"You dig!" - Bill Heid

Besides being world-renowned as a dynamite organist, Bill Heid is also one of the finest piano players in DC. Bill calls piano-playing one of his tactics to "make big papers" in the city. Well, true aficionados know that Bill has recorded blues piano with Koko Taylor, Alberta Adams, and jazz piano with Henry Johnson. Therefore, a piano trio was inevitable to satisfy Bill's passion. However, not many club owners in DC can afford a grand piano.

In October 2001, Bill found this Italian restaurant owned by Talipups on M Street, Georgetown, called Fino. Since the old popular hangout One Step Down has been closed, Fino seemed to be the natural choice for Bill to continue entertaining his jazz fans downtown. Despite poor service and mediocre food (not to mention the extremely uncomfortable stools), the Trio has been going strong until the present moment. Thanks to the dedicated fans and the wonderful music. The current Trio members are as follows:-

Bill Heid (vocals, piano)
Perhaps the nuttiest guy on the planet, but Bill treats piano-playing as no joke. This guy is unbelievable. B-3 like Larry Young and Don Patterson, killer left-hand & foot. Piano like Oscar Peterson, McCoy Tyner, Otis Spann & Gene Harris, not to mention total commitment to "cool." Speaks in his own internationally understood language. Clever & "cute" songs. Easy cool rig guy. Bill's favorite sayings include "You dig!" and "So long everybody."

"I can't live a day without playing 1-4-5's," Bill comments. He also loves the cool McCoy Tyner minor riffs, the vicious funk songs in Japanese, and the Talifunk. He gigged with Fenton Robinson, John Lee Hooker, Son Seals and Jimmy Witherspoon as well as Sonny Stitt, Grant Green, George Benson and Billy James. More recently, Bill has jump-started the career of Bluesman Johnny Bassett and remains a favorite attraction at major blues and jazz festivals from Montreux to Monterey. Bill is also the record-holder of 400,000 miles of hitch-hiking in the Guinness Book of World Records. Learn more about Bill here.

While not playing in America, Bill tours Japan and Vietnam. In August 2003, Bill just finished a State Department tour in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Gavin Fallow (bass)
A youth bass prodigy. At a mere 22 years of age, Gavin Fallow is one the most well-regarded bassists in DC and NYC. He has played with Don Braden, Russell Gunn, Bruce Williams and many giants. He has also recorded with Richard Noble, Howard Franklin, T.K. Blue, and James Weidman. His resume can easily put many other bassists in DC to shame, especially "Exploding Eddie."

"Gavin's playing improved exponentially after coming back from Europe. Sudden he can play," remarked Mark Suffanti, a keen observer of jazz. In fact, Gavin's European trip broadened his musical horizon, and he played like a breathe of fresh air. Gavin has incredible timing, sophisticated phrasings, and he can make the bass sing.

Gavin appears with Benito Gonzalez Group every Thursday night at Columbia Station and tours with T.K. Blue nationally. When not playing the bass, Gavin practices his piano chops during his breaks.

Steve Novosel (bass)
When Gavin is away or nowhere to be found, Steve Novosel steps in and offers some of his musical enlightenment. Recorded with David Fathead Newman, Rashaan Roland Kirk and played with everybody from Dizzy Gillespie to Shirley Horn, Steve is arguably the most seasoned bass player in DC and all of East Coast. He accompanies Shirley on several of her Verve releases.

Laconic and taciturn, Steve expresses his feelings through his music only. His solos are always inspired and inspirational, never sloppy. Listening to him do a walking bass solo is an orgasmic experience in itself. Hearing Steve at Fino is a treat for the ears. Steve was named "Who's Who in DC Jazz" by Washingtonian (read the article here).

Henry "Sonny Boy" Chung (harmonica)
An esteemed guest performer at Fino since October 2001. Henry met Bill in October 2001. Henry was fascinated with Bill's piano skills and blues resume. Bill was quite taken by Henry's blues knowledge. The two hit it off instantly. Since then, Bill invites Henry to play on all his shows. Bill evens gave Henry the nickname "Sonny Boy Chung" after the late great Sonny Boy Williamson.

Now Henry's acts became an integral part of the Trio's performance. Some spectators even come to Fino just to see Henry's jamming with the Trio, because every week is full of surprises and unpredictability.

Not only is Bill Heid a fabulous piano and organ player, but he is also an excellent writer. This site has the privilege to exclusively feature some of Bill's old columns for a Detroit blues newsletter. Often hilarious, sometimes sarcastic, and always cynical, Bill points out the poignant truth of the over-glorified music business and the sad state of bona-fide jazz and blues.

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