Jimmy Heath: The Professor

A gentle waltz from the 1985 session, "New Picture" evokes an impression of the springtime and its new beginnings. The lightness of Martino’s guitar and the combined timbres of trombone & tenor saxophone paint the scenery all green and bright. Kenny Dorham’s "No End" (from the 1974 session) features Pat Martino’s blazing guitar – which was in top form – for the Latinized ballad arrangement with soprano saxophone lead. On "Song for Ben Webster" the leader pays tribute with a big fat warm tenor saxophone sound and minimum accompaniment. Tony Purrone and Tom Williams join Heath on "Forever Sonny" with up-tempo unison passages and stirring solo affairs. The tune is a different form of tribute, offering crisp rhythmic solo spots from piano, tenor, trumpet, and guitar. Heath’s soprano saxophone and Purrone’s guitar deliver Bird’s lines in unison on "Dewey Square." The tune provides experienced solo work from Flanagan and Heath, who switches to tenor for that portion. "Sophisticated Lady" adds a brass choir to Heath’s soprano saxophone lead. The Duke Ellington tune is a reminder that "professors" from around the world will continue to "teach" this music we call jazz; it’s the only way.