A celebration of performer, audio engineer, teacher, and mentor, George Heid, Sr.
Marty Ashby is joined by George Heid III to share special stories about his father, and also from others in the Heid family, including the brothers of George Heid, Sr. Jim and Bill Heid.
Music played and produced by members of the Heid family, including Sonny Barbato, Bill Heid, and early 78’s by Eddie Jefferson.
Friday night and Sunday night at 6, Saturday afternoon at 1 on WZUM, the Pittsburgh Jazz Channel.
A Celebration of Life ceremony for George Edward Heid on Monday, July 10, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, 1815 Metropolitan Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15233 (North Side). The formal program will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the MCG Jazz Music Hall featuring remembrances of George, live music, and special moments from the George Edward Heid oral history from the MCG Jazz Archives. A reception will follow.
To RSVP to attend the ceremony please email rthompson@manchesterbidwell.org or call 412-322-0800.
George Heid, Sr by Jim Heid
For over sixty years, George Edward Heid was an integral part of Pittsburgh’s jazz scene — as a performer, audio engineer, teacher, and mentor.
While growing up in his father’s recording studio, George Heid Productions—where many Pittsburgh jazz masters, including Billy Strayhorn, Erroll Garner and George Benson made their first recordings—he began playing piano. Switching to drums in high school, he went on to play with many of Pittsburgh's jazz greats, including his brother Bill Heid, David Budway, Dwayne Dolphin, Gene Ludwig, Lou Stellute, Sonny Barbato, Dr. Mike Taylor, and Jimmy Ponder.
In the late 1970s, George expanded his recording and tape duplication business to offer pro audio installation and sales. Over the next twenty years, he specified and installed audio systems for numerous local radio stations and colleges as well as Heinz Hall, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Benedum Center, Van Gelder Studios, Audiomation Studios, and Unitel Mobile Video.
But he was proudest of the installations he did at Pittsburgh jazz venues, including Graffiti, Dizzy’s Club Cafe, The Balcony, and Dowe’s on 9th. In 1985, George was contacted by The Manchester Craftsmen's Guild to specify and install a system for recording the Guild’s music events. During his tenure as chief recording engineer, he recorded over 100 concerts, including dates by Wynton Marsalis, McCoy Tyner, Stanley Turrentine, Ray Brown, Betty Carter, Max Roach, Art Blakey, New York Voices, Joe Negri, and Roger Humphries, Sr., among many others.
George Edward Heid with transcription disc
George Edward Heid with George Heid III at the Monterey Jazz Festival
George Edward Heid with George Heid III
George Edward Heid with Max Roach