- Jimmy Heath
James Edward Heath (born
October 25 ,1926 ), nicknamed Little Bird, is an Americanjazz tenorsaxophonist , and the brother ofbassist Percy Heath anddrummer Tootie Heath .History
Jimmy originally played alto saxophone but after the influence of
Charlie Parker on his work forHoward McGhee andDizzy Gillespie in the late 1940s, he earned the nickname "Little Bird" (Parker's nickname was Bird) and he switched to tenor sax. He was out of the music scene for several years in the 1950s, returned to work withMiles Davis in 1959 and then withKenny Dorham andGil Evans . He also recorded extensively. During the 1960s, he frequently worked withMilt Jackson andArt Farmer . In 1975, he and his brothers formed theHeath Brothers . Tootie dropped out of the group in 1978 but Jimmy, Percy and their sidemen stayed together until 1982. Jimmy continued to work frequently following the break-up of this band.In the 1980s, he joined he 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. [http://www.qc.cuny.edu/nis/Releases/viewNews.php?id=69He 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 External links
* [http://www.nea.gov/national/jazz/masterbios/percyheath.html National Endowment for the Arts - NEA Jazz Masters biography]
* [http://www.brotherlyjazz.com Brotherly Jazz:The Heath Brothers DVD Documentary]
* [http://www.nea.gov/national/jazz/masterbios/jimmyheath.html Jimmy Heath biography] @National Endowment for the Arts
* [http://www.visionaryproject.com/heathjimmy Jimmy Heath's oral history video excerpts] at The National Visionary Leadership Project
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