NYS Music 202​0

Tag: tribute

  • Tribute to Jazz Legend Jimmy Heath Announced at Flushing Town Hall

    Flushing Town Hall announced a tribute to the late Jimmy Heath, nicknamed Little Bird in the industry, who was an NEA Jazz Master and Queens Jazz Orchestra Music Director. Heath passed away back in January of 2020 at the age of 93 and was a jazz legend for his saxophone skills in particular. The event will be live-streamed on Flushing Town Hall’s Facebook page on Friday, June 19 at 7:00 PM. 

    Percy Heath (Left) and Jimmy Heath (right) performing in June 1977.

    Jimmy Heath received three Grammy nominations over the years. He was nominated for Best Historical  Album with John Coltrane: The Heavyweight Champion: The Complete Atlantic Recordings (Album) during the 38th Annual Grammy  Awards in 1995, Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance with Little Man, Big Band (Album) during the 36th Annual Grammy  Awards in 1993, and Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group with Live At The Public Theatre (Album) during the 23rd Annual Grammy  Awards in 1980. Jimmy Heath was also a recipient of the 2003 NEA Jazz Masters Award and in 2004 he was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Human Letters. With performing in over 100 albums and writing over 125 compositions Jimmy Heath was truly a legend in the Jazz world. 

    Flushing Town Hall plans to honor him with this special tribute by including appearances by many celebrated musical artists who have crossed paths – and taken the stage – with Jimmy Heath throughout his career. People on the docket include Jimmy Heath’s wife, Mona, and jazz legends Albert “Tootie” Heath, Barry Harris, Jimmy Owens, and Dorthaan Kirk; and members of Queens Jazz Orchestra, including Antonio Hart, David Wang, Jeb Patton and Douglas Purviance. On top of the musical component of the tribute there also will be testimonials about Jimmy Heath from special guests such as New York City Council Member Francisco Moya.

    Flushing Town Hall seemed like the right venue for this tribute for Jimmy Heath according to Town Hall Executive and Artistic Director Ellen Kodadek because, “Jimmy Heath was an iconic presence at Flushing Town Hall. Whenever we would announce that our Queens Jazz Orchestra would return, performances would sell out – because people wanted to come together to experience the music and the man.” 

    The event will take place Friday, June 19 at 7:00 PM and can be viewed for free on  Flushing Town Hall’s Facebook page. Donations will be accepted to support the Jimmy Heath Fund at Queens College. They can be sent to: The Jimmy Heath Fund, c/o Mike Lipsey, Queens College Music Department, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, Queens, 11367. Donations are also being accepted for the Jimmy Heath Scholarship Fund at Queens College. They can be made by writing a check to the QC Foundation (and putting “Jimmy Heath Scholarship” in the memo), and mailed to: Queens College Foundation, Keily Hall, Queens College, Queens, NY, 11367, or by calling Joann Acquista, Queens College, Director, Donor Relations, at (718) 997-5864.

    For more information on the event visit Flushing Town Hall’s website.

  • The Allman Brothers’ 50th Anniversary Tribute Show Unite at MSG in March.

    The Brothers, also known as the surviving members of The Allman Brothers Band, are set to perform a tribute at Madison Square Garden(MSG) for the bands 50th anniversary, to take place on March 10.

    The Brothers are made up of Jaimoe, Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, Oteil Burbridge, and Marc Quinones, with Duane Trucks, Reese Wynans, and Chuck Leavell. Although there are no Allman’s attached to the end of any names, this tribute is about honoring the band, Duane, Gregg, Berry and Butch, and the great music they created. 

    Jaimoe Johanson is the drummer, Warren Haynesis and Derek Trucks are on guitarist, Oteil Burbridge backs the  bass, and Marc Quinones on percussion. All support the last Allman lineup and are the surviving members of the band, minus Betts who “had prior commitments that prevented him from attending,” said his manager, David Spero, according to Rolling Stone’s article.

    Duane Trucks, Derek’s brother and the nephew of late Allman founding drummer Butch, will be filling in on drums. Reese Wynans will be playing organ, known for being in the pre-Allman band, Second Coming. Chuck Leavell will be joining as a pianist, a former member of the band back in the Seventies.

    It’s undecided who will handle Allman’s vocals yet, but it is sure to be one hell of an anniversary show. The show will take place at 7:30pm and tickets are available directly from Madison Square Garden, or via Ticketmaster.

    For more information on The Brothers and their anniversary show for The Allman Brothers Band visit their website.