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Jerry Hey
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Key Information
Jerry Hey (born 1950) is an American trumpeter, flugelhornist, arranger (horns and strings), orchestrator and session musician who has played on hundreds of commercial recordings,[1][2] including Michael Jackson's Thriller,[3] "Rock with You", "Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough", "Workin’ Day and Night"[4] and the flugelhorn solo on Dan Fogelberg's hit "Longer". He has performed with artists such as George Benson, Nik Kershaw, Al Jarreau, Barbra Streisand, Donna Summer, Earth, Wind & Fire, Whitney Houston, Frank Sinatra, George Duke, Lionel Richie, Rufus and Chaka Khan, Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, Patti Austin, Toshiki Kadomatsu, and Yumi Matsutoya.[5][6][7]
He is known as the trumpeter and arranger for Seawind, whose other members have included Gary Grant, Larry Williams and Bill Reichenbach Jr.
Biography
[edit]Jerry Hey was born in 1950 in Dixon, Illinois, to a family of musicians. His mother was a pianist and his father was a trombonist; two older brothers played trombone and tuba. After completing high school, Hey attended the National Music Camp for two summers. While in college, Hey studied under Bill Adam at Indiana University.[8][7]
Hey then relocated to Hawaii to become a member of the band Seawind.[9][7]
In 1976, Hey moved to Los Angeles with Seawind, which then recorded two albums for CTI Records under the direction of Harvey Mason.[9][6]
Gary Grant, who had already been in the city for a year when Hey arrived and was a well-known session player, invited Hey to join him on recording sessions, which helped to launch his career as a studio musician.[9][7]
Soon after arriving in LA, Quincy Jones got in touch with Hey to ask him to play and arrange for Jones's album I Heard That!!. Following that session, Hey and his associates were invited to perform on every one of Quincy's recordings.[9][7] Hey later worked as a musician and arranger with David Foster.[5][6][10]
Hey is the uncle of American keyboardist, songwriter, producer, arranger and musical director Henry Hey.
He composed and arranged the song "Jedi Rocks" for the 1997 Special Edition re-release of Return of the Jedi. He co-produced four songs on Lisa Stansfield's 2014 album Seven.
Hey has received 6 Grammy Awards and 11 nominations.[11]
Awards
[edit]Grammy Awards
[edit]Source:[12]
- 1981 – Best Instrumental Arrangement
- Jerry Hey & Quincy Jones (arrangers) for "Dinorah, Dinorah" performed by George Benson
- 1982 – Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s)
- Jerry Hey & Quincy Jones (arrangers) for "Ai No Corrida" performed by Quincy Jones
- 1983 – Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s)
- Jerry Hey & David Paich, Jeff Porcaro (arrangers) for "Rosanna" performed by Toto
- 1984 – Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or A Television Special
- Michael Boddicker, Irene Cara, Kim Carnes, Douglas Cotler, Keith Forsey, Richard Gilbert, Jerry Hey, Duane Hitchings, Craig Krampf, Ronald Magness, Dennis Matkosky, Giorgio Moroder, Phil Ramone, Michael Sembello, Shandi Sinnamon (composers) for Flashdance performed by various artists
- 1991 – Best Arrangement on an Instrumental
- Jerry Hey, Quincy Jones, Ian Prince & Rod Temperton (arrangers) for "Birdland" performed by Quincy Jones.
