Research Catalog

Oral history interview with Jimmy Heath

Title
Oral history interview with Jimmy Heath / Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project ; interview conducted by Larry Ridley.
Author
Heath, Jimmy
Publication
New York : Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 1996.

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Disc 2DVDBy appointment only Sc Visual DVD-1072 Disc 2Schomburg Center - Moving Image & Recorded Sound
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Disc 1DVDBy appointment only Sc Visual DVD-1072 Disc 1Schomburg Center - Moving Image & Recorded Sound

Details

Additional Authors
  • Murray, James Briggs
  • Ridley, Larry
  • Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
  • Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
Description
2 videodiscs (104 min.) : sound, color; 4 3/4 in.
Summary
The oral history interview with Jimmy Heath begins with Heath on tenor sax and Larry Ridley on double bass performing Winter Sleaves, a composition by Heath. A performer, arranger and composer Heath was born October 25, 1926 in Philadelphia. Heath begins by expressing his regard for Louis Armstrong whom he calls the most outstanding creator of the improvisational end of the music; he also tells of his encounter with Armstrong. Heath states his feelings and opinions on jazz education and how he came to be the first-appointed professor of jazz at Queens College in New York City. He aims to teach students to be creators, not imitators; to tell their own stories with their music. Heath's father played clarinet, mother sang in a church and offered each sibling an instrument of his/her choice. In high school, Heath played saxophone in the marching band and studied privately during summers in Philadelphia. After high school, he played in local bands in Philly and toured the south. 1945, Heath played with Nat Toles out of Omaha and first heard Charlie Parker on a jukebox while on tour with Toles. Hearing Parker changed his entire musical direction; Heath then became interested in arranging and composing. His brother Percy returned home from the Air Force and persuaded Heath to return to Philadelphia. 1946, Heath formed his own big band with John Coltrane, Benny Golsen, Johnny Coles, Cal and Bill Massey, Specs Wright, Nelson Boyd and Johnny Lynch. Heath met Philly Joe Jones, was influenced by Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, and explains how the bebop musicians at that time were trying to advance the harmonic language of their music. States how rigorous practice and studying in order to improvise. He compares music to life: if there is dissonance, resolve it into a consonance--a process of tension and release.
Subjects
Genre/Form
  • Nonfiction films.
  • Interviews.
  • Oral histories.
Credits (note)
  • Produced and directed by James Briggs Murray.
Terms of Use (note)
  • Permission required to cite, quote and reproduce; contact repository for information.
Biography (note)
  • Jimmy Heath is tenor saxophone player, arranger,composer and professor of jazz at Queens College, Flushing, N.Y. Born October 25, 1925 in Philadelphia, Heath began playing saxophone in his childhood and played in local Philadelphia bands after high school. Heath's prolific career has included extensive performing, recording, writing (over 150 compositions, extended symphonic works, suites, 50-60 compositions recorded by other artists), and inclusion in the Philadelphia Hall of Fame with his brothers Percy and Tootie (Percy Brothers), with whom he also performs.
Linking Entry (note)
  • Forms part of: Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
Call Number
Sc Visual VRA-190
OCLC
892651685
Author
Heath, Jimmy, interviewee.
Title
Oral history interview with Jimmy Heath / Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project ; interview conducted by Larry Ridley.
Production
New York : Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 1996.
Country of Producing Entity
United States.
Type of Content
two-dimensional moving image
Type of Medium
video
Type of Carrier
videodisc
Digital File Characteristics
video file DVD
Credits
Produced and directed by James Briggs Murray.
Performer
Heath performs "Winter Sleaves" on tenor saxophone with interviewer Larry Ridley on double bass.
Event
Recorded July 17, 1994 Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Terms Of Use
Permission required to cite, quote and reproduce; contact repository for information.
Biography
Jimmy Heath is tenor saxophone player, arranger,composer and professor of jazz at Queens College, Flushing, N.Y. Born October 25, 1925 in Philadelphia, Heath began playing saxophone in his childhood and played in local Philadelphia bands after high school. Heath's prolific career has included extensive performing, recording, writing (over 150 compositions, extended symphonic works, suites, 50-60 compositions recorded by other artists), and inclusion in the Philadelphia Hall of Fame with his brothers Percy and Tootie (Percy Brothers), with whom he also performs.
Linking Entry
Forms part of: Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
Local Note
Archival original: 1 videocassette (MII) in Sc Visual VRC-13.
Connect to:
Request Access to Schomburg Moving Images and Recorded Sound
Added Author
Heath, Jimmy, performer.
Murray, James Briggs, director.
Murray, James Briggs, producer.
Ridley, Larry, interviewer.
Ridley, Larry, performer.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
Research Call Number
Sc Visual DVD-1072
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