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Percy Heath

January 01, 1970

For other people named Percy Heath, see Percy Heath (disambiguation).

Percy Heath (April 30, 1923[1] – April 28, 2005)[2] was an American jazz bassist, brother of saxophonist Jimmy Heath and drummer Albert Heath, with whom he formed the Heath Brothers in 1975. Heath played with the Modern Jazz Quartet throughout their long history and also worked with Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Wes Montgomery, Thelonious Monk and Lee Konitz.

Percy Heath
Heath in New York City, 1977
Background information
Born(1923-04-30)April 30, 1923
Wilmington, North Carolina, U.S.
DiedApril 28, 2005(2005-04-28) (aged 81)
Southampton, New York, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Double bass
Years active1940s–2003
Formerly of
Relatives

Biography edit

Heath was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, United States, and spent his childhood in Philadelphia.[1] His father played the clarinet and his mother sang in the church choir. He started playing violin at the age of eight and also sang locally. He was drafted into the Army in 1944, trained with the Tuskegee Airmen, graduating as a 2nd Lieutenant pilot,[3] but saw no combat.[2]

Deciding after the war to go into music, he bought a stand-up bass and enrolled in the Granoff School of Music in Philadelphia.[2] Soon he was playing in the city's jazz clubs with leading artists.[1] In Chicago in 1948, he recorded with his brother on a Milt Jackson album, as members of the Howard McGhee Sextet.[1][4] After moving to New York in the late 1940s, Percy and Jimmy Heath found work with Dizzy Gillespie's groups.[2] Around this time, he was also a member of Joe Morris's band, together with Johnny Griffin.

It transpired that other members of the Gillespie big band, pianist John Lewis, drummer Kenny Clarke, Milt Jackson, and bassist Ray Brown, decided to form a permanent group; they were already becoming known for their interludes during Gillespie band performances that, as AllMusic.com stated, gave the rest of the band much-needed set breaks – that would eventually become known as the Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ).[1] When Brown left the group to join his wife Ella Fitzgerald's band, Heath joined and the group was officially begun in 1952, with Connie Kay replacing Clarke, who left in January 1955. The MJQ played regularly until it disbanded in 1974;[2] it reformed in 1981 and last recorded in 1993.

In 1975, Percy Heath and his brothers formed the Heath Brothers with pianist Stanley Cowell.[1] He would sometimes play the cello instead of the bass in these later performances.

As a sideman, Percy performed on approximately 300 recording dates in a career of over 57 years.[5]

In 1989, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music.[6]

In 2003, at the age of 80, Heath released his first album as a leader through the Daddy Jazz label.[2] The album, entitled A Love Song, garnered rave reviews and served as a fitting coda for his illustrious career. It featured brother Albert Heath on drums, bassist Peter Washington and pianist Jeb Patton.[7]

Percy Heath died, after a second bout with bone cancer, two days short of his 82nd birthday, in Southampton, New York.[2] The month after his death, bassist William Parker recorded the tribute album For Percy Heath.

Heath was an avid striped bass fisherman, and surfcaster, who could be found on many a day, along the surf line of his beloved Montauk Point. He was well respected by the community, and his fellow fishermen. He also relished time away from the stage on his fishing boat, appropriately named "The Fiddler" kept in Montauk as well.On May 27, 2006, a plaque was set into a 5,000lb stone, at Turtle Cove, at Montauk Point, as a memorial. The ceremony was attended by his wife June, and three sons. [8]

Discography edit

As leader edit

  • A Love Song (2003), with Jeb Patton (piano), Peter Washington (bass), Albert "Tootie" Heath (drums)

