Emmet Cohen

I feel so incredibly fortunate to have spent time around Jimmy Heath. I remember one time sitting next to him on a bus from New York to Washington, DC, on New Year’s Eve. He spoke about Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, and the Modern Jazz Quartet. It changed my whole view on music.

I had the chance to get to know him and Tootie fairly well over the years, and I’m so thankful for everything he gave to us. We stand on the shoulders of Jimmy Heath when we play this music, and I want to give him an extra big heavenly shout-out on his 100th birthday!!!!