As reported in my previous post, it was announced that tenor sax legend Jimmy Heath passed away earlier that day (Jan. 19). JazzMain played Heath's composition For Minors Only in memory of the great man. That piece was just one of the many tunes he wrote. The Chet Baker/Art Pepper album, Playboy's seven tracks include five by Jimmy Heath, For Minors Only being one of them.On the J.J. Johnson album pictured above he more than holds his own with big hitters like J.J. and Brownie.
Sadly, I never got to hear him live missing him by one year at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland where, along with brother Percy Heath, he played in 1981.
There aren't many of the elder statesmen left just drummers and sax players. The ones that spring to mind are Lee Konitz, Sonny Rollins, Benny Golson, Jimmy Cobb, Roy Haynes, Billy Hart and Jimmy Heath's other brother Tootie. Until yesterday, Jimmy Heath was on that list but, sadly, after 93 years, he is no longer a survivor.
Very sadly missed.
Lance.
Obituary.
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