- 1991 - Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s)
- Glen Ballard, Jerry Hey, Quincy Jones and Clif Magness (arrangers) for "The Places You Find Love" performed by Quincy Jones
Discography
[edit]This section needs expansion. You can help by adding missing information. (March 2012) |
- I Am (Columbia, 1979)
- Faces (Columbia, 1980)
- Raise! (Columbia, 1981)
- Powerlight (Columbia, 1983)
- Electric Universe (Columbia, 1983)
- Touch the World (Columbia, 1987)
- Heritage (Columbia, 1990)
- Millennium (Warner Bros., 1993)
- In the Name of Love (Rhino, 1997)
- The Promise (Kalimba, 2003)
- Illumination (Sanctuary, 2005)
- Now, Then & Forever (Legacy, 2013)
- Holiday (Legacy, 2014)
With Billy Crystal & Christopher Guest
- "I Hate When That Happens" (A&M Records, 1985)
With The Brothers Johnson
- Blam! (A&M Records, 1978)
- Light Up The Night (A&M Records, 1980)
- Winners (A&M Records, 1981)
- Blast! (A&M Records, 1982)
With Luis Miguel
- Soy Como Quiero Ser (Warner, 1987)
- Busca una Mujer (Warner, 1988)
- 20 Años (Warner, 1990)
- Aries (Warner, 1993)
- Segundo Romance (Warner, 1994)
- Nada Es Igual (Warner, 1996)
- Amarte Es Un Placer (Warner, 1999)
- Mis Romances (Warner, 2001)
- 33 (Warner, 2003)
- Cómplices (Warner, 2008)
- Luis Miguel (Warner, 2010)
With Lalo Schifrin
- No One Home (Tabu, 1979)
With Aretha Franklin
- Love All the Hurt Away (Arista, 1981)
- Jump to It (Arista, 1982)
- Aretha (Arista, 1986)
With Elton John
With Olivia Newton-John
- The Rumour (Mercury, 1988)
With Bob Seger
- Like a Rock (Capitol, 1986)
With Kenny Rogers
- The Heart of the Matter (RCA, 1985)
With Syreeta Wright
- Set My Love in Motion (Tamla, 1981)
With Joe Cocker
- Across from Midnight (CMC, 1997)
With Cher
- Prisoner (Casablanca, 1979)
With Dionne Warwick
- Friends in Love (Arista, 1982)
With Cheryl Lynn
- In Love (Columbia, 1979)
- Start Over (Manhattan, 1987)
With Celine Dion
- Falling into You (Columbia, 1996)
With Jon Anderson
- In the City of Angels (Columbia, 1988)
With Patti LaBelle
- Winner in You (MCA, 1986)
With Shelby Lynne
- Love, Shelby (Island, 2001)
With Thelma Houston
- Breakwater Cat (RCA, 1980)
With Selena
- Dreaming of You (EMI, 1995)
With Barry Manilow
- Swing Street (Arista, 1987)
With Taylor Dayne
- Can't Fight Fate (Arista, 1989)
With Patti Austin
- Patti Austin (Qwest, 1984)
- The Real Me (Qwest, 1988)
- That Secret Place (GRP, 1994)
- On the Way to Love (Warner Bros., 2001)
With Michael Bolton
- Time, Love & Tenderness (Columbia, 1991)
- This Is The Time: The Christmas Album (Columbia, 1996)
With Jeffrey Osborne
- Jeffrey Osborne (A&M, 1982)
- Stay with Me Tonight (A&M, 1983)
- One Love: One Dream (A&M, 1988)
With Lisa Stansfield
- Real Love (Arista, 1991)
- Lisa Stansfield (Arista, 1997)
With Anita Baker
- Rhythm of Love (Elektra, 1994)
- My Everything (Blue Note, 2004)
With Stevie Nicks
- The Other Side of the Mirror (Modern, 1989)
With Christopher Cross
- Every Turn of the World (Warner Bros., 1985)
With Dan Fogelberg
- Phoenix (Epic, 1979)
- The Innocent Age (Epic, 1981)
- The Wild Places (Epic, 1990)
With Tanya Tucker
- Should I Do It (MCA Records, 1981)
With David Crosby
- Oh Yes I Can (A&M, 1989)
With Kenny Loggins
- Back to Avalon (Columbia, 1988)
With Minnie Riperton
- Minnie (Capitol, 1979)
With Steve Cropper
- Playin' My Thang (MCA, 1981)
With Brenda Russell
- Brenda Russell (Horizon, 1979)
- Two Eyes (Warner Bros., 1983)
With Stephanie Mills
- Home (MCA, 1989)
With Joni Mitchell
- Dog Eat Dog (Geffen, 1985)
With Melissa Manchester
- Emergency (Arista, 1983)
- Mathematics (MCA, 1985)
With Jim Messina
- Messina (Warner Bros., 1981)
With Deniece Williams
- Hot on the Trail (Columbia, 1986)
- As Good as It Gets (Columbia, 1988)
- Special Love (Sparrow, 1989)
With Teena Marie
- Lady T (Gordy, 1980)
With Peter Allen
- Bi-Coastal (A&M, 1980)
- Not The Boy Next Door (Arista, 1983)
With Beth Hart
- Leave the Light On (Warner Bros., 2003)
With Donna Summer
- Bad Girls (Casablanca, 1979)
- Donna Summer (Geffen, 1982)
- She Works Hard for the Money (Mercury, 1983)
- All Systems Go (Geffen, 1987)
With Paul Anka
- The Music Man (United Artists, 1976)
With Chaka Khan
