Jimmy Heath: Why Ben Webster Learned the Lyrics - JazzTimes Before and After

February 18, 2011, Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, JazzTimes Magazine, Before and After, Larry Appelbaum with Jimmy Heath, who just published "I Walked with Giants." Click here to purchase the book: tinyurl.com/jim... To view Bret Primack's Jimmy Heath documentary: To view on Amazon Prime: www.amazon.com...

[@RitaAndersson-jx5gk]

Jimmy Heath spoke the truth, knowing the lyrics makes you interpret the music with such feeling. When I listen to Ben Webster play 'Tenderley' it has such an effect on me, I can't explain. Gets me every time I hear it...❤

[@JazzVideoGuy]

Exactly!

[@MarTTy4653]

Jimmy hits the nail on the head. Amen!

[@byronsigrano6849]

Lester learnt the lyrics too. This is invaluable advice when your instrument is chiefly concerned with melody. Use that vehicle to make your major brush strokes. Then harmony and rhythm can compliment and turn your playing into a masterpiece.

[@nemo227]

That's been my point of view also. Some people simply play notes but the best musicians understand the song's subject and message.

[@gregorylightcatcher1058]

Rich stuff Jimmy's saying. I always like the musicians who are talking, who are saying something with their horn, more than just hittin notes or makin sounds.

[@bernabefernandeztouceda7188]

Coltrane did both things. He was like the most lyrical of all the technical sax players.

[@benjamindady4366]

Bernabé Fernández Touceda can you give an example?

[@Smoth22]

I would like to recommend song of praise by john Coltrane. I think lyrical and both technical.

[@y34r]

Benjamin Lewis-Skeath listen to coltrane solo on stairway to the star from bags and tranes, pure heaven

[@kbh4950]

Love you Jimmy. Rest in peace.

[@rayoll]

get that man a career as a vocalist! thanks for posting this

[@pickinstone]

you really learn how to appreciate how lyrics really make those ballads so emotive after you work with vocalists on those tunes. And if you play a chordal instrument, there's no better way to learn how to truly 'comp until you play with a vocalist. And if you play guitar, well, there's no excuse...

[@bennyjazzful]

WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!111 What an amazing person & musician. From a mad keen 76yo Aussie fan. Stoked to hear Jimmy mention my favorite female Jazz vocalist,Carmen McRae.

[@JazzVideoGuy]

Jimmy was a remarkable man.

[@yvonne243]

He is sooo right.....thank you Jimmy Heath ❤️

[@JazzVideoGuy]

Jimmy was an angel.

[@alansenzaki4148]

A lesson for all the young musicians out there. I hope they teach this at julliard and berklee. Learn the lyrics to these love songs. Jimmy speaks the truth from all those years.

[@hommefriday]

I am so, so grateful to JazzVideoGuy. My dream would be to have somebody like Jimmy giving his comments ON EACH performance or recording (I know I sound like Homme de la mancha!). I did have the opportunity to catch up with some of my Gods and ask them about a certain recording or concert. However, by the time I catch up with them, many years go by and of course the memory fades.

[@bluegoose555]

absolute charm incarnate...thanks again for posting

[@michaelroach4219]

Thank you.wow.I studied with Mr.Heath back in the 70s.It's nice to hear from him again.

[@XelaMa]

As a jazz vocalist, it's amazing how many (but definitely not all) instrumentalists look down their noses at vocalists! They should learn from Ben & Lester, and listen to Jimmy Heath!!!

[@JazzVideoGuy]

totally agree

[@lafayettegunter292]

my favorite tenor players are Ben Webster , Lester Young ,Coleman Hawkins, Gene Ammons ,buddy Tate ,Arnett Cobb ,Dexter Gordon Illinois jacket ,Jimmy Heath ,Benny Golson Stan Getz ,John Coltrane Michael Brecker, Grover Washington Jr, Boney James ,Kirk Whalum, Kenny G and Joshua Redman all have beautiful sounds

[@JazzVideoGuy]

That's quite a list!

