Albert “Tootie” Heath (1935-2024)

[Mark Stryker]

A reliable musician source confirms the social media posts I’m seeing that Tootie Heath has died at 88. 
 

Tootie was great on record, but you had to hear him live to really feel how alive his cymbal beat was, how high he lifted the bandstand, how deep his swing and groove were, and how many wild chances he took. The videos let you glimpse it. Tootie and Dexter were extra special. From 1967. 
 

 

Edited April 4, 2024 by Mark Stryker

[JSngry]

Helluva ride from start to finish.

RIP

[Gheorghe]

I loved him and I think the Montmatre Collection ,I mean that Dexter Gordon album with that faster version of Like Someone in Love, is my favourite Dexter recording, BECAUSE of Tootie !!! 

Sorry I never heard the Heath Brothers.....

[felser]

RIP, great work!

[soulpope]

Thank you for the music and    R.I.P ....

[Quasimado]

Caught Tootie live once - what a joy!

[Hardbopjazz]

RIP Tootie. 

 

[soulpope]

2 hours ago, Gheorghe said:

I loved him and I think the Montmatre Collection ,I mean that Dexter Gordon album with that faster version of Like Someone in Love, is my favourite Dexter recording, BECAUSE of Tootie !!! 

Sorry I never heard the Heath Brothers.....

Saw them @ Jazzfest Wiesen 1982, but was not overly impressed .... probably already touring (too) long and tired/not spirited 🧐🤔 ....

[sidewinder]

I saw him with McCoy Tyner back in the 80s, excellent drummer. RIP.

Got the feeling I might also have seen him with Jimmy Heath in the 90s but not totally sure.

Edited April 4, 2024 by sidewinder

[Dan Gould]

Sad news but a long life well-lived, and it goes without saying, well-played.

RIP.

[optatio]

Saw him with the Jazztet on a summer's night in Vienne/France 1982 - R.I.P. ...

[soulpope]

The Brotherhood at work .... now reunited again ....

[Kevin Bresnahan]

I saw the Heath Brothers shortly after I started attending Jazz shows and to this day, it stands out in my memories as one of the best. They seemed to have fun up on the bandstand. Tootie had a lot to do with it. RIP to one fine drummer.

[jlhoots]

Tootie was great. Saw him in person often during his years here in Santa Fe. R.I.P.

[ghost of miles]

A name I was always happy to see among an album’s personnel. Pulling Kwanza (The First) off the shelf right now for  a memorial listen. Thanks for letting us know, Mark.

[ghost of miles]

Nate Chinen’s WRTI obit.

[clifford_thornton]

I never saw him live but certainly enjoyed his playing immensely. Spoke to him once for a project that never came to fruition and he was a very kind and interesting interview.

[mikeweil]

R.I.P.

He always played fine and swung, and I always loved it.

[Bill Nelson]

First dug Tootie on Herbie Hancock's 'Prisoner' (April, '69) and 'Fat Albert Rotunda' (May-June, '69).

On both albums, Tootie showed he could play 'outside' and straight down the middle.

(After taking more than a year off, 'Mwandishi' Herbie went with Billy Hart.)   

[sidewinder]

Tootie's playing on those two Herbie albums sprung to mind for me too - outstanding and a highlight in both cases.

[soulpope]

His playing on  Kenny Dorham's "Trompeta Toccata" with Tommy Flanagan and Richard Davis is outstanding ....

[Pim]

He was a great drummer. Albert, Percy and Jimmy what a musical family. May he rest in peace. 

[Milestones]

I think I've overlooked Tootie a bit, but he was a fine drummer.  

It's sad to know that the last in a supremely gifted family is gone.

 

 

 

[Brad]

By coincidence I listened to him yesterday on the J.J. Johnson Mosaic. RIP. 

[mr jazz]

Saw him at the much missed Bohemian Caverns in DC with his brother, Jimmy and Cyrus Chestnut; chatted with him briefly-very nice man. RIP.