- What Cha' Gonna Do for Me (Warner Bros., 1981)
With Barry Mann
- Barry Mann (Casablanca, 1980)
With Melanie C
- Reason (Virgin, 2003)
With Sheena Easton
- A Private Heaven (EMI, 1984)
With John Mayer
- Heavier Things (Columbia, 2003)
- The Search for Everything (Columbia, 2017)
With Dolly Parton
- Heartbreaker (RCA Victor, 1978)
- 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs (RCA, 1980)
With Boz Scaggs
- Other Roads (Columbia, 1988)
With Randy Crawford
- Windsong (Warner Bros., 1982)
With Rickie Lee Jones
- Pirates (Warner Bros., 1981)
- The Magazine (Warner Bros., 1984)
- The Evening of My Best Day (V2, 2003)
With Carole Bayer Sager
- ...Too (Elektra, 1978)
- Sometimes Late at Night (The Boardwalk Entertainment, 1981)
With Paul McCartney
- Pipes of Peace (Columbia, 1983)
With Michael McDonald
- No Lookin' Back (Warner Bros., 1985)
With Michael Jackson
- Off the Wall (Epic, 1979)
- Thriller (Epic, 1982)
- Bad (Epic, 1987)
With Desmond Child
- Discipline (Elektra, 1991)
With Betty Wright
- Betty Wright (Epic, 1981)
With Roberta Flack
- Oasis (Atlantic, 1988)
With Richard Marx
- Richard Marx (EMI, 1987)
- Repeat Offender (EMI, 1989)
- Flesh and Bone (Capitol, 1997)
With Mika
- The Boy Who Knew Too Much (Casablanca, 2009)
With Philip Bailey
- Continuation (A&M, 1983)
With Rod Stewart
- Camouflage (Warner Bros., 1984)
With Randy Newman
- Trouble in Paradise (Reprise, 1983)
- Land of Dreams (Reprise, 1988)
With Natalie Cole
- Dangerous (Atco, 1985)
- Everlasting (Elektra, 1987)
With B.B. King
- B.B. King & Friends: 80 (Geffen, 2005)
With Peter Cetera
- World Falling Down (Warner Bros., 1992)
With Nicolette Larson
- In the Nick of Time (Warner Bros. Records, 1979)
With Barbra Streisand
- Songbird (Columbia, 1978)
- Till I Loved You (Columbia, 1988)
With Jennifer Warnes
- The Hunter (Attic, 1992)
With Rob Thomas
- ...Something to Be (Atlantic Records, 2005)
With Laura Branigan
- Hold Me (Atlantic, 1985)
With Jimmy Webb
- Angel Heart (Real West Production, 1982)
With Al Jarreau
- This Time (Warner Bros., 1980)
- Breakin' Away (Warner Bros., 1981)
- Jarreau (Warner Bros., 1983)
- High Crime (Warner Bros., 1984)
- Heart's Horizon (Reprise, 1988)
- Heaven and Earth (Reprise, 1992)
- Tomorrow Today (GRP, 2000)
- All I Got (GRP, 2002)
With Jennifer Holliday
- Feel My Soul (Geffen, 1983)
With James Last Band
- Seduction (Polydor, 1980)
With George Benson
- Give Me the Night (Warner Bros., 1980)
- 20/20 (Warner Bros., 1985)
- While the City Sleeps... (Warner Bros., 1986)
- Standing Together (GRP, 1998)
With Livingston Taylor
- Three Way Mirror (Epic, 1978)
With Neil Diamond
- September Morn (Columbia, 1979)
- The Best Years of Our Lives (Columbia, 1988)
With Michael Franks
- One Bad Habit (Warner Bros., 1980)
With Atkins
- Atkins (also does the horn section on Keep Trying) (Warner Bros., 1982)
With Darren Kramer Organization
- The Darren Kramer Organization (1998)
With Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- Southern Accents (MCA Records, 1985)
- Playback (MCA Records, 1995)
With Miho Nakayama
- Wagamama na Actress (King Records, 1993)
- Mid Blue (King Records, 1995)
With Pauline Wilson
- Tribute (McClees Corp., 2001)
With The Square/T-SQUARE
With Dave Weckl/Dave Weckl Band
With David Foster
- David Foster (Atlantic, 1986)
- The Christmas Album (Interscope Records, 1995)
With Wilson Phillips
- Shadows And Light (SBK Records, 1992)
With TM Network
- Humansystem (Epic/Sony, 1987)
- All in a Night's Work (Epic, 1982)
With Pleasure
- Future Now (Fantasy Records, 1979)
- Special Things (Fantasy Records, 1980)
With Patrice Rushen
- Patrice (Elektra Records, 1978)
Soundtracks
[edit]As sideman on soundtrack recordings[13][14][15]
- Aladdin soundtrack (Walt Disney, 1992)
- Ally McBeal soundtrack (1997-2002)
- Analyze This soundtrack (1999)
- Austin Powers I, Austin Powers II, Austin Powers III (2002) soundtrack
- Back to the Future soundtrack (MCA, 1985)
- Back to the Future Part II soundtrack (1989)
- Back to the Future Part III soundtrack (1990)
- BAD short film soundtrack (1987)
- Bad Boys soundtrack (1983)
- Blown Away soundtrack (1994)
- Bowfinger soundtrack (1999)
