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Jimmy Heath

 
Artist: Jimmy Heath
 
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Jimmy Heath

Similar Artists:

Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, Johnny Griffin, Dexter Gordon, William Russo, Eddie Davis, John Coltrane, Maria Schneider, Buddy Rich, Gerry Mulligan, Hank Mobley, Stan Kenton, Bill Holman, Billy Harper, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Von Freeman, Sonny Criss, George Coleman

Influenced By:

Sonny Stitt, Charlie Parker

Followers:

T.K. Blue, Roy Nathanson

Performed Songs By:

Duke Ellington

Worked With:

Milt Jackson, Orrin Keepnews, J.J. Johnson, Freddie Hubbard, Albert "Tootie" Heath, Rudy Van Gelder, Kenny Clarke, Clark Terry, Percy Heath, Cedar Walton, Sam Jones, Miles Davis

Formal Connection With:

Mark Elf

Relationship With:

James Mtume
  • Born: October 25, 1926, Philadelphia, PA
  • Active: '40s, '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s
  • Genres: Jazz
  • Instrument: Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor), Flute
  • Representative Albums: "On the Trail," "Really Big!," "Picture of Heath"
  • Representative Songs: "Gingerbread Boy," "C.T.A.," "Dewey Square"

Biography

The middle of the three Heath Brothers, Jimmy Heath has a distinctive sound on tenor, is a fluid player on soprano and flute, and a very talented arranger/composer whose originals include "C.T.A." and "Gingerbread Boy." He was originally an altoist, playing with Howard McGhee during 1947-1948 and the Dizzy Gillespie big band (1949-1950). Called "Little Bird" because of the similarity in his playing to Charlie Parker, Heath switched to tenor in the early '50s. Although out of action for a few years due to "personal problems," Heath wrote for Chet Baker and Art Blakey during 1956-1957. Back in action in 1959, he worked with Miles Davis briefly that year, in addition to Kenny Dorham and Gil Evans, and started a string of impressive recordings for Riverside. In the 1960s, Heath frequently teamed up with Milt Jackson and Art Farmer, and he also worked as an educator and a freelance arranger. During 1975-1982, Jimmy Heath teamed up with brothers Percy and Tootie in the Heath Brothers, and since then has remained active as a saxophonist and writer. In addition to his earlier Riverside dates, Jimmy Heath has recorded as a leader for Cobblestone, Muse, Xanadu, Landmark, and Verve. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
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Wikipedia: Jimmy Heath
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Percy Heath and Jimmy (1977)

James Edward Heath (born October 25, 1926)[1], nicknamed Little Bird, is an American jazz tenor saxophonist, and the brother of bassist Percy Heath and drummer Albert Heath.

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Biography

Jimmy originally played alto saxophone but after the influence of Charlie Parker on his work for Howard McGhee and Dizzy Gillespie in the late 1940s, he earned the nickname "Little Bird" (Parker's nickname was Bird) and he switched to tenor sax. [1]

He returned to work with Miles Davis in 1959. He went on to introduce John Coltrane to Miles. Then with Kenny Dorham and Gil Evans. He recorded extensively as leader and sideman. During the 1960s, he frequently worked with Milt Jackson and Art Farmer.[1]

In 1975, he and his brothers formed the Heath Brothers, also featuring pianist Stanley Cowell.[1]

Jimmy composed most of the 1956 Chet Baker and Art Pepper album Playboys.[1]

In the 1980s, he joined the faculty of the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College in the City University of New York. With the rank of Professor, he led the creation of the Jazz Program at Queens College and attracted many outstanding musicians, such as Donald Byrd to the campus. He also served on the Board of the Louis Armstrong Archives on campus and the restoration and management of the Louis and Lucille Armstrong Residence in Corona, Queens. Mr. Heath continued his association with the College until recently. In 2004, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Human Letters.[2]

He frequently performs master classes in New York City and teaches his love for the saxophone.

He is the father of R&B songwriter/musician James Mtume.

Discography

This section requires expansion.

As leader

As sideman

Further information: Heath Brothers

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Allmusic biography
  2. ^ CUNY.edu

External links


This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

 
 

 

Copyrights:

Artist. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Jimmy Heath".  Read more

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