The Heath Brothers: saxophonist Jimmy and drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath.

The few musicians still performing who were there at the start of the modern jazz era in the 1940s, at the birth of be-bop, are often referred to as “national treasures” or “elder statesman.” While their elevated status is much deserved — they are, after all, a direct connection to the past — one wonders whether these players feel like they are being treated as relics despite putting out vital and relevant music. Jimmy Heath, who was named an NEA Jazz Master in 2003, falls into this category, but cherishes the role.

“I’m constantly referred to as a ‘survivor’ and having to talk about everybody, the giants I worked with,” said the 84-year old saxophonist during a recent interview with DCist. “That’s my plight in life, but man, it’s a great life.”

Heath further embraced this role by chronicling many of these stories in his book, I Walked with Giants: The Autobiography of Jimmy Heath, which was published in 2010.

“I’m somewhat of a historian. My purpose in life is to continue and aid in the continuance of the African American classical music,” said Heath.

Similar to Hank, Thad and Elvin Jones, or the Marsalises, the Heath family produced a set of brothers that would each become a force within jazz. The eldest, the late Percy Heath, broke new ground playing bass with the Modern Jazz Quartet for over twenty years beginning in the early ’50s, but got his start working with Dizzy Gillespie in the decade prior. Jimmy Heath also got his start with Diz, playing alto saxophone and earning the nickname “Little Bird” because of his ability to play like Charlie Parker. Switching to tenor saxophone soon thereafter, he has appeared on over 100 recordings and is among the most respected jazz composers and educators. Drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath, the youngest, first recorded with John Coltrane in 1957 and has played with Herbie Hacock, Nina Simone and numerous other greats. The three formed The Heath Brothers in 1975 and started recording and touring together. Playing with his brothers is an experience of which Jimmy Heath is quite fond.

“We are always surprised and surprise each other by coming up with something different,” he said. “That’s the pleasant thing about knowing someone and knowing the possibilities of what they can do.”

An updated iteration of The Heath Brothers will perform this weekend at Bohemian Caverns as part of the ongoing DC Jazz Festival, which this year is honoring Jimmy Heath with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Another pair of former Dizzy Gillespie sidemen, pianist Cyrus Chestnut and bassist John Lee, will join Jimmy and Tootie Heath on stage. Jimmy Heath expects the entire band to show up, unlike the last time he appeared at the historic club back in the ’50s.

“I played there once, I recall,” Heath remembered. “The band was with Kenny Dorham and Philly Joe Jones. Philly Joe didn’t show so we had to call in a local drummer.”

Talking about the club led to a conversation about Heath’s views on D.C.’s jazz scene, in which he dropped many compliments to the likes of Billy Taylor, Fred Irby, Davey Yarborough and local legend Buck Hill, who he jokingly referred to as “that retired postman who plays the shit out of the tenor.”

“There’s a wealth of talent in D.C. and it was always there,” said Heath. “It’s still ongoing because of all the schools. The younger ones are now stepping up.”

Thinking that Heath has any plans to slow down would be a mistake. In addition to a busy performance schedule, which includes kicking off the Lincoln Center’s jazz season in September and a stint at New York’s famed Blue Note with his big band, the August Wilson Center for African American Culture commissioned a composition from Heath to accompany a retrospective of the great playwright’s career.

“You’re always trying to do something better. I keep writing and playing to be better,” Heath explained. “I think you’re on a quest for knowledge and if it ends, you might as well be gone.”

The Heath Brothers, Jimmy and Tootie, with Jeb Patton on piano and Peter Washington on bass:

The Heath Brothers will perform 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday, June 10 and 11, 2011 at Bohemian Caverns. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door.