Al "Tootie" Heath
b. 31 May 1935, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. One of a highly talented jazz family, in the late '50s drummer Heath moved to New York where his older brothers, Percyand Jimmy, had already established their reputations. He played in a band led by J.J. Johnsonand recorded with many important musicians, including John Coltrane. In the mid-60s he became resident in Scandinavia, working with Dexter Gordon and Kenny Drew(who was also resident there). Back in the USA in 1968 he played with Billy Taylor and in 1975 formed the Heath Brothers band with Percy and Jimmy. A few years later he dropped out of music but returned in the early '80s, playing with the Jazztet, Tal Farlow and others and also leading his own groups. A subtle player with an exceptional ability as a sensitive accompanist, Heath remains one of the more interesting if lesser-known bebop drummers.