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John Heard Tribute: Master Jazz Musician and Artist

THE 222 is a new live performance and event space located in Healdsburg, California (70 miles north of San Francisco.) On Saturday, June 25, 2022 at 7:00 PM, THE 222 will present a very special evening in honor of the late, world-renowned jazz bassist and visual artist, John Heard (July 3, 1938 - December 8, 2021.) The heartfelt tribute will include a multi-media slide remembrance, music by The John Heard Tribute Trio, and a rare exhibit of Heard's art gathered from private collections. The trio is comprised of John's long time trio musicians - pianist Danny Grissett and drummer Lorca Hart. Essiet Essiet will fill the bass chair. Special guest saxophonist Ralph Moore will join them. Grissett is coming from his home in Vienna for this concert. An exhibition of Heard's paintings and sculptures will be on display for two days, June 25 and 26 at the venue.

Attendees can share their thoughts and stories of John, to be captured on video as a remembrance for John's grandchildren. Three generations of the Heard family will be present. For those not able to attend but with stories to add to the family archive, they can be emailed to: rsvpjohnheard0703@gmail.com.

This event was envisioned by Jessica Felix and the Heard Family, including John's wife, their daughter and her husband and the three grandchildren.

Jessica Felix, founder and Artistic Director of the Healdsburg Jazz Festival from 1999 until her retirement in 2020 is now Jazz Programmer for THE 222. From Felix, "It is a privilege to produce this event celebrating such a remarkable and talented man! John Heard was a great bassist and artist, and a dear friend for over 30 years. His trio with Danny Grissett and Lorca Hart played the Hotel Healdsburg lobby for six years straight during the annual Healdsburg Jazz Festival. Many in Healdsburg will remember the incredible after-concert sessions where other festival musicians would sit in until the wee hours. We'll be surrounded by his artwork and with music that honors him, and with a few more surprises in store, this will be a fitting tribute to John Heard - a joyful celebration and an evening to remember!"

Tickets are available now. For more information, to buy tickets or to become a member, visit www.the222.org

About John Heard
John lived his life in much the same manner that he played, with an uncompromising, improvisational style. His musical career spanned over fifty years, working with the likes of Count Basie, Ahmad Jamal, Oscar Peterson, Cal Tjader, BB King, and many others. When asked about the nature of his music, John concluded, "Jazz improvisation is a series of miraculous recoveries." In addition to his jazz career, John was an accomplished visual artist for most of his life and dedicated the last decades to painting and sculpture. Though often abstract in nature, his artwork included realistic portraits of many jazz legends.

 
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