If You Could See Me Now – 2004
Jimmy Heath
The veteran tenor is showcased on a Tadd Dameron classic
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Jimmy Heath (1926-2020) had a long and busy career as a tenor-saxophonist, arranger, composer, and occasional flutist and soprano-saxophonist.
Tadd Dameron (1917-65) was one of the most skilled and significant composers to emerge from the classic bebop era, writing quite a few bop standards including “Good Bait,” “Hot House,” and the ballad “If You Could See Me Now.”
Heath was on a Milt Jackson big band album in 1962 that featured a few Dameron arrangements, including “If You Could See Me Now.”
In 2004, pianist Eric Gould produced a concert of Tadd Dameron’s music, arranging the music for an octet that also included trumpeter Derrick Gardner, trombonist Robin Eubanks, altoist Howie Smith, Don Braden on tenor, baritonist George Shernit, bassist Glenn Holmes and drummer Yoron Israel.
Jimmy Heath was a special guest at the concert and is showcased on a medium-tempo version of “If You Could See Me Now” that has a light Latin feel to it; Heath is heard in prime form and Gould also makes a fine statement.
-Scott Yanow
Ella Fitzgerald