Jimmy Heath

James Edward Heath (October 25, 1926 – January 19, 2020), nicknamed "Little Bird", was an American jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger and big band leader. He was the brother of bassist Percy Heath and drummer Albert Heath. In 1975, the brothers formed the Heath Brothers. He worked with notable musicians such as John Coltrane, Stanley Cowell, Benny Golson, Specs Wright, Cal Massey, Johnny Coles, Ray Bryant, Nelson Boyd, Miles Davis, Kenny Dorham, Gil Evans, Milt Jackson, Nancy Wilson, Gerald Wilson and Art Farmer. Heath was nominated for three Grammy Awards.^[1]

Heath in 1998

Heath was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the father of musician James Mtume.

On January 19, 2020, Heath died of natural causes in Loganville, Georgia. He was 93.^[2]