Philadelphia Sax Player Jimmy Heath Dead at 93

Philadelphia jazz saxophone player and composer died in Loganville, Georgia of natural causes. He was surrounded by love and family including his wife of 60 years, Mona Brown.

Growing up in South Philadelphia, he was too small to be an athlete and when it came to being drafted for World War II because he was under the minimum weight. He instead toured with the Nate Towles Band and in 1946 he created his own band to further spread music to the world.

The influential player and bandleader played with artists such as Benny Golson, Miles Davis and John Coltrane. With a career in the music business that lasted over seven decades, it truly sad to hear he is no longer with us. His musical education came from his father, Percy who often played artists such as Louis Armstrong and Marian Anderson. Percy also played the clarinet while his mother Arlethia sang in the church choir.

Heath was always one of my dad's favorite sax players growing up. So as a result we always heard his music throughout the house. RIP to a legend.