I Walked With Giants

The Autobiography of Jimmy Heath

Jimmy Heath, Joseph McLaren

• Publisher: Temple University Press
• Year: 2010
• ISBN:
  9781439902004
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Jazz Music

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 "dialogue" 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 Heath's account of his life and career with recollections from jazz giants about life on the road and making music on the world's stages. His memories of playing with his equally legendary brothers Percy and Albert (aka "Tootie") 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 city's then thriving jazz scene. Milt Jackson recalls, "I went to their house for dinner…Jimmy's father put Charlie Parker records on and told everybody that we had to be quiet till dinner because he had Bird on…. When I [went] to Philly, I'd always go to their house."    Today Heath performs, composes, and works as a music educator and arranger. By turns funny, poignant, and extremely candid, Heath's story captures the rhythms of a life in jazz.

Table of contents

• Contents
• Foreword: In the Basement, by Bill Cosby
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction, by Wynton Marsalis
• Part One: First Chorus (1926–1949)
• Part Two: Second Chorus (1949–1969)
• Part Three: Third Chorus (1969–1986)
• Part Four: Fourth Chorus (1986–)
• Appendixes
• Index