- Big Trouble soundtrack (2002)
- Bridge to Terabithia soundtrack (2006)
- Captain EO short film soundtrack (1986)
- Caddyshack soundtrack (1980)
- Contact soundtrack
- CHiPs soundtrack (1977-1983)
- Disney features - Hercules (1997), Blast from the Past (1998), Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty and the Beast (1991), Isn’t She Great (1999) soundtracks
- Father of the Bride I and Father of the Bride II soundtrack
- Fandango soundtrack (1984)
- Forrest Gump soundtrack
- George of the Jungle soundtrack (Walt Disney, 1997)
- Grand Canyon soundtrack (1991)
- Godzilla soundtrack (Epic, 1998)
- Grumpy Old Men and Grumpier Old Men soundtrack
- Gypsy soundtrack (1993)
- Lilo & Stitch soundtrack (Walt Disney, 2002)
- Men in Black II soundtrack (Columbia, 2002)
- Meet the Applegates soundtrack (1990)
- Meet the Fockers soundtrack (2004)
- Meet the Browns soundtrack (2008)
- Mousehunt soundtrack (Varese Sarabande, 1997)
- Mulan soundtrack (Walt Disney, 1998)
- Payback soundtrack (1998)
- Paternity soundtrack (Kritzerland, 2014)
- Pocahontas soundtrack (Walt Disney, 1995)
- Predator soundtrack (Varèse Sarabande, 1987)
- Pretty Woman soundtrack (EMI, 1990)
- Running Scared soundtrack (MCA, 1986)
- Romeo Must Die soundtrack (2000)
- Rocky II soundtrack (United Artists/EMI, 1979)
- Rocky III soundtrack (Liberty, 1982)
- Rocky IV soundtrack (Scotti Bros., 1985)
- Reindeer Games soundtrack
- Shrek Forever After soundtrack (DGC, 2010)
- Spacejam soundtrack (Warner, 1996)
- Spiderman 2 soundtrack (Sony, 2004)
- Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi soundtrack (Walt Disney, 2017)
- Stuart Little soundtrack (Motown, 1999)
- Superbad soundtrack (Lakeshore, 2007)
- Sister Act I & Sister Act II soundtrack
- Sudden Impact soundtrack (1983)
- The Adventures of Pluto Nash soundtrack (Beverly, 2002)
- The Karate Kid Part II soundtrack (Warner Bros., 1986)
- The Polar Express soundtrack (Reprise, 2004)
- The Ugly Truth soundtrack (Lakeshore, 2009)
- The Bodyguard soundtrack (1992)
- The Color Purple soundtrack (1985)
- The Odd Couple II soundtrack
- The Notebook soundtrack (2004)
- The Shadow soundtrack (1994)
- Waterboy soundtrack (1998)
- Waiting to Exhale soundtrack (2000)
- Return to Me soundtrack (Sony Legacy, 2000)
- What Lies Beneath soundtrack (Varese Sarabande, 2000)
- Who Framed Roger Rabbit? soundtrack (Buena Vista, 1988)
- Judge Dredd / Expanded Original Motion Picture Score soundtrack (1995)
- Young Guns II soundtrack (Intrada Special Collection, 2011)
- Fandango soundtrack (Intrada Special Collection, 1984)
- Blown Away soundtrack (Intrada Special Collection, 1994)
References
[edit]- ^ "Jerry Hey Discography". Discogs. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
- ^ "Jerry Hey | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
- ^ Owsinski, Bobby; Ill, Paul (August 1, 2009). The Studio Musician's Handbook. University of Arkansas Press. pp. 247–248. ISBN 978-1-4234-6341-2. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
- ^ jacobtrumpet (December 5, 2013). "Jerry Hey". Jacob Phillips. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
- ^ a b "Interview: Jerry Hey, Pop Music's Go-Go Man for Horn and String Arrangements". daily.redbullmusicacademy.com. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
- ^ a b c Davis, Michael (April 1, 2012). "Jerry Hey". Hip-Bone Music. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Splett, Thomas (March 8, 2019). "Interview with the legendary American trumpeter and arranger Jerry Hey –". Retrieved December 15, 2022.
- ^ Davis, Michael (April 1, 2012). "Jerry Hey". Hip-Bone Music. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Jerry Hey". World Trumpet Society. Archived from the original on March 10, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
- ^ "Awards". David Foster. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
- ^ "Jerry Hey". GRAMMY.com. November 23, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
- ^ "Artist: Jerry Hey". www.grammy.com. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
- ^ "Jerry Hey". IMDb. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
