Heard Ranier Ferguson

Heard Ranier Ferguson
Genres	Jazz
Years active	1980s
Labels	ITI
Past members	John Heard Tom Ranier Sherman Ferguson

Heard Ranier Ferguson was a jazz trio consisting of bass player John Heard, pianist Tom Ranier, and drummer Sherman Ferguson. They were active in the 1980s and played frequently at Howard Rumsey's concerts at the Redondo Beach pier.

The trio was founded by the three members, Heard, Ranier and Ferguson. In 1982, they were referred to by the Jazz Times as "the most captivating new jazz combo in town".

In addition to playing bass, John Heard was a talented artist. In the late 1950s while still in the air force, he held art classes and taught art to the wives of the officers in the force where he picked up some extra money. After leaving the air force in 1961, he enrolled at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. He had played and worked with Al Jarreau, Sonny Rollins and Wes Montgomery in the 1960s. In 1969 he moved to Los Angeles.

In the 1970s he performed with Toshiko Akiyoshi, Count Basie, Louie Bellson, John Collins, Joe Henderson, Ahmad Jamal, Blue Mitchell and Oscar Peterson. In 1979 he recorded with the Oscar Peterson Septet, playing on the Original Score From The Silent Partner, in 1979 with the Clark Terry Sextet on Yes, The Blues and the Zoot Sims Quintet on Passion. In 1982 he recorded with Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Harry Edison and the Al Grey Sextet.

Prior to joining the trio, Tom Ranier had recorded some solo albums. His album Ranier was released in 1976. He also recorded another album Night Music that was released in 1980. He was also on an album by the Jimmy Mosher Quartet in 1982.

Originally from Philadelphia, Sherman Ferguson had started his career in the mid 1960s. His early influences were drummers Max Roach and Roy Haynes. He had worked with Charles Earland. In the early 1970s he worked with guitarist Pat Martino, playing on his Desperado, Prestige and Consciousness albums. In 1976, he moved to Los Angeles where he supported Kenny Burrell.

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Wikipedia