older brother, Percy ("Big P") on bass and their younger brother, Albert "Tootie" Heath on drums to perform and record 8 albums as the Heath Brothers. Heath compositions, such as Gingerbread Boy and CTA have since been popularized by jazz greats like Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Billy Taylor, Cannonball Adderley, Clark Terry, Ray Charles and Dexter Gordon.
Jimmy Heath has appeared on over 125 albums and has composed more than 100 original tunes. In addition, he has composed several larger works including suites, string quartets, symphonic works. Heath has also been an avid jazz educator.
The Heath family legacy continues as Jimmy's son, Mtume, is a successful percussionist and record producer.
Check out this week's Piano Jazz Shorts: the Piano Jazz podcast.
Subscribe!
Set List for Jimmy Heath on Piano Jazz: