The Reno music community lost a vibrant, inventive, and personable member
last month. Bill Hecht gave us memorable piano performances either solo or as
part of an ensemble. He was a keyboardist, composer, arranger, and technical
music wizard. But most importantly Bill was a pleasure to work with both on and
off the stage. I first worked with him in the 1980's as he helped me produce
some of my original compositions. His career was diverse performing with the
Harrah's Reno orchestra, touring with Englebert Humperdinck, countless jazz
combos, and singing with both the Reno Phil and Nevada Opera choruses. He
joined the RJO in 2006 and was a valued musician. His ears helped guide many
of our recordings. I will miss his wit, his talents, and his comradeship. Here are
memories from other of his musical comrades.
— Chuck Reider, RJO President
There are times in the life of a musician when you get to perform with truly great
players. And more rarely, there are one or two moments when you play with
someone with whom you become one. Your minds and hearts join, and you
spontaneously create together - as if you're speaking the same language without
saying a word. For Bill and me, that was who we were. Not just on one song, or a few songs, a
few times. I mean every song, every time we played together. And it had been
that way since the very first time we played together, back in 1978.
He was the funkiest, most lyrical, most rhythmical, most creative, and most
sensitive piano and keyboard player I've ever had the pleasure to make music
with. His musicality was unmatched, and his soul shone through every note.
Losing Bill wasn't just losing a dear friend and musical partner—it was losing a
very deep part of myself. There's a huge void in my heart now. But maybe I'll
leave that void untouched. Because written on the walls of that emptiness is:
"Bill was here."
Rest in peace, my dear friend.
— Tony Savage, Co-Founder of the Reno Jazz Orchestra
I am really fortunate to have known and played with Bill since the late 1980's. He
was an amazing and versatile musician, capable of playing any style, but with his
own unique approach to the music, which to me is a sign of a true artist. My
favorite moments playing with Bill was at our long-standing engagement at
Famous Murphy's Restaurant. For four nights a week, Bill's trio with Eric
Middleton on drums and myself on bass played some amazing creative music
ranging from straight ahead jazz, fusion, funk and latin-inspired grooves. He was
one of a kind and will be sorely missed in our music community.
— Hans Halt, basist for the Reno Jazz Orchestra
Bill was always a great guy to be around. We had great conversations and a lot
of laughs. He jumped into computer programming before I did and was always a
good source of advice. I was fortunate to know him. He was a friend, and I'll
miss him.
— Jim Garaventa, saxophonist for the Reno Jazz Orchestra
Bill and I knew each other for over 45 years. We played a thousand casuals and were in several bands together, but the most notable band was the Leoni Hecht trio - fondly known to many as "The World Famous Wet Spots". In that band we
played for about 2.5 years steadily for 6 nights a week - 6 hours a night. Leoni Hecht consisted of Danny Leoni, myself and Bill. In short order we added guitarist Mark Speights and became a quartet. What a great band! We were fearless. We stretched a lot and got the most out of all our abilities. When you play that much together, you really get to know people well - musically and personally. Another notable band was "FastTrack." Again with Danny Leoni,
myself, Bill and trumpeter John Gronberg. In both of those bands we were fortunate enough to play music we loved - not just music we had to play to make a living. Bill brought much of that music to the band. The music we loved was
from artists like Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Airto, David Sanborn, Lee Ritenour, Tower of Power, Boz Scaggs, Freddie Hubbard as well as other popular bands from the day - too many to remember. We could
play anything and we often did. With Danny Leoni as the front man, we also went off on many tangents. You want the theme from the "Love Boat" - no problem. Green Acres, Flintstones, Jetsons? Of course. We couldn't have done
it without Bill. Having the skill, creativity, sense of humor and willingness to pull everything off was one of Bill's great talents - no matter the genre.
Bill was always about getting a great sound while playing with creativity, a great feel and great time. He could solo for days and keep it interesting with great ideas, feel, groove and sound. Although I'm sure he didn't know it, he helped me understand how to take my time and build a solo - at which he was a master. We would create great arrangements - with Bill's guidance - on the fly during gigs. (On a six-hour gig at three o'clock in the morning on a Tuesday or Wednesday, there's plenty of time for stuff like that). Bill got a sound on the Fender Rhodes that rivaled Herbie, Chick or Jan Hammer. He was definitely the smartest guy in every band we played in. We all just clicked musically and loved playing together. To say he'll be missed is such an understatement and I know I'm not
alone in feeling that way.
— Steve Self
A Few Words About Bill. . .
It's difficult to only say a few words about someone you've known for 40 years...
Our friendship and working relationship grew gradually from the time of my Reno
arrival in the 1980's when I would catch Bill's gigs with Hans Halt and Tony
Savage at Cheers to our February, 2025 FTLOJ Concert at Reno Little Theater-
our last forever- when Bill and Tony pulled an old tune out of the hat "Creek" by
Airto which they nailed not having played it in 43 years! It was definitely the
highlight and everyone in the audience was blown away!
We have spent countless hours rehearsing together for gigs-whether we had
them or not - just to be prepared and because it was fun and always a creative
time. Bill was always open to trying out new material, arranging intros and
endings, discussing music and lyrics and having ham sandwiches in the garden.
There were so many fun gigs: snow-catting the band and all our gear to a
mountain top gig in the middle of winter, playing Akron, Ohio or Yerington,
Nevada. Bill was always up for an adventure and it wasn't always about the
money but the camaraderie and musicianship.
I will always treasure his playing and arrangements on my most recent cd "Love
on the Tyrrhenian."
My memories are all wonderful...like the many times he would subtly signal me
that he wanted to play another solo...and another...and another...with a
crescendo of applause cascading from the audience. I will never lose sight of him
sitting at my piano, with an upturned smile of a Cheshire Cat playing his own
special brand of Beautiful Jazz. And now I have the great pleasure of working
with Bill's grandson, Will, who seems to have that very same grin. . .
— Ce Ce Gable
