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I Walked With Giants: The Autobiography of Jimmy Heath
Composer of more than 100 jazz pieces, three-time Grammy nominee, and performer on more than 125 albums, Jimmy Heath has earned a place of honor in the history of jazz. Over his long career, Heath knew many jazz giants such as Charlie Parker and played with other innovators including John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and especially Dizzy Gillespie. Heath also won their respect and friendship.
In this extraordinary autobiography, the legendary Heath creates a OC dialogueOCO with musicians and family members. As in jazz, where improvisation by one performer prompts another to riff on the same theme, I Walked with Giants juxtaposes HeathOCOs account of his life and career with recollections from jazz giants about life on the road and making music on the worldOCOs stages. His memories of playing with his equally legendary brothers Percy and Albert (aka OC TootieOCO) dovetail with their recollections.
Heath reminisces about a South Philadelphia home filled with music and a close-knit family that hosted musicians performing in the cityOCOs then thriving jazz scene. Milt Jackson recalls, OC I went to their house for dinnerOC JimmyOCOs father put Charlie Parker records on and told everybody that we had to be quiet till dinner because he had Bird onOC . When I [went] to Philly, IOCOd always go to their house.OCOaaa Today Heath performs, composes, and works as a music educator and arranger. By turns funny, poignant, and extremely candid, HeathOCOs story captures the rhythms of a life in jazz.
In this extraordinary autobiography, the legendary Heath creates a OC dialogueOCO with musicians and family members. As in jazz, where improvisation by one performer prompts another to riff on the same theme, I Walked with Giants juxtaposes HeathOCOs account of his life and career with recollections from jazz giants about life on the road and making music on the worldOCOs stages. His memories of playing with his equally legendary brothers Percy and Albert (aka OC TootieOCO) dovetail with their recollections.
Heath reminisces about a South Philadelphia home filled with music and a close-knit family that hosted musicians performing in the cityOCOs then thriving jazz scene. Milt Jackson recalls, OC I went to their house for dinnerOC JimmyOCOs father put Charlie Parker records on and told everybody that we had to be quiet till dinner because he had Bird onOC . When I [went] to Philly, IOCOd always go to their house.OCOaaa Today Heath performs, composes, and works as a music educator and arranger. By turns funny, poignant, and extremely candid, HeathOCOs story captures the rhythms of a life in jazz.
- GenresJazz
344 pages, Hardcover
First published January 28, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 22, 2010
Quite nicely done, it features both Jimmy's voice and contributions by his family, friends, and colleagues who give general appreciations as well as recollections of specific events.
The earlier parts are best. The last section flags noticeably, become a litany of "and then this commissioned work was performed" over and over.
The earlier parts are best. The last section flags noticeably, become a litany of "and then this commissioned work was performed" over and over.
April 29, 2012
Brilliant first-person insight into the golden era of modern jazz. The testimonials by Heath's peers are worth the price of admission.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews