Albert Heath

Born the younger sibling of Percy and Jimmy Heath, Albert “Tootie” Heath established himself early as a leading hard-bop drummer who remained receptive to jazz’s more commercial directions. He arrived in New York in 1957 and made his recording debut alongside John Coltrane. Between 1958 and 1960 Heath held the drum chair in J.J. Johnson’s ensemble, then moved to the Jazztet for the following year; in 1961 he also accompanied the trios of Cedar Walton and Bobby Timmons while contributing to numerous Riverside sessions as a sideman. From 1965 to 1968 he resided in Europe, where he worked regularly with Kenny Drew and Dexter Gordon and supported visiting American artists. Upon his return to the United States he became a steady member of Herbie Hancock’s sextet in 1968–1969 and stayed with Yusef Lateef from 1970 through 1974. After one more year abroad he rejoined his siblings in the Heath Brothers from 1975 to 1978, after which he made his home in Los Angeles and maintained an active freelance career that included dates with the Riverside Reunion Band.