Heath, Jimmy
Picture Of Heath
Rare & Collectible Vinyl Records

1975 Original. Also Features Carl Perkins, Cutis Counce And Laurance Marable. "Picture of Heath," released in 1975 on Xanadu Records, captures the tenor saxophonist Jimmy Heath at a mature and confident phase of his career. By this point, Heath had developed a reputation as both a formidable instrumentalist and a sophisticated composer, having already worked with jazz luminaries like Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. The album features a sextet including Barry Harris on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums, with additional contributions from Curtis Fuller on trombone and Pat Martino on guitar. This lineup brings together some of the most respected post-bop musicians of the era, resulting in a session marked by tight arrangements and spirited improvisation.

Historically, "Picture of Heath" stands out for its strong focus on originals, with the title track being a nod to the earlier "Chet Baker & Art Pepper Playboys" album, which featured a composition by Heath also called "Picture of Heath." On this 1975 record, Heath revisits his own compositional voice, reaffirming his importance as a writer in the jazz idiom. The album is also notable as part of Don Schlitten's Xanadu label productions, which sought to bring seasoned jazz artists back into the recording studio during a period when jazz was struggling for mainstream attention. Today, "Picture of Heath" remains a testament to Jimmy Heath's enduring artistry and his commitment to both tradition and innovation within jazz.