- Member of: Heath Brothers
- Genre: Jazz
- Influenced by: Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt
- Followed By: Roy Nathanson, T.K. Blue
- Similar Artists: George Coleman, Sonny Criss, Von Freeman, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Dexter Gordon, Johnny Griffin, Billy Harper, Joe Henderson, Bill Holman, Stan Kenton, Hank Mobley, Gerry Mulligan, Buddy Rich, Sonny Rollins, Maria Schneider, John Coltrane, Eddie Davis, William Russo
The middle of the three Heath Brothers, Jimmy Heath has a distinctive sound on tenor, is a fluid player on soprano and flute, and a very talented arranger/composer whose originals include "C.T.A." and "Gingerbread Boy." He was originally an altoist, playing with Howard McGhee during 1947-1948 and the Dizzy Gillespie big band (1949-1950). Called "Little Bird" because of the similarity in his playing to Charlie Parker, Heath switched to tenor in the early '50s. Although out of action for a few years due to "personal problems," Heath wrote for Chet Baker and Art Blakey during 1956-1957. Back in action in 1959, he worked with Miles Davis briefly that year, in addition to Kenny Dorham and Gil Evans, and started a string of impressive recordings for Riverside. In the 1960s, Heath frequently teamed up with Milt Jackson and Art Farmer, and he also worked as an educator and a freelance arranger. During 1975-1982, Jimmy Heath teamed up with brothers Percy and Tootie in the Heath Brothers, and since then has remained active as a saxophonist and writer. In addition to his earlier Riverside dates, Jimmy Heath has recorded as a leader for Cobblestone, Muse, Xanadu, Landmark, and Verve. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide