Just got word that Billy Higgins died yesterday after a long battle with liver disease. He was 65.
Here's a photo link:
http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers...20Higgins.html
Any of you guys who are into jazz know about Billy. Some of you others would do well to check out some of his recordings.
Higgins is probably best known for being the drummer for the early Ornette Coleman Quartet on albums like 'Something Else' and 'Shape of Jazz to Come'. He was on the genre-naming 'Free Jazz' album with the late Ed Blackwell, who replaced him in the group.
Like a lot of in-demand rhythm players, Billy Higgins has a list of recording credits as long as the ocean is wide. I just checked out his entry in the All Music Guide webpage; his list of credits there is astonishing. He played with Monk, Coltrane, Jackie Mclean, Dexter Gordon, Steve Lacy, Lee Morgan, Joshua Redman, and Cedar Walton.
He also appears in the band backing Dexter Gordon in the movie 'Round Midnight'.
He released a handful of recordings under his own name; recommended albums include 'Mr. Billy Higgins', 'Billy Higgins Quartet', and '3/4 for Peace'.
Readers of Modern Drummer may recall the March 1999 issue which features a transcription of Higgin's drum solo on the song 'Let's Cool One' on the Steve Lacy album 'Evidence', a collection of Thelonious Monk tunes.
Cedar Walton's album 'Art Blakey Legacy' has Higgins in the Blakey role. He has a smashing solo on 'Caravan'.
Maybe some of you other jazz fans can make some recommendations.
Rest well, Mr. Higgins.
[This message has been edited by DJourg (edited May 04, 2001).]
Here's a photo link:
http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers...20Higgins.html
Any of you guys who are into jazz know about Billy. Some of you others would do well to check out some of his recordings.
Higgins is probably best known for being the drummer for the early Ornette Coleman Quartet on albums like 'Something Else' and 'Shape of Jazz to Come'. He was on the genre-naming 'Free Jazz' album with the late Ed Blackwell, who replaced him in the group.
Like a lot of in-demand rhythm players, Billy Higgins has a list of recording credits as long as the ocean is wide. I just checked out his entry in the All Music Guide webpage; his list of credits there is astonishing. He played with Monk, Coltrane, Jackie Mclean, Dexter Gordon, Steve Lacy, Lee Morgan, Joshua Redman, and Cedar Walton.
He also appears in the band backing Dexter Gordon in the movie 'Round Midnight'.
He released a handful of recordings under his own name; recommended albums include 'Mr. Billy Higgins', 'Billy Higgins Quartet', and '3/4 for Peace'.
Readers of Modern Drummer may recall the March 1999 issue which features a transcription of Higgin's drum solo on the song 'Let's Cool One' on the Steve Lacy album 'Evidence', a collection of Thelonious Monk tunes.
Cedar Walton's album 'Art Blakey Legacy' has Higgins in the Blakey role. He has a smashing solo on 'Caravan'.
Maybe some of you other jazz fans can make some recommendations.
Rest well, Mr. Higgins.
[This message has been edited by DJourg (edited May 04, 2001).]
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