Billy Higgins
b. 11 October 1936, Los Angeles, California, USA. Higgins began playing drums at the age of 12 and early in his career played with R&B bands. He was soon involved in jazz, playing with other local musicians, including Dexter Gordon. In 1957 he was in the quartet led by Red Mitchell which also included pianist Lorraine Geller and tenor saxophonist James Clay. This band recorded for Lester Koenig's Contemporary label, on what was Higgins' first record date. In New York in 1959 he appeared with Ornette Coleman at the altoist's controversial Five Spot concerts, in a band which also included Don Cherry and Charlie Haden. Later that year he joined Thelonious Monk and in 1960 was with John Coltrane. Throughout the '60s Higgins was in demand for tours, club dates and a staggering number of recording sessions, many of them for the Blue Note label. Amongst the artists with whom he played were Sonny Rollins, Steve Lacy, Donald Byrd, Gordon, Lee Morgan, Herbie Hancock and Hank Mobley. His activities increased during the '70s and he worked extensively with Cedar Walton and was also on dates with Milt Jackson and Art Pepper. In the '80s his musical companions included Coleman, Pat Metheny and Slide Hampton. Although the musical styles of Higgins' associates have latterly ranged through freeform, jazz-rock and jazz-funk, he has readily established himself as one of the two or three leading exponents of each form of drumming. He brings to his playing a remarkable subtlety and lithe swing akin to that of the best bop drummers, while readily accommodating the complex needs of the styles in which he plays. Eagerly sought out for clinics, he continues to influence many younger drummers.