- ^ "Jerry Hey Biography". HeyHorns.com. December 17, 2001. Archived from the original on December 17, 2001.
- ^ Meeker, David (2019). Jazz on the screen: A Jazz and Blues Filmography (PDF).
External links
[edit]Jerry Hey
View on GrokipediaEarly Life and Education
Family Background
Jerry Hey was born in 1950 in Dixon, Illinois, to a family deeply immersed in music.[7] His mother was a pianist, and his father was a trombonist influenced by jazz musicians such as Jack Teagarden, making music an integral part of the household environment.[8] Hey's two older brothers, aged ten and eight years his senior, further reinforced this musical atmosphere; one played trombone, while the other played tuba.[8] From a young age, Hey was exposed to a rich array of music through family performances and access to instruments, which sparked his lifelong passion for the art form. At around eight years old, he first encountered jazz via his father's record of Clifford Brown's Study in Brown, an experience that profoundly impacted him. By age eleven, his brothers introduced him to seminal jazz albums, including Cannonball Adderley's works and John Coltrane's Giant Steps, fostering an early appreciation for improvisation and complex harmonies.[8] Hey is the uncle of pianist, composer, and producer Henry Hey, who has credited the musical lineage of their family—including Jerry's influence—as a key factor in his own development.[9] This familial foundation in music paved the way for Hey's subsequent formal training at Indiana University.[7]Musical Training and Education
During high school, Hey took trumpet lessons from Chicago Symphony Orchestra member Charlie Geyer and attended the National Music Camp at Interlochen for two summers.[2][7] Following high school, Hey attended Indiana University, where he studied trumpet under the renowned pedagogue William "Bill" Adam for two and a half years.[10][7] Adam, a professor emeritus at the Jacobs School of Music, emphasized foundational skills in sound production and air acceleration, which became central to Hey's technical development.[10][11] During his college years, Hey focused on classical trumpet technique alongside jazz improvisation, balancing rigorous pedagogical exercises with creative exploration in ensemble settings.[10][11] This dual emphasis honed his versatility, as Adam's mentorship encouraged not only precision in classical execution but also the improvisational freedom essential for jazz contexts.[10] Hey engaged in early performances and skill-building through collaborations with fellow Indiana University students, including forming informal bands that allowed him to apply his growing technical and improvisational abilities in live settings.[10] These experiences, rooted in Adam's guidance, equipped him with the proficiency needed to transition into professional jazz and fusion environments.[11]Career
Early Career with Seawind
Jerry Hey, having refined his trumpet technique during studies at Indiana University, moved to Hawaii in the early 1970s, where he co-founded the jazz-fusion band Seawind.[11] Originally formed in 1974 under the name Ox, the group drew from Hawaii's vibrant music scene to blend jazz, R&B, and funk elements.[4] Key collaborators included saxophonists Larry Williams and Kim Hutchcroft, vocalist Pauline Wilson, keyboardist Bob Wilson, guitarist Bud Nuanez, and bassist Ken Wild, with Hey serving as lead trumpeter and arranger.[4] The band also worked closely with trumpeter Gary Grant, who shared stages and sessions with Hey during this formative period in Hawaii.[10][12] Seeking expanded opportunities, Seawind relocated to Los Angeles in 1976 at the invitation of drummer Harvey Mason, who had discovered the group and advocated for their signing to CTI Records.[4][10] This move marked a pivotal shift, allowing the ensemble to transition from local performances to professional studio work amid the bustling West Coast jazz-fusion scene. Hey's multifaceted role—encompassing trumpet performance, horn arrangements, and production input—became central to the band's evolving sound.[13] The band's debut album, Seawind, arrived in 1976 on CTI Records, showcasing their polished fusion style through tracks that highlighted Hey's intricate horn lines and the group's tight rhythmic interplay.[4] A follow-up, Window of a Child, followed in 1977 on the same label, further solidifying their reputation with sophisticated arrangements that fused improvisational jazz with accessible grooves.[4] These early releases established Seawind's signature aesthetic, emphasizing Hey's brass leadership and the band's cohesive ensemble dynamic.[14]Major Collaborations and Productions
