Heard Ranier Ferguson
{{Short description|Jazz trio of John Heard, Tom Ranier, and Sherman Ferguson}}
{{Lead too short|date=November 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Heard Ranier Ferguson
| image =
| origin =
| genre = Jazz
| years_active = 1980s
| label = ITI
| associated_acts =
| 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.
Background up to 1983
The trio was founded by the three members, Heard, Ranier and Ferguson.all.about.jazz [http://www.allaboutjazz.com/odds-n-ends-by-jack-bowers.php?&pg=2 Odds 'n Ends By Jack Bowers, Published: February 6, 2006] In 1982, they were referred to by the Jazz Times as "the most captivating new jazz combo in town".Jazz Times, 1982 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=jxNFAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Heard+Ranier+Ferguson%22Man+o+Man Page 39]Jazz Times, 1982 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=jxNFAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Heard+Ranier+Ferguson%22Man+o+Man Page 192]
=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.all.about.jazz [http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/johnheard Musician profile - John Heard] He had played and worked with Al Jarreau, Sonny Rollins and Wes Montgomery in the 1960s. In 1969 he moved to Los Angeles.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 -)]
In the 1970s he performed with Toshiko Akiyoshi, Count Basie, Louie Bellson, John Collins, Joe Henderson, Ahmad Jamal, Blue Mitchell and Oscar Peterson.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 -)] 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.JAZZDISCO.org [http://www.jazzdisco.org/pablo-records/discography-1979-1982/ Pablo Records Discography: 1979-1982]
=Tom Rainer=
Prior to joining the trio, Tom Ranier had recorded some solo albums. His album Ranier was released in 1976.Discogs [http://www.discogs.com/Tom-Ranier-Ranier/release/1371413 Tom Ranier – Ranier] He also recorded another album Night Music that was released in 1980.Discogs [http://www.discogs.com/Tom-Ranier-Night-Music/release/6022917 Music Is Medicine – MIM 9042] He was also on an album by the Jimmy Mosher Quartet in 1982.Discogs [http://www.discogs.com/Jimmy-Mosher-Quartet-Featuring-Tom-Ranier-Joel-DiBartolo-And-Peter-Donald-A-Chick-From-Chelsea/release/3843916 Jimmy Mosher Quartet Featuring Tom Ranier, Joel DiBartolo And Peter Donald – A Chick From Chelsea]
=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.Los Angeles Times January 31, 2006 [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-jan-31-me-ferguson31-story.html Sherman Ferguson, 61; Drummer Played With Top Names in Jazz]Jazz HOUSE.org [http://www.jazzhouse.org/gone/lastpost2.php3?edit=1138041604 The Last Post, L.A. session drummer, teacher by Todd S. Jenkins]
==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.Billboard October 15, 1983 [http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/80s/1983/BB-1983-10-15.pdf Page 36, Jazz - Fledgling ITA Label Maps Ambitious Plans] It was released on compact disc in 1987.Billboard October 24, 1987 [http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-10-24.pdf Page 54 Album Releases] On the album, they covered Duke Ellington's "Isfahan" and a memorable version of "Limehouse Blues".The Pittsburgh Press Thursday November 17, 1983 [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19831117&id=i_EdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VmIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6893,844550&hl=en Music/Film, Trio dominates electronic 'Road Games' by Bob Karlovits, "Heard Ranier Ferguson:" ITI Records] 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.Jazz Monthly [http://www.jazzmonthly.com/breaking_news/pages/index_breaking_news.html Breaking News ITI Records Resurfaces After Many Years Dormant] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030082854/http://www.jazzmonthly.com/breaking_news/pages/index_breaking_news.html |date=2013-10-30 }}
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,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] He announced his retirement from music in favor of pursuing his art career.Los Angeles Times May 31, 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] In the 1990s, he had returned to the scene and played with, Benny Carter, Jamal and others.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 -)] 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.Discogs [http://www.discogs.com/John-Heard-Co-The-Jazz-Composers-Song-Book/release/3883433 John Heard & Co. – The Jazz Composer's Song Book]
In 1986 Tom Rainer had done studio work for shows like The Young and the Restless" and Noises Off in 1992.The Usual Suspects [http://www.lastudiomusicians.info/tomranier.htm Tom Ranier] Around 1994, he was playing live with jazz veteran Terry Gibbs at Ojai's Wheeler Hot Springs.Los Angeles Times March 03, 1994 [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-03-03-vl-29417-story.html 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] 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).Red Carpet Jazz [http://www.redcarpetjazz.com/?p=932 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.The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, Department of Ethnomusicology [http://www.ethnomusic.ucla.edu/ucla-obituary-sherman-ferguson UCLA Obituary: Sherman Ferguson] At the time of his death, Ferguson had appeared on over 80 recorded albums.Los Angeles Times January 31, 2006 [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-jan-31-me-ferguson31-story.html Sherman Ferguson, 61; Drummer Played With Top Names in Jazz]