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{{Short description|American musical artist (1938–2021)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = John Heard
| name = John Heard
| image =
| image =
| caption =
| caption =
| image_size =
| image_size =
| landscape = no
| landscape = no
| birth_name = John William Heard
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| birth_name =
| alias =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1938|07|03}}
| birth_place = [[Pittsburgh]], [[Pennsylvania]], United States
| birth_date = July 1938
| death_date =
| death_date = {{death date and age|mf=y|2021|12|10|1938|07|03}}
| origin =
| death_place =
| instrument = Double bass<br>Electric bass
| origin =
| instrument = Double bass<br>Electric bass
| genre = Jazz
| occupation = Jazz musician<br>artist
| genre = Jazz
| years_active = 1960s–present
| occupation = Jazz musician<br>artist
| label = [[ITI Records]]
| years_active = 1960s–2021
| associated_acts = [[Count Basie]]<br>[[Heard Ranier Ferguson]]<br>The John Heard Trio<br>[[Oscar Peterson]]
| label = [[ITI Records]]
| associated_acts = [[Count Basie]]<br>[[Heard Ranier Ferguson]]<br>The John Heard Trio<br>[[Oscar Peterson]]
| website =
| website =
}}
}}


'''John Heard''' is a bass player and artist. He has worked with [[Pharoah Sanders]], playing on his ''[[Heart is a Melody]]'' album, [[George Duke]] playing on the ''[[Jean-Luc Ponty Experience with the George Duke Trio]]'' album and [[Oscar Peterson]]s ''[[The London Concert (Oscar Peterson album)|The London Concert]]'' album. he also played on the ''[[Night Rider (album)|Night Rider]]'' by [[Oscar Peterson]] and [[Count Basie]].
'''John William Heard''' (July 3, 1938 – December 10, 2021)<ref name="LarkinJazz"/> was an American bass player and artist. His recording credits include albums with [[Pharoah Sanders]], [[George Duke]], [[Oscar Peterson]], [[Count Basie]], [[Zoot Sims]], [[Ahmad Jamal]], [[Frank Morgan (musician)|Frank Morgan]], [[George Cables]]. His professional jazz performance career lasted from the 1960s to the early 2010s, during which he also worked as a visual artist, producing drawings, paintings, and sculptures.


==Background==
==Background==
He was born in [[Pittsburgh]], [[Pennsylvania]], United States.<ref name="LarkinJazz">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]|date=1992|edition=First|isbn=0-85112-580-8|page=195}}</ref>
He was born John William Heard in July 1938.


He also played saxophone in his early years.<ref>Secondhand songs [http://secondhandsongs.com/artist/53915 Artist John Heard]</ref><ref>Allmusic [http://www.allmusic.com/artist/john-heard-mn0000224026 Artist Biography by Scott Yanow]</ref> He began playing bass at the age of 14. His professional career began in a band that included sax player Booker Ervin, drummer J.C. Moses, pianist Horace Parlan and trumpet player Tommy Turrentine. Whilst still at high school, he attended special classes at the Carnegie Museum of Art.
He also played saxophone in his early years.<ref>Secondhand songs [http://secondhandsongs.com/artist/53915 Artist John Heard]</ref><ref>Allmusic [http://www.allmusic.com/artist/john-heard-mn0000224026 Artist Biography by Scott Yanow]</ref> He began playing bass at the age of 14. His professional career began in a band that included sax player [[Booker Ervin]], drummer J.C. Moses, pianist [[Horace Parlan]] and trumpet player [[Tommy Turrentine]]. While in high school, he attended special classes at the [[Carnegie Museum of Art]].


In 1958 he joined the air force and was sent to Germany. Because of his art experience he was given a job of designing posters for events. He also did some art teaching, teaching the wives of officers. He left the air force in 1961 and enrolled at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. He returned to music and went to Buffalo and later to California.<ref>All About Jazz [http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/johnheard John Heard]</ref>
In 1958, he joined the [[United States Air Force]] and was sent to Germany. Because of his art experience he was given a job of designing posters for events. He also did some art teaching, teaching the wives of officers. He left the Air Force in 1961 and enrolled at the [[Art Institute of Pittsburgh]]. He returned to music and went to Buffalo and later to California.<ref>All About Jazz [http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/johnheard John Heard]</ref>

On December 10, 2021, Heard died at the age of 83.<ref name="Barnhart">{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/scotty.barnhart/posts/10159145877156777 |title=RIP John Heard... |last=Barnhart |first=Scotty |date=10 December 2021 |website=Facebook |publisher= |access-date=20 December 2021 |quote=}}</ref>


