Albert "Tootie" Heath is one of the most accomplished jazz drummers of the past 60 years. The drummer has played with everyone from John Coltrane to Ethan Iverson, the piano player for The Bad Plus.



Born on March 31, 1935 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Albert Heath debuted as drummer in 1957 with John Coltrane. During the late 1950's and early 60's he worked with JJ Johnson, Cedar Walton and Bobby Timmons among others. Heath appears on many recordings for Riverside Records and toured Europe with Kenny Drew,and Dexter Gordon. During the late 60's Albert "Tootie" Heath worked with Herbie Hancock and with Yusef Lateef during from 1970 to 1974. In 1975 Tootie joined his brothers and created the sound of the Heath Brothers. Tootie�fs musicianship is legendary. He has continued the bebop tradition and while staying with current concepts.



Tootie Heath is the youngest of the legendary Heath Brothers and like his siblings he has been a major force to the music we call Jazz. During his career Tootie has worked and recorded with Wes Montgomery, JJ Johnson, Tommy Flanagan, Herbie Hancock, Barry Harris, The Modern Jazz Quartet, Monk, Joe Pass, Billy Taylor, McCoy Tyner as well as his brothers, Percy and Jimmy Heath, and many, many more.



On October 1, 2011 Albert "Tootie" Heath was honored at the 14th annual Giants of Jazz concert in South Orange, N.J. Tootie was the first drummer to be honored by Giants of Jazz.