Jimmy Heath

"Elegance in Action” would make an apropos alternate title for Love Letter, the final album released by saxophone great Jimmy Heath, who died at 93 in January 2020. The Philadelphia native’s recording career dates back more than seven decades and includes work on more than 100 albums, and he goes out on a ridiculously high note: Heath and a roomful of blue-chip talents deliver a set of ballads that take full advantage of his still-robust playing and unique gifts as a bandleader, composer, and arranger.

PERSONNEL:

• Jimmy Heath, tenor saxophone
• Kenny Barron, piano
• Russell Malone, guitar
• Monte Croft, vibes,
• David Wong, bass
• Lewis Nash, drums.

• Special Guests:
• Gregory Porter, vocals (6)
• Cécile McLorin Salvant: vocals (8)
• Wynton Marsalis, trumpet (8).

TRACKS:

• 01. Ballad From Upper Neighbor’s Suite
• 02. Left Alone
• 03. Inside Your Heart
• 04. Fashion Or Passion
• 05. Con Alma
• 06. Don’t Misunderstand
• 07. La Mesha
• 08. Don’t Explain.