==Art==
==Art==
In the 1980s he had converted a North Hollywood garage into a studio and was spending much time there painting. He said that he was hanging out with Santa Monica-based sculptor, Jim Casey who was teaching him the way he wanted to learn. 18 months prior to his being interviewed for the article he had taken up sculpturing. His first one was a bust of [[Duke Ellington]] then one of [[Billy Eckstine]]. At the time he was working on one of [[Louis Armstrong]].<ref>Los Angeles Times 31 May 1987 [http://articles.latimes.com/1987-05-31/entertainment/ca-9165_1_john-heard Jazz John Heard Carves Out New Career by Leaonard Feather]</ref>
In the 1980s, he had converted a North Hollywood garage into a studio and was spending much time there painting. He said that he was hanging out with Santa Monica-based sculptor Jim Casey, who was teaching him the way he wanted to learn. 18 months prior to his being interviewed for the article he had taken up sculpting. His first one was a bust of [[Duke Ellington]], then one of [[Billy Eckstine]]. At the time he was working on one of [[Louis Armstrong]].<ref>''Los Angeles Times'', 31 May 1987 [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-05-31-ca-9165-story.html Jazz John Heard Carves Out New Career by Leaonard Feather]</ref>


Examples of his work are held in the Oakland Museum of California. They include drawings of [[Bud Powell]] and [[Milt Jackson]].<ref>Oakland Museum of California OMCA Collections [http://collections.museumca.org/?q=collection-item/20105414866 african american art drawing figure, male Bud Powell]</ref><ref>Oakland Museum of California OMCA Collections [http://collections.museumca.org/?q=collection-item/20105414867 african american art drawing figure, male Milt Jackson]</ref>
Examples of his work are held in the Oakland Museum of California. They include drawings of [[Bud Powell]] and [[Milt Jackson]].<ref>Oakland Museum of California OMCA Collections [http://collections.museumca.org/?q=collection-item/20105414866 african american art drawing figure, male Bud Powell]</ref><ref>Oakland Museum of California OMCA Collections [http://collections.museumca.org/?q=collection-item/20105414867 african american art drawing figure, male Milt Jackson]</ref>


==Musical career==
==Musical career==

===1960s===
===1960s===
Playing double-bass he has worked with [[Tommy Turrentine]] and [[Al Jarreau]] from the mid to late 1960s. Also in the late 1960s he worked with [[Jean-Luc Ponty]], [[Sonny Rollins]] and [[Wes Montgomery]].
Playing double-bass, he has worked with [[Tommy Turrentine]] and [[Al Jarreau]] from the mid to late 1960s.<ref name="LarkinJazz"/> Also in the late 1960s he worked with [[Jean-Luc Ponty]], [[Sonny Rollins]]<ref name="LarkinJazz"/> and [[Wes Montgomery]].


===1970s===
===1970s===
In the 1970s he performed with [[Toshiko Ashiyoki]], [[Count Basie]], [[Louie Bellson]], [[John Collins (jazz guitarist)|John Collins]], [[Joe Henderson]], [[Ahmad Jamal]], [[Blue Mitchell]] and [[Oscar Peterson]].
In the 1970s, he performed with [[Toshiko Akiyoshi]], [[Count Basie]], [[Louie Bellson]], [[John Collins (jazz guitarist)|John Collins]], [[Joe Henderson]], [[Ahmad Jamal]], [[Blue Mitchell]] and [[Oscar Peterson]].<ref name="LarkinJazz"/>


===1980s===
===1980s===
In the 1980s he performed with [[Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis]], [[Buddy Montgomery]] and [[Pharoah Sanders]].<ref>Historical Dictionary of Jazz by John S. Davis [https://books.google.com/books?id=OqfrqNncZXAC&pg=PA161&dq=%22John+Heard%22+Bass&hl=en&sa=X&ei=CVFXVerHIYru8gWtioHIAg&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAzgK#v=onepage&q=%22John%20Heard%22%20Bass&f=false Page 161 Heard, John William (1938 -)]</ref>
In the 1980s, he performed with [[Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis]], [[Buddy Montgomery]] and [[Pharoah Sanders]].<ref name="books.google.com">Historical Dictionary of Jazz by John S. Davis [https://books.google.com/books?id=OqfrqNncZXAC&dq=%22John+Heard%22+Bass&pg=PA161 Page 161 Heard, John William (1938 -)]</ref>


