May 31, 1935 – April 3, 2024

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Drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath passed away on April 3, 2024 at the age of 88.

He was born in Philadelphia on May 31, 1935, the younger brother of bassist Percy Heath and saxophonist-arranger-composer Jimmy Heath.

Growing up in a very musical family, Heath gained important experience playing locally and with his brothers.

When he came to New York in 1957, his recording debut was with John Coltrane.

Heath was in great demand throughout his career, and among the more than 250 jazz sessions that he appeared on were albums led by Jimmy Heath, Nina Simone (including her hit version of “I Loves You Porgy”), J.J. Johnson, Cannonball Adderley, Johnny Griffin, Wes Montgomery, the Jazztet, Art Farmer, Benny Golson, Clifford Jordan, Bobby Timmons, Milt Jackson, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Dexter Gordon, Ben Webster, Herbie Hancock, Yusef Lateef, Joe Pass, Roberta Gambarini, and even Anthony Braxton and Roscoe Mitchell.

Tootie teamed up with his siblings as the Heath Brothers starting in the mid-1970s, after Connie Kay’s passing he was the last drummer with the Modern Jazz Quartet, and he led five albums of his own.

A very reliable and swinging drummer who was quite versatile, Albert “Tootie” Heath was a strong asset in every group in which he appeared.

Here is Albert “Tootie” Heath being showcased in 2023 with pianist Emmet Cohen and bassist Russell Hall on a rather unusual version of “A Night In Tunisia.”

-Scott Yanow

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