Jimmy Heath

Photo Credit: John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com © CC BY-SA 2.0

James Edward Heath (1926–2020) was a saxophonist, composer, and educator. An important figure in 20th century American music, Heath played a direct role in the personal development of John Coltrane, who had played in his first band. Heath played and recorded with such other jazz legends as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and his brothers Albert and Percy (as the acclaimed Heath Brothers). In 1989, as Queens College expanded its music program beyond Western-Classical forms, Heath was hired as the school’s first professor of Jazz Studies. Heath helped establish and served as chair of the QC Jazz Studies graduate program, and worked to expand the department, recruiting key faculty members, including Donald Byrd and Antonio Hart. Heath led the university’s jazz ensemble, as well as the Queens Jazz Orchestra until he retired in 1998.

ITEMS ON DISPLAY IN THE MUSIC LIBRARY:

New picture
Heath, Jimmy.; Flanagan, Tommy.; Purrone, Tony.; Reid, Rufus.; Foster, Al.
LP 9072

Peer pleasure
Heath, Jimmy.; Willis, Larry.; Purrone, Tony.; James, Stafford.; Tana, Akira. 
LP 9086

Turn up the Heath
Jimmy Heath Big Band, performer
Circulating CD 7836

ADDITIONAL LIBRARY RESOURCES:

NON-LIBRARY RESOURCES:

• https://jimmyheath.com
• https://www.discogs.com/artist/264872-Jimmy-Heath
• https://nagelheyer.bandcamp.com/album/what-youre-waiting-for
• https://srjo.bandcamp.com/album/seattle-repertory-jazz-orchestra-with-jimmy-heath-the-endless-search
• https://templeuniversityjazzband.bandcamp.com/album/without-you-no-me-honoring-the-legacy-of-jimmy-heath