In 1981, he played bass on the ''Blue Balkan'' album by pianist [[Larry Vuckovich]]. Other musicians to play on the album were vibraphonist [[Bobby Hutcherson]] and drummer [[Eddie Moore (musician)|Eddie More]].<ref>'' Berkeleyside'' 3 October 2013 [http://www.berkeleyside.com/2013/10/03/larry-vuckovich-hes-got-those-balkan-blues-again/ Larry Vuckovich: He’s got those Balkan Blues again by Andrew Gilbert]</ref> Heard also played with Vuckovich band on their first "Club Date" show on PBS which was picked up by at least 120 cities in the U.S. In addition to Heard and Vuckovitch, the band included Tom Harrell on trumpet, and Sherman Ferguson on drums. As an unexpected bonus, the group was joined by saxophonist Charles McPherson for their last piece. The show's producer Paul Marshall spotted him in the audience and asked him if he had his saxophone which he did and asked him to join them.<ref>Larry Vuckovich website [http://larryvuckovich.com/photo_gallery-group_dates-02.htm Photo Gallery: Group Dates ''Club Date (PBS)'']</ref>
In 1981, he played bass on the ''Blue Balkan'' album by pianist [[Larry Vuckovich]]. Other musicians to play on the album were vibraphonist [[Bobby Hutcherson]] and drummer [[Eddie Moore (musician)|Eddie More]].<ref>'' Berkeleyside'' 3 October 2013 [http://www.berkeleyside.com/2013/10/03/larry-vuckovich-hes-got-those-balkan-blues-again/ Larry Vuckovich: He’s got those Balkan Blues again by Andrew Gilbert]</ref> Heard also played with Vuckovich's band on their first "Club Date" show on PBS, which was picked up by at least 120 cities in the U.S. In addition to Heard and Vuckovitch, the band included Tom Harrell on trumpet, and Sherman Ferguson on drums. As an unexpected bonus, the group was joined by saxophonist Charles McPherson for their last piece. The show's producer Paul Marshall spotted him in the audience, and asked him if he had his saxophone which he did and asked him to join them.<ref>Larry Vuckovich website [http://larryvuckovich.com/photo_gallery-group_dates-02.htm Photo Gallery: Group Dates ''Club Date (PBS)'']</ref>


In 1983 he got together with [[Tom Ranier]] and [[Sherman Ferguson]] and formed the group Heard, Ranier, Ferguson and they released the self-titled album on the ITI Records label in 1983. It was produced by A. James Liska and Michael Dion. The album also included a lithograph of Count Basie that was drawn by John Heard.<ref>WorldCat [http://www.worldcat.org/title/heard-ranier-ferguson/oclc/24282624 Heard, Ranier, Ferguson]</ref><ref>Discogs [http://www.discogs.com/Heard-Ranier-Ferguson-Heard-Ranier-Ferguson/release/3454224 Heard* – Ranier* – Ferguson* – Heard Ranier Ferguson]</ref> An article in the Billboard Magazine October 1983 issue indicated that he was going to be used as a graphic artist for the label. He was to be marketed as both an artist and a musician.<ref>Billboard 15 October 1983 [http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/80s/1983/BB-1983-10-15.pdf Page 36, Jazz – Fledgling ITA Label Maps Abitious Plans]</ref>
In 1983, he joined [[Tom Ranier]] and [[Sherman Ferguson]] to create the group Heard, Ranier, Ferguson, which released an eponymous album on the ITI Records label in 1983. The album art included a lithograph of Count Basie that was drawn by John Heard.<ref>WorldCat [https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/24282624 Heard, Ranier, Ferguson]</ref><ref>Discogs [http://www.discogs.com/Heard-Ranier-Ferguson-Heard-Ranier-Ferguson/release/3454224 Heard* – Ranier* – Ferguson* – Heard Ranier Ferguson]</ref> An article in ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'''s October 1983 issue, indicated that he was going to be used as a graphic artist for the label. He was to be marketed as both an artist and a musician.<ref>Billboard 15 October 1983 [http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/80s/1983/BB-1983-10-15.pdf Page 36, Jazz – Fledgling ITA Label Maps Ambitious Plans]</ref>


