Jack Hegyi Gratitude & Inspiration

Jack Hegyi has always been a bass player, beginning with his lifelong friend, Bob Gravener and Bob’s band, Sounds Inc. Jack spoke to us about his earliest musical inspirations. The conversation reminds us that respect and gratitude for those who encouraged us is an important key to our success.

“Bob and I still currently work together with the very popular City Rhythm Orchestra. Pete Spina and Nick Vallerio are the talented band leaders of this ensemble. A yearly tour of Italy has been a highlight of the City Rhythm performance schedule for years.”

City Rhythm has also been backing the popular comedian Joe Conklin and his Philly Sports Show. Joe Conklin’s musical comedy shows are reminiscent of the multi-talented people Jack has performed with for decades in the Atlantic City Showrooms. The City Rhythm Orchestra can also be heard playing several high-profile public events from Theatrical Productions to Political and Social Events.

“Karl Megulas was my High School Music Teacher at Bordentown Regional High. Karl gave me a love for music as a way to express myself. He supported my desire to become a professional bassist. Karl is still performing with his Trenton Brass Quintet.”

“I was accepted into the Music Studies program at Trenton State in the fall of 1977. I made some good friends while in college. One of them is Audrey Puzyr Spies. Audrey is an amazing percussionist and drummer. At the time, there were not many women performing on the drums. Audrey was one of the first women in the music field that really blew me away. Another major influence is Tony DeNicola. He was a Percussion Professor at Trenton State. He gave me the opportunity to visit the college and play with the Jazz Bands even after I had begun working in Atlantic City. To this day, his guidance influences the way I interpret music.”

Steve Lawrence and his wife Eydie Gorme are great examples of the Stars that became mentors for Jack. He recalls having worked with them from 2003 until they retired.

“I was the bassist for Alex Glover & Company starting in 2000. Alex was a Big Brother to me and a great singer/entertainer. He taught me what it meant to be an Entrepreneur.

“I studied for 4 years with the great Craig Thomas. I remember taking my trombone to a band rehearsal when I was in High School and Craig was playing bass. I was so impressed by Craig’s playing that I barely played a note on my horn. I contacted him after that rehearsal and he took me on as a bass student. That decision changed everything.”

Jack has been influenced by the Legendary artists of today. Jack recalls hearing Jaco play at the Seventh Avenue South Jazz Club. “Jaco was playing with Peter Erskine on drums, Don Alias on Percussion, Michael Brecker on tenor Sax, and Bob Mintzer on Tenor Sax and Bass Clarinet. They were on fire!” Jack continues, “I used the MXR Model 113 Digital Delay for quite a while because I heard Jaco using it when I heard him in NY”.

“Another huge influence on me was Gordon Johnson, the Bassist for Maynard Ferguson. Gordon would play beautifully with a small effects pedal called the Funk Machine. It created such a cool sound. Gordon was gracious to me if I approached him to talk. I appreciated that as a young bassist.”

Jack also credits Neils Henning, bassist for Oscar Peterson and Joe Pass, and  the legendary Ray Brown. As Jack says, “They both were Masters of the Upright Bass!”

Jack continues his Music Ministry in Church. Abraham Laboriel is the gifted Gospel bass player that inspires him to this day. 

Jack is contributing his chart writing skills and his ideas in arranging, along with being a cheerful person and an all-around great player. He will play any style, try new ideas, and is thrilled to be challenged by my compositions. This is what CounterParts is all about: Exploring, growing, and creating that new sound!