While far from unknown, sax player
Jimmy Heath has had a low profile relative to the excellence and consistency of his writing and playing. This compilation helps correct that imbalance by spotlighting the seminal hard bopper's sessions recorded for Riverside between 1959 and 1964. The tracks cover small and medium group settings. Seven are
Heath originals that highlight his direct, swinging, sophisticated, style. The arrangements are also
Heath's. The pieces for septet and nonet call to mind the
Dizzy Gillespie band from this era. The quintet numbers are more in a
Horace Silver vein. The arrangements that include French horn and tuba tend to be more static than the rest. Trumpeters
Nat Adderely,
Freddie Hubbard, and
Donald Byrd all have satisfying choruses, with
Hubbard's being the most distinctive. Pianists
Wynton Kelly,
Cedar Walton,
Harold Mabern and
Herbie Hancock are also prominent and effective in soloist and accompanist roles.
Heath's moments, though, stand out for their energy and intelligence. His attack is more purely boppish than
John Coltrane's, but there are many similarities with that of his close friend, particularly with
Trane's sound from his Atlantic period. Strong echoes of
Dexter Gordon's balanced, authoritative, sonorous style are also evident.
As a compilation,
Nice People passes the key test of generating interest in further exploration of
Heath's Riverside sessions. A good starting point would be 1964's
On the Trail, which is represented by only one track on
Nice People -- a strong performance of "All the Things You Are," featuring luminous bop guitar from
Kenny Burrell.
On the Trail also includes the original version of
Heath's "Gingerbread Boy," best known from the version on
Miles Smiles. ~ Jim Todd