In an article in the LA times dated 31 May 1987, he said that he had always wanted to do painting and intended leaving music.<ref>Los Angeles Times 31 May 1987 [http://articles.latimes.com/1987-05-31/entertainment/ca-9165_1_john-heard Jazz John Heard Carves Out New Career by Leaonard Feather]</ref> Before his retirement he had managed to record with musicians such as Tete Montoliu, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Art Pepper, Clark Terry, Pharoah Sanders, Zoot Sims and Joe Williams.<ref>Pittsburgh Music History [https://sites.google.com/site/pittsburghmusichistory/pittsburgh-music-story/jazz/modern-era/john-heard Pittsburgh Music Story > Jazz > Modern Era > John Heard]</ref>
In an article in the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' dated 31 May 1987, he said that he had always wanted to paint, and planned to leave music.<ref>''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', 31 May 1987 [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-05-31-ca-9165-story.html Jazz John Heard Carves Out New Career by Leaonard Feather]</ref> Before his retirement he had managed to record with musicians such as Spanish pianist [[Tete Montoliu]], Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Art Pepper, Clark Terry, Pharoah Sanders, Zoot Sims and Joe Williams.<ref>Pittsburgh Music History [https://sites.google.com/site/pittsburghmusichistory/pittsburgh-music-story/jazz/modern-era/john-heard Pittsburgh Music Story > Jazz > Modern Era > John Heard]</ref>


===1990s===
===1990s===
After taking time out from music to do painting, he returned to the scene and played with, [[Benny Carter]], Jamal and others.<ref>Historical Dictionary of Jazz by John S. Davis [https://books.google.com/books?id=OqfrqNncZXAC&pg=PA161&dq=%22John+Heard%22+Bass&hl=en&sa=X&ei=CVFXVerHIYru8gWtioHIAg&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAzgK#v=onepage&q=%22John%20Heard%22%20Bass&f=false Page 161 Heard, John William (1938 -)]</ref>
After taking time out from music to do painting, he returned to the scene and played with [[Benny Carter]], Jamal and others.<ref name="books.google.com"/>


===2000s===
===2000s===
In 2005 he had his album ''The Jazz Composer's Songbook'' released on Straight Ahead Records and produced by [[Stewart Levine]] and mastered by [[Bernie Grundman]].<ref>Discogs [http://www.discogs.com/John-Heard-Co-The-Jazz-Composers-Song-Book/release/3883433 John Heard & Co. – The Jazz Composer's Song Book]</ref>
In 2005, he had his album ''The Jazz Composer's Songbook'' released on Straight Ahead Records and produced by [[Stewart Levine]] and mastered by [[Bernie Grundman]].<ref name="discogs.com">Discogs [http://www.discogs.com/John-Heard-Co-The-Jazz-Composers-Song-Book/release/3883433 John Heard & Co. – The Jazz Composer's Song Book]</ref>


Around the mid-2000s onwards his group The John Heard Trio would play at Charlie O's club in Van Nuys. In 2005, the group consisted of John Heard on bass, Tom Garvin on piano and Roy McCurdy on drums. At the club they played with the likes of Justo Almario and Rickey Woodard.<ref>Jazz Police [http://www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/5264/117/1/2/ August 2005 Live Jazz in Los Angeles Tuesday, 26 May 2015]</ref> Around 2010, the group consisted of Heard on bass, Andy Langham on piano and Roy McCurdy on drums and later around 2011, Lorca Hart instead of McCurdy was on drums. They would play Fridays and Saturdays there. Some of the musicians they would appear with were trumpet player Scotty Barnhart, trumpet player Ron King, saxophonists Chuck Manning, Don Menza, Lanny Morgan and guitarist Thom Rotella.<ref>All About Jazz 2010-05-10 [http://news.allaboutjazz.com/legendary-john-heard-returns-to-charlie-os.php Legendary John Heard Returns to Charlie O's]</ref><ref>Healdsburg Jazz Festival 7 April 2011 [http://www.healdsburgjazzfestival.org/zeiltlin-heard-cab-june-11/ "Healdsburg All Stars at the Raven – June 11"]</ref>
Around the mid-2000s onwards, his group The John Heard Trio played at Charlie O's club in Van Nuys. In 2005, the group consisted of John Heard on bass, Tom Garvin on piano and Roy McCurdy on drums. At the club they played with Justo Almario and Rickey Woodard.<ref>Jazz Police [http://www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/5264/117/1/2/ August 2005 Live Jazz in Los Angeles Tuesday, 26 May 2015]</ref> Around 2010, the group consisted of Heard on bass, Andy Langham on piano and Roy McCurdy on drums and later around 2011, Lorca Hart instead of McCurdy was on drums. They would play Fridays and Saturdays there. Some of the musicians they would appear with were trumpet player Scotty Barnhart, trumpet player Ron King, saxophonists Chuck Manning, Don Menza, Lanny Morgan and guitarist Thom Rotella.<ref>All About Jazz 2010-05-10 [http://news.allaboutjazz.com/legendary-john-heard-returns-to-charlie-os.php Legendary John Heard Returns to Charlie O's]</ref><ref>Healdsburg Jazz Festival 7 April 2011 [http://www.healdsburgjazzfestival.org/zeiltlin-heard-cab-june-11/ "Healdsburg All Stars at the Raven – June 11"]</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
===LPs===

