Tonight we celebrate the life and 90th birthday of a true living legend, saxophonist and NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Heath. With music, stories, conversation, and images from Heath's extensive personal archive, this intimate performance in The Appel Room will be an insightful look into the colorful career of a profoundly influential artist. Heath's earliest career highlights include long-term partnerships with icons like Dizzy Gillespie, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis, and after 70 years he remains a major fixture and creative leader in jazz. He has released over 100 albums, and his compositions have been recorded throughout the jazz world by Clark Terry, Cannonball Adderley, Ahmad Jamal, Ray Charles, Miles Davis, and countless others. These days, Heath leads his own Big Band, works with various small groups, and co-leads the highly successful Heath Brothers. Audiences tonight will get a full taste of Heath’s brilliance as he performs original pieces for both his big band and a small group featuring vocalist Roberta Gambarini, called "the best new jazz vocalist to come along in 50 years" by legendary NEA Jazz Master Hank Jones. Rounding out the all-star lineup of musicians are Jon Faddis, Stanley Cowell, Tootie Heath, Rufus Reid, and Melissa Aldana. Jazz radio icon Gary Walker of WBGO will host the proceedings, engaging Heath in dialogue between musical segments.

Jimmy Heath’s autobiography, I Walked with Giants, will be for sale after the performances. A book signing will take place after both performances on Friday, October 21.

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Jimmy Heath