Meantal Heath

Jimmy Heath made one of his first appearances on record as a member of Dizzy Gillespie's band, late in 1949. Released on Capitol under the title Dizzy Gillespie And His Orchestra, it featured Heath on alto saxophone alongside his fellow Philadelphian, an up-and-comer named John Coltrane.

Guitarist Greg Skaff assembles a masterful trio with bassist Ron Carter and drummer Albert "Tootie" Health, two NEA Jazz Masters for this rewarding set. Well-known for his work with soul jazz legends and with groups based around the Hammond B-3 organ, this date is surprisingly Skaff's first recording in the past 30+ years leading a guitar trio alone without piano or organ. It's also special set for the legendary reunion of Carter and Heath who worked together with history making results in the early 60s on landmark recordings by pianist Bobby Timmons and by guitarist Wes Montgomery.

Ten years after his most recent set as a leader, Jimmy Heath (heard here on tenor and soprano) finally had another opportunity to lead an album of his own. This date, reissued on CD, finds Heath playing in a largely unchanged style from his earlier days, although some of his freer flights hint slightly at the avant-garde. With strong support given by pianist Tommy Flanagan, guitarist Tony Purrone (an alumnus of the Heath Brothers), bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Al Foster, Heath performs four originals, "Lush Life," and Charlie Parker's "Dewey Square," and "Sophisticated Lady." Three numbers add two French horns, a trombone and a tuba to the ensembles for color; Heath provided the arrangements. A tasteful and swinging effort.

Ted Heath has been rightfully described as the biggest name in British swing music but he was much more than that. For many years the American bands and orchestras ruled the world of swing and dance music and it is somewhat ironic that at a time when big bands were beginning to take second place to the vocalists of the day, Ted should form an orchestra that rated such attention and adulation: from fans everywhere. This CD contains all of Ted's UK chart entries including 'Hot Toddy', 'Dragnet', 'Skin Deep' and 'Swingin' Shepherd Blues' as well as many other instrumental favourites and several of his vocalists' best remembered recordings including 'Allentown Jail', 'You Belong To Me' and 'Blacksmith Blues'.

Swamp Seed is the 1963 CD by Jimmy Heath and credited simply with "Brass". Originally released by the Riverside label, this CD was released by Original Jazz Classics (OJC)/Fantasy Jazz in 1997 and remastered by Joe Tarantino.

There have been pivotal locales which were the nurturing ground for the vanguard in many art forms. Jazz music has had a number of these spots, from New Orleans up to Chicago, then to New York and outward. It would not be hard to argue that the great city of Philadelphia should be recognized with these others as a wellspring of talented musicians.