George Heid Celebration of Life Ceremony

George Edward Heid

July 7th, 1947 - May 10th, 2023

Music was in his blood, and jazz was in his heart. 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…