As a member of the Modern Jazz Quartet edit

As sideman (partial list) edit

With Cannonball Adderley

With Nat Adderley

With Paul Bley

With Clifford Brown

With Ruth Brown

With Kenny Clarke

With Miles Davis

With Paul Desmond

With Art Farmer

With Stan Getz

With Dizzy Gillespie

With Benny Golson

With Dexter Gordon

With Urbie Green

With Albert Heath

With Jimmy Heath

With Elmo Hope

With Milt Jackson

With J. J. Johnson

With Duke Jordan

with Lee Konitz

With John Lewis

With Howard McGhee

With Wes Montgomery

With Sonny Rollins

With Michel Sardaby

  • Night Cap (Sound Hills, 1970)

With Zoot Sims

With Kai Winding

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 196. ISBN 0-85112-580-8.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Percy Heath | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  3. ^ "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Listing". Tuskegee University. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  4. ^ Milt Jackson discographyThe Howard McGhee Sextet with Milt Jackson - Howard McGhee, Jimmy Heath, Milt Jackson, Will Davis, Percy Heath, Joe Harris, (Savoy MG 12026)
  5. ^ "BROTHERLY JAZZ / THE HEATH BROTHERS DVD". Brotherlyjazz.com. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  6. ^ Frank Grace. "Jazz bassist Percy Heath succumbs to cancer". Ocala.com. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  7. ^ "A Love Song - Percy Heath | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  8. ^ "A tribute to Long Island legend Percy Heath". Archived from the original on September 4, 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2012.