Jerry Hey's transition from his work with Seawind opened doors to high-profile collaborations in the pop, jazz, and R&B scenes, where he established himself as a premier horn arranger and session trumpeter.[8] One of his most iconic contributions came on Michael Jackson's blockbuster album Thriller (1982), where Hey provided trumpet performances and horn arrangements for key tracks, including the horn arrangements on "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," "Baby Be Mine," and "Thriller."[15] These arrangements, crafted under producer Quincy Jones, helped define the album's dynamic sound and contributed to its status as one of the best-selling records of all time.[16] Hey's long-term partnership with Quincy Jones spanned multiple projects, beginning prominently with Earth, Wind & Fire's I Am (1979), where he arranged horns that amplified the group's signature fusion of funk, jazz, and soul.[17] This collaboration extended to Jones's own The Dude (1981), on which Hey not only played trumpet but also handled horn, string, and synthesizer arrangements, blending sophisticated orchestration with contemporary R&B grooves on tracks featuring artists like James Ingram and Patti Austin.[18] In the late 1970s, Hey delivered a memorable flugelhorn solo on Dan Fogelberg's ballad "Longer" from the album Phoenix (1979), adding a warm, lyrical texture that complemented the song's romantic introspection and helped it reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100.[19] Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Hey's production and arrangement work flourished with artists like Al Jarreau, for whom he crafted horn sections on albums such as This Time (1980) and the self-titled Jarreau (1983), enhancing Jarreau's scat-infused jazz-pop with vibrant brass ensembles.[20] He also collaborated extensively with producer David Foster, contributing trumpet and arrangements to projects including Foster's early production on Bill Champlin's solo album Runaway (1981), which marked a pivotal moment in Foster's rise.[10] Similarly, Hey arranged horns for Barbra Streisand's The Broadway Album (1985), infusing Broadway standards with lush, orchestral brass that supported her interpretive vocal style.[21] In later years, Hey returned to production duties, co-producing several tracks on Lisa Stansfield's album Seven (2014), including "Can't Dance" and "So Be It," where his expertise helped blend soulful R&B with modern electronic elements.[22] These collaborations underscore Hey's versatility and enduring influence across genres.Film and Soundtrack Work
Jerry Hey's extensive collaborations with producer Quincy Jones provided a crucial entry point into film and television scoring during the 1980s, leveraging his expertise in horn arrangements and trumpet performance to contribute to high-profile visual media projects.[8] One of Hey's notable contributions to film soundtracks came through his horn arrangements on the 1985 score for The Color Purple, directed by Steven Spielberg, where he orchestrated brass sections for tracks including "Three on the Road (Celie's Blues)" and other instrumental pieces, enhancing the film's emotional depth under Jones's conduction.[23] His work integrated seamlessly with the ensemble featuring musicians like Red Callender on bass and Marshall Royal on clarinet, blending jazz influences with cinematic storytelling.[23] Hey also provided horn arrangements for the soundtracks of Flashdance (1983), the Back to the Future trilogy (1985–1990), Forrest Gump (1994), Dreamgirls (2006), and The Proposal (2009).