Giants of Jazz 14 honoring Albert Tootie Heath

On October 1, 2011 Albert "Tootie" Heath will be honored at the 14th annual Giants of Jazz concert in South Orange, N.J.  Tootie is the first drummer to be honored by Giants of Jazz. This one-night concert is hailed by the New York Times as “New Jersey’s premier jazz festival”. The Newark Star Ledger called it “The greatest one day jazz event in New Jersey, and probably the entire country”. 

 About Tootie Heath....

During his career Tootie has worked and recorded with Wes Montgomery, JJ Johnson, Tommy Flanagan, Herbie Hancock, Barry Harris, The Modern Jazz Quartet, Monk, Joe Pass, Billy Taylor, McCoy Tyner as well as his brothers, Percy and Jimmy Heath, and many, many more.

During the late 1950's nd early 60's he worked with JJ Johnson, Cedar Walton and Bobby Timmons.  Heath appears on many recordings for Riverside Records and toured Europe with Kenny Drew,and Dexter Gordon.

During the late '60's Tootie worked with Herbie Hancock and with Yusef Lateef during from 1970 to 1974.  In 1975 Tootie joined his brothers and created the sound of the Heath Brothers. 

Tootie's musicianship is legendary.  He has continued the bebop tradition and while staying with current concepts.