Anthony Plog on Music

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Jerry Hey: The Multi-Grammy Award Winning LA Studio Trumpet Artist and Song Arranger

Anthony Plog, host
Eddie Ludema, producer
Date posted: Mar 1, 2025

Jerry Hey is a Grammy Award-winning arranger, composer, and trumpeter with an incredible career that spans decades. His work as an arranger has brought him into close collaboration with legends like Quincy Jones, and he's crafted arrangements for some of the most iconic artists in music. If you've ever listened to major hits, chances are you've heard his brilliant work. As a trumpet player, Jerry's journey began with the group Sea Wind in Hawaii and later led him to become a top player in the Hollywood studios. His life is full of remarkable experiences and unforgettable stories, and I had the privilege of sitting down with him to hear all about it.

Part 1

We kick things off by diving into how Jerry approaches the art of arranging, using three classic songs as examples: "In the Stone" by Earth, Wind & Fire, "Don’t Stop 'Til You Get Enough" by Michael Jackson, and "Rosanna" by Toto. Jerry takes us step-by-step through the magic behind these arrangements. Then, Jerry shares his own unique process for crafting his arrangements—it's an art form that’s both meticulous and inspired, and he walks us through his creative approach. We also chat about Jerry’s close working relationship with Quincy Jones. I couldn’t resist asking Jerry what made Quincy such a remarkable force in music. Jerry’s studies at Indiana University were a key part of his musical journey, particularly his time under the mentorship of the legendary Bill Adam. It was also at IU that he met Larry Hall, a friend who would remain by his side for life. After leaving IU, Jerry’s career took him to Hawaii, where he joined the group Sea Wind, before eventually making his way to Los Angeles, where he became a sought-after player in the studios. To wrap up this section, Jerry shares an unforgettable story from his time recording with the incredible Al Jarreau. Picture this: four intense days of recording from 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM, followed by more studio sessions during the day—surviving on just 13 hours of sleep in four days. It’s a wild story, and you don’t want to miss it.

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[Subscriber Content] Throughout his career, Jerry has had the privilege of playing alongside some of the world’s greatest musicians. I ask him to reflect on four of his close friends and musical partners: Larry Hall, Gary Grant, Chuck Findley, and Wayne Bergeron, each of whom has had a significant impact on his life and career. We also explore the differences between recording in New York City versus Los Angeles, especially when it comes to the use of headphones in the studio—a fascinating detail that highlights the unique studio culture in each city. Jerry is also a huge admirer of Sergei Nakariakov, and he shares a hilarious and heartwarming story from a party at Gary Grant’s house. You’ll get a glimpse into the personal side of the music world that you don’t often hear about. Not everything in Jerry’s life has been smooth sailing, though. We also talk about his inspiring battle with Chronic Symmphocidic Leukemia and Richter’s Disease, two health challenges that he fought with incredible strength and perseverance. Finally, we wrap things up with a lighter note, as Jerry shares his love for wine and some of the funniest jokes that have been exchanged in the studio over the years.



The podcast theme music, Four Sierra Scenes, written by Anthony Plog, is taken from Crystal Records S205, copyright ©1980 Crystal Records Inc., and is used by permission. Unauthorized duplication is not permitted.