PERCY HEATH R.I.P.

[dolphyo]

famous jazz bassit Percy Heath died this week on thursday in New York City of cancer at age 82. the eldest of the Heath brothers the others being saxophonist Jimmy and drummer Al"Tootie"Heath were together off and on from there Philadelpha roots on to worldwide fame.the brothers were in the very middle of the birth of bebop. Percy was original bassit for Dizzy Gillespie's first small groups and much later along with Dizzy's pianist and Bach scholar John Lewis formed the classic Moedern jazz quartet whose subtle complexitys was very advanced early on. ironically Percy did record his very first album until a year ago and was recieved with accolades. :line6:

[Gandalfe]

I wondered who'd post this first.
http://www.bassinside.com/2004/december/percysmile.jpg
Just last year he released another CD: Percy Heath was born on April 30th, 1923, and grew up in Philadelphia. After becoming a major name in Bebop in the 1940's, he co-founded the adventurous cool jazz/classical music outfit Modern Jazz Quartet in 1952 with John Lewis, Milt Jackson, and Kenny Clarke. For the past 50+ years, Mr. Heath's bass playing has been in high demand, and he's showing no sign of slowing! A Love Song, (2004) his newest, is a brilliant and mature offering.

[Jon B. Bop]

IMHO one of the greatest bassists ever. His recordings with the MJQ are what inspired me to explore the world of jazz, a gift I can never repay.

Very sad to see him go.

[Bodhi]

I was living in Spain in 1987. I went up to Seville to see a friend and we went to a Jazz concert, beautiful outdoor venue. I didn't even know who was playing let alone I had just missed Miles Davis the day before. Without knowning or caring as I approched the place the music was playing and yes, it was the MJQ on stage. My friend saw the Olympic runner Carl Lewis heading back stage after the show and was very persistant about getting us backstage also. We did......no Carl Lewis to be found but we both ended up in the trailer with the MJQ (just us and them) watching a video they were reviewing of that nights performance. I met everyone of them in the group. It was an honor to meet Percy.

[shmuelyosef]

Got to meet him and spend a little time the last few years at Stanford Jazz Camp... a couple years all three of the Heath brothers were there; several impromptu jams and HB concert were clearly the highlights...an amazing amount of history there!!