By Tammy Scileppi
He jammed with Queens’ music royalty back in the 1960s, and now NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Heath returns to Flushing Town Hall for a tribute to his hero and mentor, Dizzy Gillespie, with the Queens Jazz Orchestra titled “Dizzy Revisited.”
Along with more than 100 albums featuring his versatile style of performing with some of the greatest jazz musicians of all time, including Miles Davis, Wynton Marsalis and Gillespie, Heath has also composed more than 100 original works.
Many have become jazz standards that were recorded by other artists, like Cannonball Adderley, Ray Charles and, of course, Gillespie.
Once a Queens resident, Gillespie eventually moved to Englewood, N. J., where he died in January 1993 at the age of 75. He is buried in Flushing Cemetery.
In a recent phone interview from Heath’s Corona home, the saxophonist, conductor and composer/arranger talked about his storied career and some of the jazz greats he has played with.
Heath, who turns 90 in October, vividly recalled many jam sessions over at his neighbor Louis Armstrong’s home.
Gillespie, who lived just around the corner in a brick home on 37th Avenue, would often just drop by Heath’s house to chat.
“It’s always a pleasure to play the music of my mentor, Mr. Dizzy Gillespie. I’ll be playing from a repertoire of Dizzy’s music and some tunes I’ve written,” Heath said.
The orchestra will perform some of Heath’s own big band favorites that he had written for Gillespie, including “Without You, No Me” and “Basic Birks.”
“Playing with a big band is very powerful and I’ve got some really strong players,” said Heath.
For Flushing Town Hall Executive and Artistic Director Ellen Kodadek, it makes sense that Heath is playing with the Queens Jazz Orchestra, which he helped launch in 2008.
“He brings an unparalleled legacy of jazz brilliance and musicianship,” Kodadek said. “Jimmy as orchestra leader is cooking on that stage and is a joy to watch, and the audience is always blown away. This year’s concert is a tribute to legendary Dizzy Gillespie, so what could be better?”
Known for his trademark bent trumpet, Gillespie once said, “I always try to teach by example and not force my ideas on a young musician. One of the reasons we’re here is to be a part of this process of exchange.”
Apropos to this sentiment, his former student Heath said back in 1946-47 he indeed learned a lot from the master.
“Anybody who was around him, they learned because he was a performer and a teacher. He was always helping you along in your career,” Heath said.
Gillespie offered plenty of advice to his student and encouraged him to expand his skill set. He once told Heath if the younger man was interested in composing music, he had to learn to play the piano.
“And he was right about that,” said Heath. “I’ve been on the piano ever since besides my saxophone-playing.”
The still-energetic musician hasn’t slowed down much over the years.
Last weekend, Heath played in Arizona and before that North Carolina.
“I played at a college in Tucson with some high school kids, with a big band,” he said. “It was very interesting. They just got back from Lincoln Center.”
And he has two Manhattan performances coming up, first at Village Vanguard on 7th Avenue from July 12-16, and then in Central Park, in August.
Looking back, Heath said there were many memorable experiences during his career. One that really stood out was when he and Gillespie played Harlem’s Apollo Theater in 1949. Another, was their famous gig at the Blue Note in Manhattan before the jazz legend passed away.
So, what was Dizzy like?
“He was a funny guy, he told funny stories. His actions on stage, his dialogue…,” Heath said.
He also mentioned a tribute performance in 1987 at Armstrong’s home on 107th Street in Corona, in which he played with Gillespie and other musicians out in the garden. When he was a professor at Queens College, Heath said the president asked him to get several musicians together to honor Armstrong on the day his home became a national landmark.
“It was all the musicians who loved him and idolized him, who appreciated what he done,” Heath said.
If you Go
“Dizzy Revisited”
When: Friday, June 10, starting at 8 pm
Where: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing
Cost: $42/adults, $32/members, $20/students
Contact: (718) 463-7700
Website: www.flush
