Jimmy Heath Big Band Centennial Celebration
Dizzy's Club102 Columbus Circle, New York 10107
At Dizzy’s Club, the Jimmy Heath Big Band Centennial Celebration is billed as a big-band salute to the saxophonist, composer, arranger, and bandleader. The listing does not yet name the musicians or give further program details, so the shape of the band and the repertoire remain to be announced. What is clear is the focus: an evening built around Heath’s legacy as a writer for large jazz ensembles, rather than a standard small-group date.
Born in Philadelphia, Jimmy Heath became a major hard-bop voice whose work joined lyrical, swinging writing with big-band arrangements. He played with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, and Milt Jackson, and also led his own ensembles. His 2011 birthday concert was presented with an 18-member band, though that lineup does not establish the personnel for this celebration. Writing about Heath’s big-band recording Turn Up the Heath, JazzTimes called it “his masterpiece as an arranger” and singled out its “clear-cut ensemble writing.” All About Jazz offered a simpler prescription: “Turn Up the Heath, crank up the volume, relax and enjoy.”
Dizzy's Club offers a refined jazz experience with a seating capacity of about 140, where guests enjoy live performances from world-class musicians in a room that frames sweeping views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. The venue features a full bar and a seasonal menu with sophisticated soul food, enhancing the evening beyond just the music. Shows are ticketed and typically run two sets per night, with late-night sessions available without reservation. The seating is generally first-come, first-served, encouraging early arrival for the best vantage points. The club’s location within Jazz at Lincoln Center places it in a lively cultural hub, making it ideal for a night that blends attentive listening with the pleasure of fine dining and cityscape views.