Jeff Heiman Memorial Fund
Jeff Heiman was a passionate trailblazer in the music and entertainment industry, recognized for his expertise in artist development, public relations, promotion, marketing, audio/video licensing, content acquisition, artist management, music production and as a radio broadcaster (KCMU, now KEXP, and KZAM on-air personality). During his 12-year partnership with 2 Jeffs on Music, Jeff helped many musical artists stay current, grow their careers, and navigate the shifting, difficult, and dramatic changes in the music business.
In Loving Memory of Jeff Heiman
Leroy with Jeff.
Leroy Henry
“One needn’t read any further than this – Jeff was a model human being, the kind you’d like to be and have your children be too. I was lucky to be his friend for over 50 years and a colleague for 10 years. We first met at KCMU at the UW in 1973, hitting it off immediately. I loved his spirit, his light, and his energy; he was always so happy and uplifting. He felt like a brother, and that remains true today. Moving forward to 2000, I had the joy of working with Jeff, side by side, at PlayNetwork in the music department, where we became very close. I marveled at his ability to connect with so many labels, artists, and industry folks in his role of overseeing licensing. He did more in his 10 years than most could hope for in 20, and always with joy and humor. Whenever I traveled with him to concerts or SXSW, it amazed me how many musicians and industry people he knew and that I, too, would be fortunate to meet. But the reality is that Jeff was a star, a celebrity of sorts, too, and they were lucky to know him! Man, I miss Jeff every day, but I still get to see him in my dreams—and that feels good.
Jeff with Tom Petty and Ringo Starr, courtesy of Ron Heiman.
Ron Heiman
“My brother Jeff did have a few interests beyond music, but his absolute passion was his love for family, his friends and music! As a kid, he was glued to one of the three AM pop stations in our area when we were growing up in the 60s and 70s. And from month to month loyalty would shift as to which station was your favorite. The competition between the three top AM pop stations was fierce! There were two in Seattle --- KOL and KJR, and one in Tacoma: KTAC. We all felt like we had a relationship with the iconic DJs that were fixtures in the area for decades and were very popular local celebrities. They were the ones that introduced us to the next Beatles hit, Stevie Wonder, the Stones, Dylan, and The Doors, to name a few. Jeff made a habit of entering all the contests they would do on-air, which handed out prizes to the first or tenth caller. He was amazingly fast at dialing on a rotary phone. And several times a year he would be the winning caller. His ritual if he won would be to jump up and down on his bed and scream for joy. At times this was in the middle of the night. His name would then be broadcast on the air which was a huge thrill for anyone during that era, as tons of your local friends and acquaintances would hear your name on the radio and then say something to you the next day at school like, ‘Hey Jeff I heard your name on the radio last night!’ It was almost as cool to be the brother of the person whose name was called out by one of the popular DJs. ‘Hey, Ron, I heard Jeff's name on the radio last night…’ Given Jeff's childhood relationship with top-40 and pop music radio growing up, it was no great shocker that when Jeff was at the UW he had his own radio show on campus station KCMU. After graduation, he would go on to work at the legendary radio station KZAM. At KZAM after a couple years of general music programming he went on to host a show called "Off The Record.” This show featured live music and interviews of local and international musicians that were passing through Seattle. It was definitely one of the happiest periods of his life. He got to live out his childhood dreams and do what he loved. During this period my brother was filled with pure joy and absolute love for life. From a little brother's perspective, this might have been the time where I have my greatest memories of hanging out with Jeff, and I can't express how amazing it was to have an open invitation to hang out with him when he was on the air. He would encourage me to pick out cuts from the shelves and shelves of vinyl. In addition, during the KZAM days I sometimes got to watch him interview young, relatively unknown or up-and-coming musicians like David Bromberg, Karla Bonoff and Steve Forbert. Finally, in both of these positions Jeff had access to a steady stream of promotional 45s that were sent to the radio stations hoping that they would be played on air. I still remember him sharing with me one that particularly blew him away: a song called ‘Piano Man’ by Billy Joel. (Somehow, I still remember that on the flip side of the 45 was the long version of the song called ‘Captain Jack.’) My big brother, the DJ, told me that the guy was going to be a star and I believed him. Within about 6 months, he had comp tickets to see Billy Joel and he asked me to go with him. We witnessed an amazing show at a half-empty Moore Theatre. I remember waiting for him as he went backstage afterwards with his pass to meet Billy Joel. He confidently and boldly proclaimed, ‘Ronnie, the next time he's in town it will sell out for sure."
Annabelle with Jeff.
Annabelle Heiman
“My Uncle Jeff never failed to make everyone he came in contact with feel loved. His passion for celebrating my accomplishments whether it be my music interests, athletic achievements, academics, and everything in between was beyond important to him and unmatched. He and his heart of gold always intently listened and appreciated whatever thoughts you shared with him, especially when it came to music. Uncle Jeff understood just how much music influences life and who you are as you navigate this world. I am forever grateful to have a role model like him who was so incredibly accepting and open to hearing how music influenced my own life. Love and miss you Uncle JJ ❤️”
Jeff with Bruce Cockburn, courtesy of Ron Heiman.
