[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 84 (Monday, June 13, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1075]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  REGARDING THE LEGENDARY JIMMY HEATH, RECIPIENT OF THE 2011 DC JAZZ 
                  FESTIVAL LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 13, 2011

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, many of my colleagues know of my passion 
for jazz music. This original American art form has played an 
influential role in my life and is as integral to my District as Motown 
and automobiles. As such, it has been my pleasure to support and 
promote the music over my many years in Washington.
  I am proud to be an original supporter of the 7-year old DC Jazz 
Festival, now the largest music festival in the Nation's Capital. It 
has truly been a pleasure to be a part of this event and all it offers 
the District and the Nation--from great year-round jazz programming to 
real educational partnerships with the DC public schools. Truly, the DC 
Jazz Festival demonstrates that equality, inclusion and democratic 
values stand at the heart of jazz music.
  Since its inception in 2005, the DC Jazz Festival honors living 
legends each year with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Past recipients 
include Dave Brubeck, Dr. Billy Taylor, Clark Terry, Hank Jones, Buck 
Hill, George Wein, Ellis Marsalis and James Moody. Today I rise to add 
my words of congratulations to the most recent jazz legend to receive 
this honor--Mr. Jimmy Heath.
  The second oldest brother of the legendary Heath Brothers, Jimmy 
Heath has long been recognized as a virtuoso instrumentalist, and 
magnificent composer and arranger. He has performed on more than 100 
recordings with his own groups, as well as with jazz icons such as 
Dizzy Gillespie, James Moody, and Miles Davis, to name just a few. 
Nicknamed ``Little Bird'' due to his similarities in saxophone style to 
Charlie ``Bird Parker,'' Mr. Heath has written more than 125 
compositions, many of which have become jazz standards. Mr. Heath has 
also long understood the importance of educating the next generation 
jazz musician. A preeminent educator, he directed the jazz program at 
Queens College in New York for over twenty years. Jimmy Heath was also 
a panelist at my 1987 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Jazz Forum 
entitled: ``Jazz a Family Tradition.'' He talked about his experience 
growing up in a household with two brothers who also became world 
renowned jazz musicians: Percy Heath, and Albert ``Tootie'' Heath.
  Jimmy Heath has served on the Board of the Louis Armstrong Archives 
housed at Queens College, and taught at renowned institutions, 
including New York's famed Jazzmobile, Housatonic College, the City 
College of New York, and The New School for Social Research. Recipient 
of the 2003 NEA Jazz Masters Award, we celebrate Jimmy Heath's enduring 
achievements and contributions to our nation's singular original art 
form.
  Today, I am proud to honor this American living legend and pass on my 
congratulations for a job well done and an award well deserved.

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