The Heath Brothers

The Heath Brothers: Jazz Family

by Jack Bowers
October 1, 1998

There’s no gainsaying this album’s title: Philadelphia’s Heath brothers — Jimmy, Percy and Albert (a.k.a “Tootie”) truly are a Jazz family, perhaps even Jazz royalty, if such exists. On their second release for Concord, the monstrously talented brothers have invited some close friends and long–time colleagues to take part in a first–rate session of straight–ahead Jazz that resonates with charisma and intelligence. Trumpeter Joe Wilder, also from Philly, grew up with the brothers, while guitarist Tony Purrone worked in their ...

The Heath Brothers: As We Were Saying...

by AAJ Staff
October 1, 1997

If you wanted to suck, the Philadelphia jazz scene of the 1940s and '50s wasn't the place to do it. The competition was intensely fierce, and with cats like John Coltrane, Lee Morgan, Jimmy Smith and Benny Golson running around (when they weren't moving to nearby New York), it was generally understood that an improvisor had to give 200%. A product of Philly's rich jazz scene, The Heath Brothers are among the most talented siblings in the history of jazz. ...

The Heath Brothers: As We Were Saying...

by Robert Spencer
September 1, 1997

Oh man. Does this swing from the get-go, or what? And such a deal. Not only do you get the three Heath brothers: Jimmy on tenor and alto, Percy on bass and cello, and Al ("Tootie") drums, but they’re joined by the one and only Slide Hampton on ‘bone, Stanley Cowell on piano and kalimba, Sir Roland Hanna on piano, Jon Faddis on trumpet and flugelhorn, and Mark Elf on guitar. Plus James Mtume, Jimmy’s son, on percussion.

Need I ...

The Heath Brothers: As We Were Saying...

by Douglas Payne
September 1, 1997

This friendly, swinging session is Jimmy, Percy and and Albert “Tootie" Heath’s first together since 1983’s Brothers and Others on Antilles. On their own, these guys have logged memorable time with the greatest names in jazz – from Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and Charlie Parker to Thelonious Monk, Milt Jackson and, in Percy’s case, The Modern Jazz Quartet. Each is a highly sought-after player (or writer, in Jimmy’s case) who’ve survived more than four decades of the jazz life – ...

The Heath Brothers Are Back Where It All Began

Source: All About Jazz
May 5, 2009

"THAT'S MY home, man." Asked what returning to Philadelphia means to him, Jimmy Heath is terse and direct. But it's clear from the finality with which he asserts those words that Heath sees the concept of home as universal and needing little elaboration. The implications of returning to the place that formed you are too numerous to list in a brief conversation, and so deep that his tone of voice is enough to make the experience understood. The same can ...
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Highlights In Jazz 32nd Anniversary featuring The Heath Brothers and Kevin Mahogany Thur., Feb. 10th 8PM

Source: All About Jazz
February 7, 2005

"HIGHLIGHTS IN JAZZ" PRESENTS Thursday, February 10, 2005 8PM Highlights In Jazz 32nd Anniversary featuring The Heath Brothers and Kevin Mahogany February 7, 2005 Jack Kleinsinger's “Highlights in Jazz," New York's longest running jazz series is pleased to present The Heath Brothers and Kevin Mahogany February 10, 2005 at 8 PM. This will be Highlights In Jazz 32nd Anniversary concert. “Highlights in Jazz" Series founder and producer, Jack Kleinsinger, is passionate about presenting jazz and for the past three decades ...
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Highlights In Jazz 32nd Anniversary featuring The Heath Brothers and Kevin Mahogany Thur., Feb. 10th 8PM

Source: All About Jazz
January 17, 2005

January 17, 2005 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Press Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected] “HIGHLIGHTS IN JAZZ" PRESENTS Thursday, February 10, 2005 8PM Highlights In Jazz 32nd Anniversary featuring The Heath Brothers and Kevin Mahogany January 17, 2005 Jack Kleinsinger's “Highlights in Jazz," New York's longest running jazz series is pleased to present The Heath Brothers and Kevin Mahogany February 10, 2005 at 8 PM. This will be Highlights In Jazz 32nd Anniversary concert. “Highlights in Jazz" Series founder and ...
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The Heath Brothers Quartet At Iridium Jazz Club November 19-24

Source: All About Jazz
November 18, 2002

The Heath Brothers Quartet featuring Jimmy, Percy And Tootie Heath

This group is composed of one of jazz's most prolific brothers, Jimmy, Percy and Tootie Heath. Contemplating the family legacy, middle brother Jimmy, 71, the one who writes, arranges and plays saxophones, remarks “we're lucky enough that all of us are still here. Between us, we've got over 150 years of experience and we are the elders of the surviving families of this music." Brother Percy, 75, a bassist of ...
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Eric Alexander AND The Heath Brothers at The Village Vanguard

Source: All About Jazz

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