Wendy Heiman
“New music from Jeff”, that was something our family would look forward to. Jeff would curate and share new tunes with our family. In doing so he would share his passion for new artists/songs and keep us in the know and current, a win-win for sure!”
Jeff with Peter, Paul, & Mary, courtesy of Ron Heiman.
Isaac Heiman
“My love of music was greatly influenced by my Uncle Jeff! I remember he loaded my old iPod shuffle with an amazing variety of songs -- a variety which undoubtedly surpassed the playlists of my elementary school peers. :) He would play parts of songs for me and let me decide which songs to choose. Above all, this story is one of him encouraging me to become a lover of music by empowering me to find what music I enjoy listening to."
Share a Memory of Jeff
More About Jeff
During his 12-year partnership in 2 Jeffs on Music, Jeff helped many musical artists stay current, grow their careers, and navigate the shifting, difficult and dramatic changes in the music business.
Hundreds of musicians also had the opportunity to record songs for London Tone Music, a recording project in partnership with London Bridge Studios, which saw the release of a new song each week for 52 weeks.
As a long-time member, governor, and officer of The Recording Academy (The Grammys), Jeff mentored and inspired many musical artists and served as Board President of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Recording Academy encompassing 5 western states, Hawaii, and British Columbia.
Jeff had extensive expertise with music licensing. He has served as Vice-President of Licensing and Label Relations for PlayNetwork, Inc., a global media provider of music and video for retailers, including Starbucks, Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Hot Topic, Nordstrom, and Eddie Bauer. At PlayNetwork, Jeff created the still ongoing PlayLive Music Series, which featured over 130 major and developing artists in live intimate performances, including James Hunter, Rodney Crowell, Wendy Waldman, Colin Hay, Eric Bibb, Ben Taylor. Angelique Kidjo, Feist, and many others.
As Vice-President of Windham Hill Records, helped the world discover George Winston, Will Ackerman, Alex deGrassi, Michael Hedges and others. As Vice-President of Gold Castle Records, he worked with legendary artists Peter, Paul & Mary, Judy Collins, Bruce Cockburn, Eliza Gilkyson, Karla Bonoff, and Joan Baez, finding creative ways to build fans from a new generation. Jeff served as Senior Promotion & Marketing Consultant to Music for Little People & Earthbeat! Records, working on projects with artists Sweet Honey in the Rock, Taj Mahal, Maria Muldaur, Shadowfax, Buckwheat Zydeco and Los Lobos.
After his Windham Hill days, Jeff’s deep affinity and experience mentoring singer-songwriters led him to serve as personal manager for some of the best including Bryndle (Karla Bonoff, Wendy Waldman. Kenny Edwards & Andrew Gold), Artie Traum and David Mallett. Working with these and other artists as an independent compilation producer, successfully assembling award-winning projects for Sony Music, Walt Disney Records, Shanachie, Rounder Records, and Narada Records.
A Northwest native (Tacoma) and University of Washington graduate, there is no doubt that Jeff’s passion and knowledge was an asset to anyone aspiring for success in the music business.
Jeff was a favourite second cousin. We were closer than that sounds, and our moms were like sisters. Jeff was of course supremely friendly, loving, fun, and funny -- and giant-hearted. And without me realizing it, when I was young he was essentially my music mentor: he gave me cassettes, told me stories, and made me far less naive and ignorant about what was cool and emergent, useful in college dorms, road trips, and throughout life.
I met Jeff and the entire Heiman family when I was maybe 7-9 years. It was instant chemistry and I would try to spend as much time as possible with Jeff and Ron as possible, since they lived across the street from me and my family. We had neighborhood carnivals every summer, and yearly carnivals at the old
Temple. Jeff and I used to do a radio station from his room- interviews, news and music. This became very popular and soon we had strung speaker wire to the other end of the block so more people could listen- this was the start of Radio Free Heiman. The music, love and laughter in the house still resonates with me- and I will always cherish my memories with all of the Heimans. Jeff was taken away too soon- but everyone and everything he touched is better because of him. Gone but never forgotten- thank you Jeff for enhancing my life. I will always love you brother Jeff
Today, on what would have been Jeff's 70th birthday, I am sending so much love. This image captures the love and friendship we had and held so deeply for many years.
I miss our conversations in which we would solve all the problems of the world with hope and humor.
I miss his true and sincerest interest and curiosity he had of his friends in wanting to know what was happening in their world.
I miss listening to and discussing music and artists and going out to watch new talent that the Seattle area is so amazingly graced with, in addition to reflecting on the many other artists beyond.
I miss just so, so very much of this lovely and charming human this planet was blessed with, though mostly....
I miss his full body infectious laughter and love.
I miss you and so very much love you, Jeff Heiman