John Hébert
John Hébert, bassist, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana where he first began to study double bass with Bill Huntington. John attended Loyola University of New Orleans where he received a full scholarship. After two years of performing with many of New Orleans greatest musicians and performing at various clubs including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival he moved to the New York tri-state area to attend William Paterson University where he continued his studies under bassist, Rufus Reid and received a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance.
Since graduating in 1995, John has lived in the New York City area and established himself as a highly sought after bassist. He has worked along side world famous artists such as Andrew Hill, Lee Konitz, Paul Bley, John Abercrombie, Kenny Wheeler, Paul Motian, Joe Maneri, Mary Havorson, Tomasz Stanko, David Liebman, Uri Caine, Greg Osby, Bill Stewart, Marc Copland, Fred Hersch, Toots Thielemans, Maria Schneider, and many others.
In recent years, he has taken on the role of bandleader of various projects. His group Byzantine Monkey, released their first CD in June 2009 on the Firehouse 12 label. It was reviewed in Downbeat and received 4 stars. “On his first album as a leader he displays a sonic vision that’s all his own,” says Peter Margarsak. In 2010, John Hébert Trio released Spiritual Lover on the Clean Feed label to very positive reviews. According to Stuart Broomer, “it’s a trio of genuinely equal parts and plays music of great melodic strength.” In 2011, John formed his Rambling Confessions quartet which has performed at well known clubs such as The Stone and Jazz Gallery.
He is also named in Downbeat’s 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 Critics Poll as a “Rising Star Acoustic Bassist.” Most recently in 2011, John won the poll as “Rising Star Acoustic Bassist.” From 2001 until Andrew Hill’s passing in 2007, John worked with Mr. Hill in various ensembles. John is also featured on Andrew Hill’s last Blue Note release, “Time Lines” which was awarded “Record of the Year” by Downbeat’s Jazz Critics Poll in 2006. John has also performed around the world at festivals such as the North Sea Jazz Festival, Tampere Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, Moers Jazz Festival, Ear Shot Jazz Festival and San Francisco Jazz Festival. He can also be heard in some of New York City’s most renowned venues such as The Village Vanguard, Blue Note, The Jazz Standard, Birdland and Iridium.
Read moreTags
Album Review
- Byzantine Monkey by Nic Jones
Profile
Album Review
- Byzantine Monkey by Stuart Broomer
- Spiritual Lover by Stuart Broomer
- Floodgates by Mark Corroto
Radio & Podcasts
Album Review
- Sounds Of Love by Mark Corroto
Radio & Podcasts
Read more articlesJanuary 19, 2017
Michaël Attias Presents "Nerve Dance" Featuring Aruán Ortiz, John...
December 30, 2011
Adam Kolker Quartet Featuring Billy Hart, Bruce Barth & John Hébert,...
March 09, 2011
Brooklyn Jazz Wide Open @ Littlefield - Featuring Dave Liebman, John...
March 01, 2011
Brooklyn Jazz Wide Open Continues @ Littlefield - Featuring Dave...
February 15, 2011
Brooklyn Jazz Wide Open Continues @ Littlefield - Featuring Dave...
June 04, 2010
Ellery Eskelin / John Hebert / Devin Gray at the Tea Lounge on July 30th
February 18, 2008
Russ Lossing - John Hebert : Line up on Hatology 651
September 23, 2007
Frank Kimbrough with Paul Motian and John Hebert at Jazz Standard 9/25...
—David Ryshpan, Exclaim!
...music that engages the ear and teases the intellect...a depth of engagement
that simply seems to elude a lot of contemporary jazz.
—Nic Jones, AllAboutJazz.com
First and foremost, Hebert has his own sound, not an easy accomplishment
for a bassist. Big, rich, tones and a penchant for melodic lines (even in the
most frenetic pieces) makes his playing stand out. Byzantine
Monkey takes the listener out of the everyday world into a landscape
of mature melodies, splendid musicianship and highly creative interplay. It's
an aural landscape one can return to time and again, uncovering new paths to
follow.
—Richard Kamins, Hartford, Courant
Photos
Album Discography
When There Were Trains
From: Balancing ActBy John Hébert
Tuesday Overture
From: At This TimeBy John Hébert