J.C Heard

Born Oct 8, 1917 in Dayton, OH 

Died Sep 27, 1988 in Royal Oak, MI

Full Name James Charles Heard 

J.C. Heard was a very supportive drummer versatile enough to fit comfortably into swing, bop and blues settings. 

Heard's first important job playing drums was with Teddy Wilson's big band in 1939. He went on to work with Wilson's sextet and with Coleman Hawkins and Benny Carter. 

1942-45 Heard was with Cab Calloway's Orchestra

1946-47 recorded with top bop musicians, led his own band at Cafe Society was a member of Erroll Garner's trio and toured with Jazz at the Philharmonic. 

1953-57 he spent time in Japan and Australia, 

1957-66 he freelanced in New York during (including playing with the Coleman Hawkins-Roy Eldridge Quintet and in 1961 with Teddy Wilson's trio) and then in 1966 J.C. 

Heard moved to Detroit where he worked as a bandleader and a mentor to younger musicians into the mid-'80s