Members of the North and South High Jazz Bands participated in clinics with the world-renown Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble, and visiting guest artist Jimmy Heath.
Jimmy Heath originally played alto saxophone but after the influence of
Charlie Parker on his work for
Howard McGhee and
Dizzy Gillespie in the late
1940s, he earned the nickname "Little Bird" (Parker's nickname was Bird) and he switched to tenor sax. He was out of the music scene for several years in the
1950s, returned to work with
Miles Davis in 1959 and then with
Kenny Dorham and
Gil Evans. He also recorded extensively. During the
1960s, he frequently worked with
Milt Jackson and
Art Farmer. In
1975, he and his brothers formed the
Heath Brothers. Tootie dropped out of the group in
1978 but Jimmy, Percy and their sidemen stayed together until
1982 . Jimmy continued to work frequently following the break-up of this band.In the 1980's, he joined he faculty of the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College in the City University of New York. With the rank of Professor, he led the creation of the Jazz Program at Queens College and attracted many outstanding musicians, such as
Donald Byrd to the campus. He also served on the Board of the Louis Armstrong Archives on campus and the restoration and management of the Louis and Lucille Armstrong Residence in Corona, Queens. Mr. Heath continued his association with the College until recently. In 2004, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Human Letters.
