mentor to younger musicians. In 1983, he again recorded an album as leader, accompanied by saxophonist George Benson, pianist Claude Black, and Dave Young on bass. In 1981, Heard started a 13 piece big band which played around the state and at festivals, often featuring Dizzy Gillespie and other colleagues. This group recorded in 1986 and continued performing regularly until his death. Heard died of a heart attack at the age of 71 in Royal Oak, Michigan. His legacy is honored with a yearly jazz drumming competition held as part of the Detroit Jazz Festival. Discography As leader/co-leader 1956: Calypso For Dancing (Philips (Australia)) 1958: This is Me, J. C. Heard (Argo) 1964: Live At The Lighthouse 1964 (Fresh Sound) with Bill Perkins 1983: The Detroit Jazz Tradition - Alive & Well (Parkwood) 1986: Some of This, Some of That! - JC Heard Orchestra (Hiroko) 1988: Mr. B. with J.C. Heard - Partners in Time - with George Benson (Blind Pig Records) 1980s: J.C. Heard Featuring Charlie Gabriel and Friends (Gabriel Historical Society) As sideman With Toshiko Akiyoshi Toshiko's Piano (Norgaran, 1953) With Gene Ammons Nice an' Cool (Moodsville, 1961) Jug (Prestige, 1961) With Shorty Baker and Doc Cheatham Shorty & Doc (Swingville, 1961) With Benny Carter Cosmopolite (Norgran, 1952 [1955]) With Doc Cheatham Hey Doc! (Black & Blue, 1975) With Arnett Cobb Sizzlin' (Prestige, 1960) Ballads by Cobb (Moodsvile, 1960) With Roy Eldridge Rockin' Chair (Clef, 1951) With Bud Freeman The Bud Freeman All-Stars featuring Shorty Baker (Swingville, 1960) with Shorty Baker With Dizzy Gillespie Dizzy Gillespie and Stuff Smith (Verve, 1957) Sittin' In (Verve, 1957) With Al Grey Al Grey Featuring Arnett Cobb (Black & Blue, 1977) With Norman Granz Norman Granz' Jam Session, #1 (Clef MGC 601) this and the following album features Benny Carter, Johnny Hodges, Charlie Parker, Ben Webster and others Norman Granz' Jam Session, #2 (Clef MGC 602) With Johnny Hodges In a Tender Mood (Norgran, 1952 [1955]) The Blues (Norgran, 1952–54, [1955]) With Claude Hopkins Let's Jam (Swingville, 1961) with Buddy Tate and Joe Thomas With Illinois Jacquet Illinois Jacquet Quartet (Storyville, 1978) God Bless My Solo (Black & Blue, 1978) With Ellis Larkins A Smooth One (Black & Blue, 1977) With Howard McGhee Howard McGhee and Milt Jackson (Savoy, 1948 [1955]) With Oscar Peterson JATP Lausanne 1953 (TCB 02152, 1953) Lausanne 1953 (TCB 02162, 1953) With Sammy Price Fire (Black & Blue,