* [[Heard Ranier Ferguson]] – ''[[Heard Ranier Ferguson (album)|Heard Ranier Ferguson]]'' – [[ITI Records]] – JL 003 – 1983<ref>Discogs [http://www.discogs.com/Heard-Ranier-Ferguson-Heard-Ranier-Ferguson/release/3454224 Heard* – Ranier* – Ferguson* – Heard Ranier Ferguson]</ref>
===LP===
* [[Heard Ranier Ferguson]] – ''Heard Ranier Ferguson'' – [[ITI Records]] – JL 003 – 1983<ref>Discogs [http://www.discogs.com/Heard-Ranier-Ferguson-Heard-Ranier-Ferguson/release/3454224 Heard* – Ranier* – Ferguson* – Heard Ranier Ferguson]</ref>
* John Heard & Co. – ''The Jazz Composer's Songbook'' – Straight Ahead Records – SAR102 (180gram) 2005<ref>Discogs [http://www.discogs.com/John-Heard-Co-The-Jazz-Composers-Song-Book/release/3880845 John Heard & Co. – The Jazz Composer's Song Book]</ref>
* John Heard & Co. – ''The Jazz Composer's Songbook'' – Straight Ahead Records – SAR102 (180gram) 2005<ref>Discogs [http://www.discogs.com/John-Heard-Co-The-Jazz-Composers-Song-Book/release/3880845 John Heard & Co. – The Jazz Composer's Song Book]</ref>


===CD===
===CDs===
* John Heard & Co. – ''The Jazz Composer's Song Book'' – Straight Ahead Records – SAR102 (Hybrid, Dual Disc, Side1: CD, Side2: DVD) 2005<ref>Discogs [http://www.discogs.com/John-Heard-Co-The-Jazz-Composers-Song-Book/release/3883433 John Heard & Co. – The Jazz Composer's Song Book]</ref>
* John Heard & Co. – ''The Jazz Composer's Song Book'' – Straight Ahead Records – SAR102 (Hybrid, Dual Disc, Side1: CD, Side2: DVD) 2005<ref name="discogs.com"/>
* Evan Hartzell Trio - [https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/songs-about-love-nature-featuring-john-heard-laura/332475509 Songs About Love and Nature feat. John Heard and Laura Alvarez] -LJD002(lejazzdiscos) 2009


