The Heath Brothers is an
American jazz group, formed in 1975 in
Philadelphia, by the brothers
Jimmy (tenor saxophone),
Percy (bass), and
Albert "Tootie" Heath (drums); and pianist
Stanley Cowell. Tony Purrone (guitar) and Jimmy's son
Mtume (percussion) joined the group later. Tootie left in 1978, and was replaced by Akira Tana for a short period before returning in 1982. They also added other sidemen for some of their recording dates.