Jimmy Heath
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Edward Heath (born October 25, 1926), nicknamed Little Bird, is an American jazz tenor saxophonist, and the brother of bassist Percy Heath and drummer Tootie Heath.
[edit] History
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. He was out of the music scene for several years in the 1950s, returned to work with Miles Davis in 1959 and then with Kenny Dorham and Gil Evans. He also recorded extensively. During the 1960s, he frequently worked with Milt Jackson and Art Farmer. In 1975, he and his brothers formed the Heath 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. He frequently performs master classes in New York City and teaches his love for the saxophone.
[edit] External links
- Jimmy Heath biography @ National Endowment for the Arts
- Jimmy Heathbiography and video interview excerpts by The National Visionary Leadership Project
 |
This article on a United States musician who plays a woodwind instrument is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