==Appearances (selective)==
==Appearances (selective)==

* The George Duke Trio – ''[[Jean-Luc Ponty Experience with the George Duke Trio]]'' – 1969
* The George Duke Trio – ''[[Jean-Luc Ponty Experience with the George Duke Trio]]'' – 1969
* George Duke - ''[[The Inner Source]]'' - 1971
* [[Moacir Santos]] – ''[[Maestro (Moacir Santos album)|Maestro]]'' – 1972
* [[Moacir Santos]] – ''[[Maestro (Moacir Santos album)|Maestro]]'' – 1972
* [[Cal Tjader]] – ''Live at the Funky Quarters'' - 1972
* Moacir Santos – [[Saudade (Moacir Santos album)|Saudade]] 1974
* Cal Tjader – ''Puttin' It Together'' - 1973
* Cal Tjader and [[Charlie Byrd]] – ''Tambu'' - 1973
* Cal Tjader – ''Last Bolero in Berkeley'' - 1973
* George Duke - ''[[Faces in Reflection]]'' - 1974
* George Duke - ''[[Feel_(George_Duke_album)|Feel]]'' - 1974
* Moacir Santos – [[Saudade (Moacir Santos album)|Saudade]] - 1974
* [[Count Basie]] and [[Zoot Sims]] – ''[[Basie & Zoot]]'' – 1975
* [[Count Basie]] and [[Zoot Sims]] – ''[[Basie & Zoot]]'' – 1975
* Joe Henderson – ''[[Canyon Lady]]'' – 1975
* Joe Henderson – ''[[Canyon Lady]]'' – 1975
Line 81: Line 90:
* Count Basie – ''[[Basie Jam 3]]'' – 1976
* Count Basie – ''[[Basie Jam 3]]'' – 1976
* [[Lew Tabackin]] and [[Warne Marsh]] - ''[[Tenor Gladness]]'' - 1976
* [[Lew Tabackin]] and [[Warne Marsh]] - ''[[Tenor Gladness]]'' - 1976
* [[Harry Edison]] – ''[[Edison's Lights]]'' (Pablo, 1976)
* Blue Mitchell – ''[[Stablemates (album)|Stablemates]]'' – 1977
* Blue Mitchell – ''[[Stablemates (album)|Stablemates]]'' – 1977
* Count Basie – ''[[Kansas City 5]]'' – 1977
* Count Basie – ''[[Kansas City 5]]'' – 1977
Line 90: Line 100:
* Ira Sullivan - ''[[Multimedia (album)|Multimedia]]'' (Galaxy, 1978 [1982])
* Ira Sullivan - ''[[Multimedia (album)|Multimedia]]'' (Galaxy, 1978 [1982])
* [[Toshiko Akiyoshi]] – ''[[Toshiko Plays Billy Strayhorn]]'' – 1978
* [[Toshiko Akiyoshi]] – ''[[Toshiko Plays Billy Strayhorn]]'' – 1978
* [[Ella Fitzgerald]] – ''[[Dream Dancing (album)|Dream Dancing]]'' – 1978
* [[Ella Fitzgerald]] – ''[[Dream Dancing (Ella Fitzgerald album)|Dream Dancing]]'' – 1978
* Oscar Peterson and Count Basie – ''[[Count Basie Meets Oscar Peterson – The Timekeepers]]'' – 1978
* Oscar Peterson and Count Basie – ''[[Count Basie Meets Oscar Peterson – The Timekeepers]]'' – 1978
* [[Zoot Sims|John Haley Sims]] and Harry Sweets Edison – ''[[Just Friends (Zoot Sims and Harry Edison album)|Just Friends]]'' – 1978
* [[B.B. King]] – ''[[Let the Good Times Roll (album)|Let the Good Times Roll]]'' – 1979
* [[B.B. King]] – ''[[Let the Good Times Roll (album)|Let the Good Times Roll]]'' – 1979
* Ahmad Jamal – ''[[Intervals (Ahmad Jamal album)|Intervals]]'' – 1980
* Ahmad Jamal – ''[[Intervals (Ahmad Jamal album)|Intervals]]'' – 1980
* [[George Cables]] – ''[[Morning Song (George Cables album)|Morning Song]]'' (HighNote, 1980 [released 2008])
* Kenny Burrell – ''[[Moon and Sand]]'' – 1980
* [[Tete Montoliu]] - ''[[Catalonian Nights Vol. 1]]'', ''[[Catalonian Nights Vol. 2]]'', ''[[Catalonian Nights Vol. 3]]'' - 1980
* [[Tete Montoliu]] - ''[[Catalonian Nights Vol. 1]]'', ''[[Catalonian Nights Vol. 2]]'', ''[[Catalonian Nights Vol. 3]]'' - 1980
* Oscar Peterson and Count Basie – ''[[Night Rider (album)|Night Rider]]'' – 1980
* Oscar Peterson and Count Basie – ''[[Night Rider (album)|Night Rider]]'' – 1980
* Count Basie – ''[[Kansas City 7]]'' – 1980
* Count Basie – ''[[Kansas City 7]]'' – 1980
* Gene Harris – ''[[Live at Otter Crest]]'' – 1981
* [[Eddie Vinson|Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson]] – ''[[I Want a Little Girl]]'' (Pablo, 1981)
* Gene Harris – ''Hot Lips'' – 1982
* Count Basie – ''[[Mostly Blues...and Some Others]]'' – 1983
* Count Basie – ''[[Mostly Blues...and Some Others]]'' – 1983
* Pharoah Sanders – ''[[Heart is a Melody]]'' – 1983
* Pharoah Sanders – ''[[Heart is a Melody]]'' – 1983
* Tete Montoliu - ''[[Carmina (album)|Carmina]]'' - 1984
* Tete Montoliu - ''[[Carmina (album)|Carmina]]'' - 1984
* [[George Cables]] – ''[[Phantom of the City]]'' – 1985
* George Cables – ''[[Phantom of the City]]'' – 1985
* [[Bobby Hutcherson]] - ''[[Color Schemes (album)|Color Schemes]]'' - 1985
* [[Buddy Montgomery]] – ''[[Ties of Love]]'' – 1986
* George Cables – ''[[By George (album)|By George]]'' – 1987
* George Cables – ''[[By George (album)|By George]]'' – 1987
* [[Bud Shank]] – ''[[That Old Feeling (Bud Shank album)|That Old Feeling]]'' 1986
* [[Bud Shank]] – ''[[That Old Feeling (Bud Shank album)|That Old Feeling]]'' (Contemporary, 1986)
*Bud Shank – ''[[Serious Swingers]]'' (Contemporary, 1987) with [[Bill Perkins (saxophonist)|Bill Perkins]]
* Bud Shank – ''[[Serious Swingers]]'' (Contemporary, 1987) with [[Bill Perkins (saxophonist)|Bill Perkins]]
* [[Frank Morgan (musician)|Frank Morgan]] Bud Shank Quintet – ''[[Quiet Fire (Frank Morgan and Bud Shank album)|Quiet Fire]]'' (Contemporary, 1987 [1991])
* [[Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band]] – ''[[Sumi-e (Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band album)|Sumi-e]]'' – 1993
* [[Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band]] – ''[[Sumi-e (Toshiko Akiyoshi – Lew Tabackin Big Band album)|Sumi-e]]'' – 1993
* [[Hugh Masekela]] – ''[[Almost Like Being in Jazz]]'' – 2005
* [[Hugh Masekela]] – ''[[Almost Like Being in Jazz]]'' – 2005


