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Jimmy Heath: Love Letter

By Thomas Fletcher
July 10, 2020
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Often nicknamed "Little Bird,"

Jimmy Heath

saxophone, tenor
1926 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Heath began on the alto saxophone acquiring this informal title by dedicating his studies to

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Parker and his wee stature. Although not a familiar name to many outside of the devoted jazz community, Heath would go on to pursue a remarkable 76-year career sadly passing away in January, 2020. A fabled musician to many tenor players, Heath presents us with his final testament, a collection of formative ballads.

Enhancing the already prolific status that Love Letter features, guest appearances are warmly welcomed that include trumpeter

Wynton Marsalis

trumpet
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Wynton Marsalis with vocalists

Gregory Porter

vocals
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Gregory Porter and

Cecile McLorin Salvant

vocals
b.1989

" data-original-title="" title="">Cecile McLorin Salvant. The robust rhythm section that accompany Heath are: NEA Jazz Master

Kenny Barron

piano
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Barron on piano,

Russell Malone

guitar
1963 - 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">Russell Malone on guitar, vibraphone veteran

Monte Croft

vibraphone

" data-original-title="" title="">Monte Croft, bassist

David Wong

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">David Wong and longstanding jazz drummer

Lewis Nash

drums
b.1958

" data-original-title="" title="">Lewis Nash.

Whilst serving his four-and-a-half-year internment, Heath would manage the prison big band and also write for them. It was only the day after his discharge in 1959 when he met his lover, Mona Brown, a marriage which would span sixty years. Due to his parole restrictions, Heath was restricted to staying in Philadelphia which precluded him from embarking on an opportunity to succeed

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane in

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis' group. After being prompted by

Cannonball Adderley

saxophone
1928 - 1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Cannonball Adderley and

Philly Joe Jones

drums
1923 - 1985

" data-original-title="" title="">Philly Joe Jones, he signed with Riverside Records where he served as an arranger and releasing notable tracks such as "Gemini" and "Gingerbread Boy."

The opener, written by Heath more than twenty-five years ago, is named "Ballad from Upper Neighbors Suite" and makes use of brilliant bassist

David Wong

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">David Wong with an arco introduction. "Left Alone" is written by

Mal Waldron

piano
1925 - 2002

" data-original-title="" title="">Mal Waldron and words originally by

Billie Holiday

vocals
1915 - 1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Billie Holiday, although she never recorded it. Salvant gives an intrinsic display of quality showing true justice to Holliday's lyricism. "Inside Your Heart" demonstrates Heath's idiomatic ability on soprano saxophone while "La Mesha" is proudly driven by

Wynton Marsalis

trumpet
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Wynton Marsalis in honour of

Kenny Dorham

trumpet
1924 - 1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Dorham who wrote the tune.

"Don't Misunderstand" falls to

Gregory Porter

vocals
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Gregory Porter with "Con Alma" following, a composition by

Dizzy Gillespie

trumpet
1917 - 1993

" data-original-title="" title="">Dizzy Gillespie who was both a mentor and friend to Heath. The penultimate track on Love Letter is the third tune composed by Heath, "Passion or Fashion." It was originally composed to guide Lyndon B Johnson's civil rights address, "The American Promise." The final track named "Don't Explain" was a suggestion from Barron, Heath allowed it on the album commenting that he only permitted tunes that he knew the lyrics to.

Jimmy Heath brings forward his final chapter where we experience melodic artistry. In 2001, Benny Golson said Heath "moved through chords, not scientifically, but melodically. He plays ideas. It's like a conversation, but musical, not linguistic. He has a story to tell, and it's right in tune with those chords."

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Track Listing

Ballad From Upper Neighbor��s Suite; Left Alone; Inside Your Heart; Fashion Or Passion; Con Alma; Don��t Misunderstand; La Mesha; Don��t Explain.

Personnel

Jimmy Heath

saxophone, tenor

Kenny Barron

piano

Russell Malone

guitar

Monte Croft

vibraphone

David Wong

bass

Lewis Nash

drums

Additional Instrumentation

Gregory Porter: vocals (6); C��cile McLorin Salvant: vocals (8); Wynton Marsalis: trumpet (8).

Album information

Title: Love Letter | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Verve Music Group

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