Biography
Jimmy Heath, born James Edward Heath on October 25, 1926, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, began his musical journey as a teenager, taking lessons and playing alto saxophone in his high school marching band and local groups like the Melody Barons. He toured with the Calvin Todd Band in 1944 and Nat Towles' band from 1945-1946, then formed his own big band in Philadelphia featuring future stars John Coltrane, Benny Golson, and Specs Wright, which became a fixture on the local jazz scene until 1949. Nicknamed 'Little Bird' for his stylistic debt to Charlie Parker, Heath joined Dizzy Gillespie's big band in 1949-1950, switched to tenor saxophone in the early 1950s, and played with ensembles like the Symphony Sid All-Stars alongside Miles Davis and his brother Percy Heath.[1][2][3]
Heath's career faced a setback in the late 1950s due to legal troubles related to drug addiction, but after his release from prison in 1959, he rebuilt rapidly, recording his debut album as a leader and collaborating frequently with Milt Jackson and Art Farmer through the 1960s. A prolific composer and arranger, he penned over 125 works, including jazz standards like 'Gingerbread Boy' and 'C.T.A.,' recorded by Miles Davis, Cannonball Adderley, and others. In 1975, he formed the Heath Brothers with brothers Percy (bass) and Albert 'Tootie' Heath (drums) and pianist Stanley Cowell, earning a Grammy nomination for their 1975 album Live at the Public Theater; the band continued with reunions into the 2000s. Heath also led big bands, released albums like Little Man Big Band (produced by Bill Cosby), and composed larger works such as the symphony Three Ears and Afro-American Suite of Evolution.[1][2][3][4]
Recognized as a 2003 NEA Jazz Master, Heath was a dedicated educator at institutions like Jazzmobile, City College of New York, and Queens College until 1998, where a chair was endowed in his name, and received honorary degrees from Juilliard and others. His 2010 autobiography, I Walked with Giants, won the Jazz Journalists Association's Best Book of the Year. Active into his 90s with recordings like Togetherness (2011), Heath passed away on January 19, 2020, leaving a legacy as a versatile hard bop and bebop stylist, composer, and big band leader who bridged bebop origins with modern jazz.[1][2][3]
Fun Facts
- Earned the nickname 'Little Bird' as a nod to his idol Charlie 'Yardbird' Parker due to similar alto saxophone style.[2]
- Faced heroin-related legal troubles in the 1950s, serving prison time, but rebuilt his career immediately upon release in 1959, staying clean thereafter.[5][6]
- His composition 'Gingerbread Boy' became a jazz standard, famously recorded by Miles Davis' quintet.[3][4]
- Led a big band album Little Man Big Band produced by Bill Cosby, and his 2010 autobiography I Walked with Giants was voted Best Book of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association.[1]
Associated Acts
- Milt Jackson & His Gold Medal Winners
- The Heath Brothers
- The Jimmy Heath Orchestra - eponymous, original
- Jimmy Heath Big Band - eponymous, original, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone
- Clark Terry’s Big‐B‐A‐D‐Band - tenor saxophone
- The Riverside Jazz Stars
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Charlie Parker - Primary stylistic influence, earning nickname 'Little Bird' (Early alto saxophone style) [1940s]
- Dizzy Gillespie - Mentor and bandleader who hired Heath early in his career (Gillespie's big band recordings and tours) [1949-1950]
Key Collaborators
- John Coltrane - Band member in Heath's early big band (Heath's Philadelphia big band) [1946-1949]
- Benny Golson - Band member in Heath's early big band (Heath's Philadelphia big band) [1946-1949]
- Percy Heath - Brother and frequent bandmate in Heath Brothers (Heath Brothers albums like Live at the Public Theater (1975), Endurance (2010)) [1975-2004]
- Albert 'Tootie' Heath - Brother and drummer in Heath Brothers (Heath Brothers albums) [1975-1980s]
- Milt Jackson - Frequent collaborator on recordings (1960s albums as leader and sideman) [1960s]
- Art Farmer - Regular group partner (1965-1967 group recordings) [1960s]
- Miles Davis - Sideman in Davis groups and recorder of Heath's compositions (Symphony Sid All-Stars (1952), brief tenure (1959), Gingerbread Boy) [1952, 1959]
Artists Influenced
- John Coltrane - Early bandmate and neighbor influenced by shared Philadelphia scene (Coltrane's early development) [1940s]
- Benny Golson - Early bandmate shaped by Philadelphia jazz scene (Golson's early career) [1940s]
Connection Network
External Links
Tags: #bebop, #hard-bop, #jazz
References
Heard on WWOZ
Jimmy Heath has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 | 17:56 | Geminifrom Turn Up The Heath- The Jimmy Hea | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Keith Hill |