This year’s honoree is drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath. He is the first drummer to be honored by Giants of Jazz. Heath is the youngest of the legendary Heath Brothers and like his siblings, he has been a major force to the music we call Jazz. During his career, Heath 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, John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, Cedar Walton, and his brothers, Percy and Jimmy Heath.
Heath debuted as drummer in 1957 with John Coltrane. He’s appeared on many recordings for Riverside Records and toured Europe with Kenny Drew and Dexter Gordon. Heath worked with Yusef Lateef from 1970 to 1974. In 1975, he joined his brothers and created the sound of the Heath Brothers.
During this year’s Giants of Jazz, performances by guest artists include, but are not limited to, Don Braden, Cyrus Chestnut, Billy Hart, Louis Hayes, Bob Cranshaw, Claudio Roditti, Yotam, Michael Dease, Sharel Cassity, Randy Weston, Roy Hargrove and Winard Harper.
A Giants of Jazz highlight each year is a presentation of the South Orange Jazz Masters Award to a distinguished artist whose creativity has had a major impact on jazz performance and/or education. Previous recipients include musicians Jimmy Heath, James Moody, Clark Terry, Frank Wess, Benny Powell, Dr. Billy Taylor, Frank Foster and Marian McPartland, and Slide Hampton.
Beginning 14 years ago, bassist, producer, and South Orange resident John Lee started organizing the Giants of Jazz Concert each autumn. Lee has played with the top names in jazz, is executive director of the Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars, and serves as program director for "Dizzy: The Man and His Music."
Tickets for Giants of Jazz cost $50. To purchase tickets, visit the website, www.SOPACnow.org, or call 973-313-2787.