The Heath Brothers
Real Philadelphia Concert
Join us on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 7 pm as Jazz Bridge in partnership with PNC Arts Alive will present a virtual concert with Jazz legend and saxophonist, Jimmy Heath, to premier on Jazz Bridge’s website,
The “Real Philadelphia Book” Concerts took place at the University of the Arts’ Terra Hall and was supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.
Jazz giant, saxophonist Jimmy Heath and his brother, drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath, headlined an evening of great music with trumpeter Terell Stafford, pianist Jeb Patton and bassist David Wong, “celebrating the Real Philadelphia Book” Concerts on Saturday February 25, 2017. Sadly, Jimmy Heath passed away at the age of 93 on January 19, 2020 of natural causes. This concert is a tribute to his Jazz legend status.
This was a celebration of the yet to be published, “Real Philadelphia Book,” comprised of original musical compositions of jazz and blues musicians in the Greater Philadelphia area, with an extraordinary concert series spotlighting some of Philly’s finest jazz artists.
Used by jazz musicians around the world, a “Real Book” is a collection of written music deemed significant enough to be used as a resource for learning the canon of jazz playing in order to improvise on the musical legacy of artists past and present. The Real Philadelphia Book will focus solely on this city’s contributions to the canon – past and present – and the compositions were chosen by a panel of jazz educators and musicians who have been giants in the city for many years.
"This is an unprecedented gathering of compositions from the Philadelphia area's historically vast, rich and varied jazz talent into a compilation accessible to the public." David Dzubinski, Philadelphia Real Book Coordinator and Editor.
“The most important thing about the Philadelphia Real Book is that it puts the focus on Philadelphia jazz musicians as composers. Philadelphia has a long tradition of composers from John Coltrane, Hank Mobley to Lee Morgan and this book provides an opportunity to continue this legacy and not only for established musicians but for up and coming musicians as well.” Lovett Hines, educator – Philadelphia Clef Club of the Performing Arts.
Due to the pandemic, the printing of the book is on hold, but hopes to be a reality in the near future. Please look for an announcement on our website and social media once that becomes available.
