Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Heath Brothers: Endurance
Heath Brothers: Endurance
ByThe three have worked together as a group for over twenty years, making seven recordings together, with pianist Jeb Patton the fourth cog in recent years.
When Percy died in 2005, the brothers decided to carry on, bringing in bassist David Wong. Endurance is the first without Percy, and endurance is certainly the keyword in describing the Heath Brothers.
Seven of the nine numbers here are originals by Jimmy. Each player gets many opportunities to shine. Beginning with "Changes," Jimmy's straight-ahead assertive tenor takes charge. Next, on "Wall to Wall," Tootie's drums and Patton's piano combine for some funky rhythmic fun at the onset, followed by Jimmy's rocking tenor solo. Wong's bass stars on "You and Me," sharing the stage with Tootie's spiffy brush work.
Jimmy gets serious with the spiritual "Ballad for Leadership Suite," an impressive segment from his commission for the inauguration of the president of Howard University. He dedicates "Two Tees" to Tootie, who gets plenty of room to stretch in his drum solo, with Patton coming in for a romping turn on piano.
Jimmy composed "From a Lonely Bass" as a memoriam to the Late Percy. Wong's bowed bass provides emotional warmth, assisted by Jimmy's elegiac soprano sax.
Perhaps most effective is the group's lush rendering of Vernon Duke's 1934 standard, "Autumn in New York." Here, Jimmy shows his debt to Coleman Hawkins with his breathy tenor probing all aspects of the tune.
Track Listing
Changes; Wall to Wall; Ballad from Leadership Suite; Dusk in the City; Two Tees; Autumn in New York; From a Lonely Bass; The Rio Dawn.
Personnel
Heath Brothers
band / ensemble / orchestraJimmy Heath: tenor, soprano sax; Jeb Patton: piano; David Wong: bass; Albert "Tootie" Heath: drums; Claudio Roditi: shaker (9).
Album information
Title: Endurance | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Jazz Legacy Productions
< Previous
Indianapolis Jazz Festival: Day 2, Se...
Next >
The Chick Corea Songbook
Comments
About Heath Brothers
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
Related Articles | Concerts | Albums | Photos | Similar To