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Heard, John}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Heard, John}}
[[Category:American jazz musicians]]
[[Category:1938 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American artists]]
[[Category:2021 deaths]]
[[Category:21st-century American sculptors]]
[[Category:21st-century American sculptors]]
[[Category:21st-century American male artists]]
[[Category:American jazz musicians]]
[[Category:American male sculptors]]
[[Category:American male sculptors]]
[[Category:1938 births]]
[[Category:Musicians from Pittsburgh]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Heard Ranier Ferguson members]]

Latest revision as of 17:24, 16 November 2024

John Heard
Birth nameJohn William Heard
Born(1938-07-03)July 3, 1938
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
DiedDecember 10, 2021(2021-12-10) (aged 83)
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Jazz musician
artist
Instrument(s)Double bass
Electric bass
Years active1960s–2021
LabelsITI Records

John William Heard (July 3, 1938 – December 10, 2021)[1] was an American bass player and artist. His recording credits include albums with Pharoah Sanders, George Duke, Oscar Peterson, Count Basie, Zoot Sims, Ahmad Jamal, Frank Morgan, George Cables. His professional jazz performance career lasted from the 1960s to the early 2010s, during which he also worked as a visual artist, producing drawings, paintings, and sculptures.

Background

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He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.[1]

He also played saxophone in his early years.[2][3] He began playing bass at the age of 14. His professional career began in a band that included sax player Booker Ervin, drummer J.C. Moses, pianist Horace Parlan and trumpet player Tommy Turrentine. While in high school, he attended special classes at the Carnegie Museum of Art.

In 1958, he joined the United States Air Force and was sent to Germany. Because of his art experience he was given a job of designing posters for events. He also did some art teaching, teaching the wives of officers. He left the Air Force in 1961 and enrolled at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. He returned to music and went to Buffalo and later to California.[4]

On December 10, 2021, Heard died at the age of 83.[5]

Art

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In the 1980s, he had converted a North Hollywood garage into a studio and was spending much time there painting. He said that he was hanging out with Santa Monica-based sculptor Jim Casey, who was teaching him the way he wanted to learn. 18 months prior to his being interviewed for the article he had taken up sculpting. His first one was a bust of Duke Ellington, then one of Billy Eckstine. At the time he was working on one of Louis Armstrong.[6]

Examples of his work are held in the Oakland Museum of California. They include drawings of Bud Powell and Milt Jackson.[7][8]

Musical career

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1960s

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Playing double-bass, he has worked with Tommy Turrentine and Al Jarreau from the mid to late 1960s.[1] Also in the late 1960s he worked with Jean-Luc Ponty, Sonny Rollins[1] and Wes Montgomery.