External links edit

  • Brotherly Jazz: The Heath Brothers DVD Documentary

January 01, 1970
percy, heath, other, people, named, disambiguation, april, 1923, april, 2005, american, jazz, bassist, brother, saxophonist, jimmy, heath, drummer, albert, heath, with, whom, formed, heath, brothers, 1975, heath, played, with, modern, jazz, quartet, throughout. For other people named Percy Heath see Percy Heath disambiguation Percy Heath April 30 1923 1 April 28 2005 2 was an American jazz bassist brother of saxophonist Jimmy Heath and drummer Albert Heath with whom he formed the Heath Brothers in 1975 Heath played with the Modern Jazz Quartet throughout their long history and also worked with Miles Davis Dizzy Gillespie Charlie Parker Wes Montgomery Thelonious Monk and Lee Konitz Percy HeathHeath in New York City 1977Background informationBorn 1923 04 30 April 30 1923Wilmington North Carolina U S DiedApril 28 2005 2005 04 28 aged 81 Southampton New York U S GenresJazzcool jazzOccupation s MusicianInstrument s Double bassYears active1940s 2003Formerly ofThe Modern Jazz QuartetHeath BrothersRelativesJimmy Heath brother Albert Heath brother Contents 1 Biography 2 Discography 2 1 As leader 2 2 As a member of the Modern Jazz Quartet 2 3 As sideman partial list 3 References 4 External linksBiography editHeath was born in Wilmington North Carolina United States and spent his childhood in Philadelphia 1 His father played the clarinet and his mother sang in the church choir He started playing violin at the age of eight and also sang locally He was drafted into the Army in 1944 trained with the Tuskegee Airmen graduating as a 2nd Lieutenant pilot 3 but saw no combat 2 Deciding after the war to go into music he bought a stand up bass and enrolled in the Granoff School of Music in Philadelphia 2 Soon he was playing in the city s jazz clubs with leading artists 1 In Chicago in 1948 he recorded with his brother on a Milt Jackson album as members of the Howard McGhee Sextet 1 4 After moving to New York in the late 1940s Percy and Jimmy Heath found work with Dizzy Gillespie s groups 2 Around this time he was also a member of Joe Morris s band together with Johnny Griffin It transpired that other members of the Gillespie big band pianist John Lewis drummer Kenny Clarke Milt Jackson and bassist Ray Brown decided to form a permanent group they were already becoming known for their interludes during Gillespie band performances that as AllMusic com stated gave the rest of the band much needed set breaks that would eventually become known as the Modern Jazz Quartet MJQ 1 When Brown left the group to join his wife Ella Fitzgerald s band Heath joined and the group was officially begun in 1952 with Connie Kay replacing Clarke who left in January 1955 The MJQ played regularly until it disbanded in 1974 2 it reformed in 1981 and last recorded in 1993 In 1975 Percy Heath and his brothers formed the Heath Brothers with pianist Stanley Cowell 1 He would sometimes play the cello instead of the bass in these later performances As a sideman Percy performed on approximately 300 recording dates in a career of over 57 years 5 In 1989 he received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music 6 In 2003 at the age of 80 Heath released his first album as a leader through the Daddy Jazz label 2 The album entitled A Love Song garnered rave reviews and served as a fitting coda for his illustrious career It featured brother Albert Heath on drums bassist Peter Washington and pianist Jeb Patton 7 Percy Heath died after a second bout with bone cancer two days short of his 82nd birthday in Southampton New York 2 The month after his death bassist William Parker recorded the tribute album For Percy Heath Heath was an avid striped bass fisherman and surfcaster who could be found on many a day along the surf line of his beloved Montauk Point He was well respected by the community and his fellow fishermen He also relished time away from the stage on his fishing boat appropriately named The Fiddler kept in Montauk as well On May 27 2006 a plaque was set into a 5 000lb stone at Turtle Cove at Montauk Point as a memorial The ceremony was attended by his wife June and three sons 8 Discography editAs leader edit A Love Song 2003 with Jeb Patton piano Peter Washington bass Albert Tootie Heath drums As a member of the Modern Jazz Quartet edit Vendome 1952 Prestige 851 Modern Jazz Quartet ii 1954 5 Prestige 170 including Django 1954 Concorde 1955 Prestige 7005 Fontessa 1956 Atlantic 1231 including Versailles The Modern Jazz Quartet Plays No Sun in Venice Atlantic 1957 The Modern Jazz Quartet Atlantic 1957 Third Stream Music 1957 1959 60 Atlantic 1345 including Sketch for Double String Quartet 1959 The Modern Jazz Quartet and the Oscar Peterson Trio at the Opera House Verve 1957 The Modern Jazz Quartet at Music Inn Volume 2 Atlantic 1958 Music from Odds Against Tomorrow United