South Florida JAZZ presents an extraordinary performance by three great tenor saxophonists, featuring National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters JIMMY HEATH and BENNY GOLSON and JAVON JACKSON in rare meeting of these iconic stars that span the history of jazz from the bebop era to the present.
South Florida’s premier modern jazz organization is honored and privileged
to present these revered artists in concert on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at
8:00 p.m. This concert, produced by South Florida JAZZ, brings together an
all-star sextet for the first time ever in concert, an event unlikely to be
repeated. The performance will take place at the Rose & Alfred Miniaci
Performing Arts Center, 3100 Ray Ferrero, Jr. Blvd on the Nova Southeastern
University campus in Davie. Tickets are $40 ($15 for students with I.D.)
and can be purchased from Ticketmaster via www.southfloridajazz.org or by calling 800.745.3000
Saxophone Summit
A jazz summit is a musical celebration that focuses attention on one
instrument and it has been done innumerable times over the ages, especially
with saxophones. Many summits, dating back to the 1930s, were jam sessions or
“cutting contests,” where the participants competed onstage. This summit
featuring a young lion and two truly celebrated NEA Jazz Masters will highlight
the performance and compositional talents of these three exponents of American
jazz music.
Jimmy Heath, vibrant at age 88, is one of the deans of
American jazz saxophone. Growing up in Philadelphia, he first played alto
saxophone, but the immense aura of Charlie Parker convinced him to switch to
tenor. He was a middle child, between bassist Percy, and drummer Tootie
(Albert). They eventually formed the Heath Brothers band in 1975 and the
band continues despite the passing of Percy in 2005 (who also played for
decades in the cooler, and more lucrative Modern Jazz Quartet). Dating to the
mid-1940s, Jimmy loved the power of big bands and leads one still today. While
primarily self-taught, Jimmy recognized his deficiencies and worked his way
through the Schillinger System of Music Composition. He is a master player.
Benny Golson is a spritely 85 and as well as he plays
tenor saxophone, he is equally adept as a composer and arranger, crediting the
influence of pianist Tadd Dameron. Benny has written numerous jazz standards
(e.g. “Killer Joe,” “Whisper Not,” “Stablemates,” and “I Remember Clifford,”),
which are still recorded today. Growing up in Philadelphia, he befriended John
Coltrane, Philly Joe Jones, the Heath brothers, and Red Garland. After a stint
with the Jazz Messengers, he and trumpeter Art Farmer formed the Jazztet that was
active from 1959-62 and again in the ‘80s. For years, Benny devoted himself to
composing and scoring for TV and film; but as player, he retains a gorgeous
tone, a melodic gift, unimpeachable harmonic ingenuity, and unfaltering
stamina. He is erudite, a fabulous clinician and has a persistent twinkle in
his eye.
Javon Jackson, a great friend to South Florida JAZZ,
accepted the task of organizing this unique summit with these highly
entertaining and affable legendary artists. Javon became the chair of the
University of Hartford’s Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz in 2013. He is a
former Art Blakey Jazz Messenger, having held the tenor sax chair for more than
three years, then played in the bands of Freddie Hubbard and Elvin Jones. He
now leads his own band. Javon, along with South Florida JAZZ artistic director
Ron Weber, selected the rhythm section that features the venerable George
Cables on piano, veteran bassist Peter Washington, and talented drummer Willy
Jones III. The repertoire for the evening is certain to reflect the composing
talents of two legendary exponents of the jazz idiom dating from early bebop
days and continuing into the modern era.
ARTISTIC PERSONNEL:
Jimmy Heath – tenor saxophone
Benny Golson – tenor saxophone
Javon Jackson – tenor saxophone
George Cables – piano
Peter Washington – bass
Willy Jones III – drums
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