''Little Bird'' Jimmy Heath has died

Saxophonist and composer Jimmy Heath has died. He was 93. ''Little Bird'' played with Miles and with Coltrane and Benny Golson. After kicking heroin addiction and going to gaol he concentrated on arranging and composing a good deal and later …

Published: 20 Jan 2020. Updated: 3 years.

Saxophonist and composer Jimmy Heath has died. He was 93. ''Little Bird'' played with Miles and with Coltrane and Benny Golson.

After kicking heroin addiction and going to gaol he concentrated on arranging and composing a good deal and later teamed up with his famous jazz player brothers bassist Percy Heath (of the Modern Jazz Quartet) and drummer Tootie under the moniker of the Heath Brothers. America's highest award for jazz the NEA Jazz Mastership came his way in 2003. His composition 'CTA' is a popular jazz standard and Miles Davis covered Heath's 'Gingerbread Boy' to formidable effect.

Full obituary: in The New York Times

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The feelgood reincarnation of Warren Wolf

A wonderfully warm tribute to his late mother here from vibes master Warren Wolf, jazz fans the world over know from the Christian McBride band here on a record he steers so positively along his own compositional lines. Such bright voicings and the …

Published: 19 Jan 2020. Updated: 4 years.

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A wonderfully warm tribute to his late mother here from vibes master Warren Wolf, jazz fans the world over know from the Christian McBride band here on a record he steers so positively along his own compositional lines.

Such bright voicings and the way the ensemble just flies is remarkable, the 40-year-old Baltimore player tapping 1990s R&B and soul along the way for flavour. Warren on the album is with drummer Carroll “CV” Dashiell III, keyboardist Brett Williams from Pittsburgh known for his work with Marcus Miller, bassist Richie Goods, guitarist Mark Whitfield guesting on a couple of tracks, singers Imani-Grace Cooper and Marcellus “Bassman” Shepard.

Wolf says in publicity for the album: ''“This is just an album about love and feel-good music. At this point in my career, I just wanted to show that I can be versatile in many different styles. I plan to continue to grow and play all the wonderful music that has shaped me as a musician today.” Look for the album from which 'For Ma' is taken, Reincarnation, to be released by Mack Avenue, on 28 February.