Jimmy Heath: The Thumper / Really Big! auf CD

* The Jimmy Heath Sextet & Orchestra

Product Information

When Jimmy Heath returned in May 1959 after five years off the scene with personal problems, his skills and awareness of new trends were undiminished, recording as a sideman on a Blue Mitchell date and cutting his first LP as a leader for Riverside: »The Thumper«. Until then, he was recalled as the promising tenor saxophonist who had recorded in the early 1950s with Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Kenny Dorham, and J. J. Johnson, among others, and as the author of several notable originals, including »CTA« and »For Minors Only«, which become repertoire staples for many modern jazzmen. Stylistically flexible as a writer, he is equally adept scoring for big bands, small or medium groups, and on »The Thumper«, he contributed five originals and all the arrangements for a fine sextet featuring himself, Wynton Kelly, Curtis Fuller and Nat Adderley.

On »Really Big!«, his second Riverside album, recorded in June 1960, Heath worked with a 10-piece band to get a big band sound and the loose feeling of a small group, writing six arrangements, with two from Tom McIntosh. A subtly swinging and inventive album resulted, graced by Heath's charging and emotive playing, and the work of trumpeter Clark Terry. Both albums marked Heath's artistic rebirth and triumphant return to a successful career.