Jimmy Heath, who has died aged 93, played a prominent role in jazz for more than 70 years, as a saxophonist, composer and arranger. James Edward Heath was born on October 25 1926 in Philadelphia, the second of three brothers, all equally talented. The oldest, Percy, would become the bassist of the Modern Jazz Quartet, while the youngest, Albert “Tootie” Heath, would play drums with the original Herbie Hancock Sextet. Their father, a motor mechanic, was an amateur clarinettist, while their mother sang in the church choir. Jimmy took up the alto saxophone at 14, and at 18 was touring with the Nat Towles orchestra. Although he had no formal training in music, he began writing simple arrangements for the band. His skill at orchestration grew rapidly until, within a few months, he was a fully competent arranger....