[2] In 1997, Hey composed and arranged the upbeat cantina song "Jedi Rocks" for the Special Edition re-release of Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, replacing the original "Lapti Nek" to modernize the Max Rebo Band's performance in Jabba's palace scene.[24] Recorded with contributions from John Williams, the track featured Hey's vibrant horn elements, capturing a funky, alien jazz vibe that extended the scene's runtime and revitalized the franchise's musical palette.[24] Hey also performed trumpet on various film and television soundtracks throughout the decade, including sessions for the Star Wars saga and the popular 1980s series CHiPs. On CHiPs Volume 3 (Season Four, 1980-81), he provided trumpet alongside Larry Hall, supporting Alan Silvestri's dynamic cues that underscored the show's high-speed action sequences.[25] These performances exemplified Hey's versatility in blending brass with orchestral elements to heighten dramatic tension in visual media.Awards and Recognition
Grammy Awards
Jerry Hey has earned six Grammy Awards and eleven nominations throughout his career, with his achievements concentrated in categories recognizing excellence in instrumental arrangements, accompanying vocals, and original scores for visual media. These honors reflect his pivotal role in shaping horn and string arrangements for major artists and productions during the 1980s and 1990s.[26] His Grammy wins are as follows:| Year | Category | Work | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Best Instrumental Arrangement | "Dinorah, Dinorah" | Shared with Quincy Jones; from George Benson's album Give Me the Night.[27] |
| 1982 | Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s) | "Ai No Corrida" | Shared with Quincy Jones; from Quincy Jones's album The Dude.[28] |
| 1983 | Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s) | "Rosanna" | Shared with David Paich and Jeff Porcaro; performed by Toto.[29] |
| 1984 | Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals | "Step by Step" | Shared with Tom Canning, Jay Graydon, and Al Jarreau; from Al Jarreau's album Jarreau.[30] |
| 1984 | Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special | Flashdance | Shared with Giorgio Moroder, Keith Forsey, Harold Faltermeyer, Michael Boddicker, Phil Ramone, Michael Sembello, Kim Carnes, Duane Hitchings, Craig Krampf, Ronald Magness, and Dennis Matkosky.[31] |
| 1991 | Best Arrangement on an Instrumental | "Birdland" | Shared with Quincy Jones, Rod Temperton, and Ian Prince; from Quincy Jones's album Back on the Block.[32] |
Other Honors
Jerry Hey's contributions to trumpet performance and music arrangement have earned him notable recognition from professional guilds and educational institutions. The International Trumpet Guild featured Hey prominently in its journal through the article "Jerry Hey and Gary Grant: Legends of the Los Angeles Recording Studios" by Del Lyren and Rashawn Ross, celebrating his mastery of trumpet playing and innovative horn arranging across hundreds of influential recordings.[35] As a distinguished alumnus of Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Hey is honored in the university's official database of award honorees for his lifelong achievements in musical excellence.[7] Within jazz fusion communities, Hey received acclaim through a dedicated 2016 profile interview with the Red Bull Music Academy, where he was highlighted as a pivotal arranger and performer shaping pop and fusion horn sections over decades.[8] Hey's extensive partnerships, particularly with producer Quincy Jones, have been retrospectively acknowledged in industry discussions, underscoring his shared role in landmark projects that blend jazz, pop, and orchestral elements.[12]Discography
Seawind Albums
Jerry Hey served as the lead trumpeter and horn arranger for Seawind, the jazz fusion band, on their studio albums. Seawind released several albums blending fusion, pop, and R&B, featuring Hey's prominent trumpet work.[4]- Seawind (1976, CTI Records)
- Windows and Walls (1979, Columbia Records)
- Holdin' On (1980, Columbia Records)
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