[@bluenotetom]

I love Jimmy Heath.Thanks for posting this. Buy his book. It is really worth reading.

[@ilpezkato]

Thanks for posting!!

[@bobsabin]

Immortal.

[@jazzbizwoman]

Every student of jazz should view this video. Excellent

[@PnpjazzCa1245]

What a great analogy. That's how it should be done. Sing the music through the instrument. It makes sense. If you can sing the line then you can play it.

[@Guitfiddlejase]

Thank you so much for posting this!

[@EndlessMagic]

This is a real masterclass.. Thanks a lot for posting.. Thanks100x.

[@jaleelshaw]

Happy Birthday Jimmy!

[@clavis_voveo]

This is GOLD!

[@godfather12m]

Oh my , the intro is fantastic

[@terrryc]

ALL music students who aspire to play at this level should watch this lecture. It's all about bringing the essence of the emotions behind the composition to the Audience. Otherwise, play in an Army band or some sorry-essed Community Concert band where there's safety in numbers....

[@JazzClubOverSeas]

We all love Jimmy Heath, he is HIP as always and his comment on lyrics and music has great insight! I am going to translate his words into Japanese and let them know about this video! Thanks Jazz Video Guy

[@99corncob]

I'm sort of surprised that any soloist would not feel a need to learn the words to a ballad. If the words don't work with that you are doing, the ballad does not work. Ben Webster and every other good player know this.

[@JazzVideoGuy]

true dat

[@MajorConstruct]

incredible.....

[@ZazenFlyin]

2:41-2:47 anyone transcribed this hot solo?

[@JazzVideoGuy]

@davekinci Jimmy calls his composition, based on these changes "Sleeves."

[@1955drv]

Thanks

[@OGStazzy]

Well it all come from the voice voice first instrument after

[@saxofonistacr]

thanks, again, if you don't have a gov. grant you should be giving one, there is so much value in preserving the words of this guys! you are doing a terrific job.

[@JazzVideoGuy]

Thank you. I'm going to have to apply for some grants.

[@saxofonistacr]

you deserve it!

[@Jazacad]

AWESOME!!! Post Bret!!!

[@JazzVideoGuy]

@davekinci He's playing on the chord changes to Autumn Leaves?

[@davekinci]

@JazzVideoGuy yeah sounds like it, i'm going to transcribe those lines :)

[@maisqpoesia9999lcg]

Interesting!!!

[@davekinci]

Great video! What's the song in the beginning and at the end?

[@woiowoiow190]

My bass teacher told me to do this exactly, after all the voice is an instrument. He'd tell me pretend there is a little man inside the upright so make him sing....as a bassist it's easier for me to sing while I play, which is the case every time.

[@taylorfusion]

Does anyone have any idea of which Frederick Delius composition Jimmy is referring?

[@JazzVideoGuy]

@nickonthesax well then maybe you should start at the beginning

[@AliLevymusic]

damn

[@DCDowDell]

♪♫

[@vladimirlopez7840]

Dexter is my favorite ballad player. I like Ben Webster but I can only listen to it for a while. Ben’s old old school fast vibrato and crying type playing just doesn’t do it for me.

[@paulturner6334]

Voicing the lyric adds the proper color...shades of color. Jimmy heath thanks to your parents for percy,al tottie heath.

[@jackk9366]

He kinda talks like Chris Rock lol

[@IberianInteractive]

@nickonthesax AHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAHAAHAHAH

[@lj3musicjulien855]

I disagree with Jimmy Heath on Grover couldn't play like the guys he mentioned. Listen to him " Live" and tell me he couldn't play like those giants, & straight ahead players. No disrespect to the late jazz giant.

[@alextripp406]

I think he's actually defending Grover Washington here! Against the "other" guys that aren't mentioned who just play blazing fast lines.