Artists 1959 Pyramid Atlantic 1960 European Concert Atlantic 1960 1962 Dedicated to Connie Atlantic 1960 1995 The Modern Jazz Quartet amp Orchestra Atlantic 1960 The Comedy 1962 Atlantic 1390 Lonely Woman Atlantic 1962 A Quartet is a Quartet is a Quartet 1963 Atlantic 1420 Collaboration Atlantic 1964 with Laurindo Almeida The Modern Jazz Quartet Plays George Gershwin s Porgy and Bess Atlantic 1964 65 Jazz Dialogue Atlantic 1965 with the All Star Jazz Band Concert in Japan 66 Atlantic Japan 1966 Blues at Carnegie Hall Atlantic 1966 Place Vendome Philips 1966 with The Swingle Singers Under the Jasmin Tree Apple 1968 Space Apple 1969 Plastic Dreams Atlantic 1971 The Only Recorded Performance of Paul Desmond With The Modern Jazz Quartet Finesse Columbia 1971 1981 with Paul Desmond The Legendary Profile Atlantic 1972 In Memoriam Little David 1973 Blues on Bach Atlantic 1973 The Last Concert Atlantic 1974 Reunion at Budokan 1981 Pablo 1981 Together Again Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival 82 Pablo 1982 Echoes Pablo 1984 Topsy This One s for Basie Pablo 1985 Three Windows Atlantic 1987 For Ellington East West 1988 MJQ amp Friends A 40th Anniversary Celebration Atlantic 1992 93 As sideman partial list edit With Cannonball Adderley Know What I Mean with Bill Evans Riverside 1961 With Nat Adderley Work Song Riverside 1960 With Paul Bley Paul Bley EmArcy 1954 With Clifford Brown New Star on the Horizon Blue Note 1953 With Ruth Brown Miss Rhythm Atlantic 1959 With Kenny Clarke Telefunken Blues Savoy 1955 With Miles Davis Bags Groove Prestige 1954 Walkin Prestige 1954 Blue Haze Prestige 1954 Miles Davis Volume 1 Blue Note 1955 Miles Davis Volume 2 Blue Note 1955 Miles Davis and the Modern Jazz Giants Prestige 1958 Miles Davis at Newport 1955 1975 The Bootleg Series Vol 4 Columbia Legacy 2015 With Paul Desmond First Place Again Wartner Bros 1959 Easy Living RCA Victor 1963 65 1966 With Art Farmer Early Art New Jazz 1954 The Art Farmer Septet Prestige 1953 54 When Farmer Met Gryce Prestige 1954 with Gigi Gryce Brass Shout United Artists 1959 With Stan Getz Stan Getz Quartets Prestige 1949 50 1955 With Dizzy Gillespie Dee Gee Days The Savoy Sessions Savoy 1951 52 1976 Dizzy and Strings Norgran 1954 The Bop Session Sonet 1975 with Sonny Stitt John Lewis Hank Jones and Max Roach With Benny Golson Benny Golson and the Philadelphians United Artists 1958 With Dexter Gordon Gotham City Columbia 1980 1981 With Urbie Green Blues and Other Shades of Green ABC Paramount 1955 With Albert Heath Kwanza The First Muse 1973 With Jimmy Heath Really Big Riverside 1960 The Quota Riverside 1961 Triple Threat Riverside 1962 Swamp Seed Riverside 1963 With Elmo Hope Trio and Quintet Blue Note 1953 54 Homecoming Riverside 1961 With Milt Jackson Meet Milt Jackson Savoy 1954 Milt Jackson Quartet Prestige 1955 Ballads amp Blues Atlantic 1956 Plenty Plenty Soul Atlantic 1957 Bags amp Flutes Atlantic 1957 With J J Johnson J Is for Jazz Columbia 1956 With Duke Jordan Duke Jordan Trio and Quintet Signal 1955 with Lee Konitz Lee Konitz at Storyville Storyville 1954 With John Lewis The Modern Jazz Society Presents a Concert of Contemporary Music Norgran 1955 Grand Encounter Pacific Jazz 1956 Afternoon in Paris Atlantic 1957 with Sacha Distel The John Lewis Piano Atlantic 1957 With Howard McGhee Howard McGhee and Milt Jackson Savoy 1948 1955 with Milt Jackson The Return of Howard McGhee Bethlehem 1955 With Wes Montgomery The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery Riverside 1960 With Sonny Rollins Sonny Rollins at Music Inn MetroJazz 1958 With Michel Sardaby Night Cap Sound Hills 1970 With Zoot Sims The Brothers Prestige 1949 With Kai Winding Jay and Kai Columbia 1957 References edit a b c d e f Colin Larkin ed 1992 The Guinness Who s Who of Jazz First ed Guinness Publishing p 196 ISBN 0 85112 580 8 a b c d e f g Percy Heath Biography amp History AllMusic Retrieved July 28 2021 Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Listing Tuskegee University Retrieved January 19 2023 Milt Jackson discographyThe Howard McGhee Sextet with Milt Jackson Howard McGhee Jimmy Heath Milt Jackson Will Davis Percy Heath Joe Harris Savoy MG 12026 BROTHERLY JAZZ THE HEATH BROTHERS DVD Brotherlyjazz com Retrieved July 28 2021 Frank Grace Jazz bassist Percy Heath succumbs to cancer Ocala com Retrieved July 28 2021 A Love Song Percy Heath Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic Retrieved July 28 2021 A tribute to Long Island legend Percy Heath Archived from the original on September 4 2012 Retrieved January 19 2012 External links editNational Endowment for the Arts NEA Jazz Masters biography Brotherly Jazz The Heath Brothers DVD Documentary Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Percy Heath amp oldid 1218447039, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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