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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.

Background up to 1983

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".

John Heard

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.

Tom Rainer

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.

Sherman Ferguson

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.

Album

Their 1983 album, Heard Ranier Ferguson was released on ITI Records, a California based label founded by Michael Dion. Their album was one of the labels first releases. It was released on compact disc in 1987. On the album, they covered Duke Ellington's "Isfahan" and a memorable version of "Limehouse Blues". It was announced on the Jazz Monthly website in 2012 that their album along with others by Ruth Price, Tom Garvin, Bill Mays and Red Mitchell were to be re-released that year as the ITI Records back catalogue was being released through Warrant Music.

Later years

John Heard, by 1980 having recorded with artists such as Tete Montoliu, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Art Pepper, Clark Terry, Pharoah Sanders, Zoot Sims and Joe Williams, He announced his retirement from music in favor of pursuing his art career. In the 1990s, he had returned to the scene and played with, Benny Carter, Jamal and others. In 2005, his album The Jazz Composer's Songbook was released on Straight Ahead Records and produced by Stewart Levine and mastered by Bernie Grundman.

In 1986 Tom Rainer had done studio work for shows like The Young and the Restless" and Noises Off in 1992. Around 1994, he was playing live with jazz veteran Terry Gibbs at Ojai's Wheeler Hot Springs. In the late 2000s he was doing live shows with his group, The Tom Ranier Trio (Tom Rainer and the rhythm section from Dancing with the Stars).

Sherman Ferguson died on January 22nd 2006 from complications relating to his diabetes condition. At the time of his death, Ferguson had appeared on over 80 recorded albums.

Discography

References

1. all.about.jazz Odds 'n Ends By Jack Bowers, Published: February 6, 2006
2. Jazz Times, 1982 - Page 39
3. Jazz Times, 1982 - Page 192
4. all.about.jazz Musician profile - John Heard
5. Historical Dictionary of Jazz by John S. Davis Page 161 Heard, John William (1938 -)
6. Historical Dictionary of Jazz by John S. Davis Page 161 Heard, John William (1938 -)
7. JAZZDISCO.org Pablo Records Discography: 1979-1982
8. Discogs Tom Ranier – Ranier
9. Discogs Music Is Medicine – MIM 9042
10. Discogs Jimmy Mosher Quartet Featuring Tom Ranier, Joel DiBartolo And Peter Donald – A Chick From Chelsea
11. Los Angeles Times January 31, 2006 Sherman Ferguson, 61; Drummer Played With Top Names in Jazz
12. Jazz HOUSE.org The Last Post, L.A. session drummer, teacher by Todd S. Jenkins
13. Billboard October 15, 1983 Page 36, Jazz - Fledgling ITA Label Maps Ambitious Plans
14. Billboard October 24, 1987 Page 54 Album Releases
15. The Pittsburgh Press Thursday November 17, 1983 Music/Film, Trio dominates electronic 'Road Games' by Bob Karlovits, "Heard Ranier Ferguson:" ITI Records
16. Jazz Monthly Breaking News ITI Records Resurfaces After Many Years Dormant Archived 2013-10-30 at the Wayback Machine
17. Pittsburgh Music History Pittsburgh Music Story > Jazz > Modern Era > John Heard
18. Los Angeles Times May 31, 1987 Jazz John Heard Carves Out New Career by Leaonard Feather
19. Historical Dictionary of Jazz by John S. Davis Page 161 Heard, John William (1938 -)
20. Discogs John Heard & Co. – The Jazz Composer's Song Book
21. The Usual Suspects Tom Ranier
22. Los Angeles Times March 03, 1994 Veteran Vibes Player Gibbs Hits High Notes : At 69, and with dozens of albums behind him, he's still going strong. His quartet will play in Ojai on Sunday by Josef Woodard
23. Red Carpet Jazz Tom Rainer and the rhythm section from Dancing with the Stars
24. The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, Department of Ethnomusicology UCLA Obituary: Sherman Ferguson
25. Los Angeles Times January 31, 2006 Sherman Ferguson, 61; Drummer Played With Top Names in Jazz
26. University of the District of Columbia Felix E. Grant Jazz Archives, Grant Collection Inventory List, Grant 6151
27. Discogs Heard* - Ranier* - Ferguson* – Heard Ranier Ferguson
28. Rate Your Music Back-to-Back
29. Schwann Compact Disc Catalog Page 324
30. qobuz Back to Back (Re-Release)
31. ITI Music Corporation RELEASES > "Back to Back" Heard Rainer Ferguson
32. All Music Heard-Ranier-Ferguson Back to Back (CD - ITI# 201201)

• Musical trios from California
• Jazz ensembles from California