Tootie

The legendary jazz drummer, Albert "Tootie" Heath, is on the Grammy Ballot for Best Improvised Jazz Solo, from Richard Sears's "Altadena" on Ropeadope Records. This recording was produced two weeks after Tootie's 80th birthday in June of 2015. 

Tootie is among the last living "hard-bop" drummers. He made his recording debut in 1958 on Coltrane's Atlantic release, "Coltrane". He is among the most prolific drummers of his generation, having performed and recorded with Herbie Hancock, Thelonious Monk, Lester Young, Nina Simone, and countless others. â€‹â€‹In 2013, the Los Angeles Jazz Society presented Richard Sears with a writing commission to compose a suite to honor Tootie. The "Altadena" suite premiered at the Angel City Jazz Festival that same year, with Richard's Sextet featuring Tootie on drums. In 2015, Richard received a grant from the Aaron Copland Recording fund to document this work. As Chris Barton wrote for the Los Angeles Times, "this album is full of zig-zagging, free-flowing invention over five movements and a taut 35 minutes. The Philadelphia-born Heath is an under-appreciated gem, and his rich musical track record only gains further esteem with intricate compositions by Sears"

In October of 2015, Tootie suffered a major stroke, leaving him hospitalized for several weeks. Tootie has recovered magnificently, and is still playing with his characteristic swing, fire, and sensitivity. The stroke, however, did cause a perceptible change in his daily and musical life. This recording captures Tootie in his late-career prime, and as you are making your considerations for the 2017 Grammy Ballot, we strongly encourage you to consider Tootie Heath for Best Improvised Jazz Solo from "Part 1" on Richard Sears's "Altadena".

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