1970s

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In the 1970s, he performed with Toshiko Akiyoshi, Count Basie, Louie Bellson, John Collins, Joe Henderson, Ahmad Jamal, Blue Mitchell and Oscar Peterson.[1]

1980s

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In the 1980s, he performed with Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Buddy Montgomery and Pharoah Sanders.[9]

In 1981, he played bass on the Blue Balkan album by pianist Larry Vuckovich. Other musicians to play on the album were vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson and drummer Eddie More.[10] Heard also played with Vuckovich's band on their first "Club Date" show on PBS, which was picked up by at least 120 cities in the U.S. In addition to Heard and Vuckovitch, the band included Tom Harrell on trumpet, and Sherman Ferguson on drums. As an unexpected bonus, the group was joined by saxophonist Charles McPherson for their last piece. The show's producer Paul Marshall spotted him in the audience, and asked him if he had his saxophone which he did and asked him to join them.[11]

In 1983, he joined Tom Ranier and Sherman Ferguson to create the group Heard, Ranier, Ferguson, which released an eponymous album on the ITI Records label in 1983. The album art included a lithograph of Count Basie that was drawn by John Heard.[12][13] An article in Billboard's October 1983 issue, indicated that he was going to be used as a graphic artist for the label. He was to be marketed as both an artist and a musician.[14]

In an article in the Los Angeles Times dated 31 May 1987, he said that he had always wanted to paint, and planned to leave music.[15] Before his retirement he had managed to record with musicians such as Spanish pianist Tete Montoliu, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Art Pepper, Clark Terry, Pharoah Sanders, Zoot Sims and Joe Williams.[16]

1990s

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After taking time out from music to do painting, he returned to the scene and played with Benny Carter, Jamal and others.[9]

2000s

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In 2005, he had his album The Jazz Composer's Songbook released on Straight Ahead Records and produced by Stewart Levine and mastered by Bernie Grundman.[17]

Around the mid-2000s onwards, his group The John Heard Trio played at Charlie O's club in Van Nuys. In 2005, the group consisted of John Heard on bass, Tom Garvin on piano and Roy McCurdy on drums. At the club they played with Justo Almario and Rickey Woodard.[18] Around 2010, the group consisted of Heard on bass, Andy Langham on piano and Roy McCurdy on drums and later around 2011, Lorca Hart instead of McCurdy was on drums. They would play Fridays and Saturdays there. Some of the musicians they would appear with were trumpet player Scotty Barnhart, trumpet player Ron King, saxophonists Chuck Manning, Don Menza, Lanny Morgan and guitarist Thom Rotella.[19][20]

Discography

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LPs

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CDs

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Appearances (selective)

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 195. ISBN 0-85112-580-8.
  2. ^ Secondhand songs Artist John Heard
  3. ^ Allmusic Artist Biography by Scott Yanow
  4. ^ All About Jazz John Heard
  5. ^ Barnhart, Scotty (10 December 2021). "RIP John Heard..." Facebook. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  6. ^ Los Angeles Times, 31 May 1987 Jazz John Heard Carves Out New Career by Leaonard Feather
  7. ^ Oakland Museum of California OMCA Collections african american art drawing figure, male Bud Powell
  8. ^ Oakland Museum of California OMCA Collections african american art drawing figure, male Milt Jackson
  9. ^ a b Historical Dictionary of Jazz by John S. Davis Page 161 Heard, John William (1938 -)
  10. ^ Berkeleyside 3 October 2013 Larry Vuckovich: He’s got those Balkan Blues again by Andrew Gilbert
  11. ^ Larry Vuckovich website Photo Gallery: Group Dates Club Date (PBS)
  12. ^ WorldCat Heard, Ranier, Ferguson
  13. ^ Discogs Heard* – Ranier* – Ferguson* – Heard Ranier Ferguson
  14. ^ Billboard 15 October 1983 Page 36, Jazz – Fledgling ITA Label Maps Ambitious Plans
  15. ^ Los Angeles Times, 31 May 1987 Jazz John Heard Carves Out New Career by Leaonard Feather
  16. ^ Pittsburgh Music History Pittsburgh Music Story > Jazz > Modern Era > John Heard
  17. ^ a b Discogs John Heard & Co. – The Jazz Composer's Song Book
  18. ^ Jazz Police August 2005 Live Jazz in Los Angeles Tuesday, 26 May 2015
  19. ^ All About Jazz 2010-05-10 Legendary John Heard Returns to Charlie O's
  20. ^ Healdsburg Jazz Festival 7 April 2011 "Healdsburg All Stars at the Raven – June 11"
  21. ^ Discogs Heard* – Ranier* – Ferguson* – Heard Ranier Ferguson
  22. ^ Discogs John Heard & Co. – The Jazz Composer's Song Book