Billy Higgins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Billy Higgins
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Billy Higgins in 1978.
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| Background information | |
| Born | October 11, 1936 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | May 3, 2001 (aged 64) Inglewood, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, educator |
| Instruments | Drums |
| Associated acts | Ornette Coleman, Herbie Hancock, Cedar Walton, Charles Lloyd, Pat Metheny |
Billy Higgins (born October 11, 1936 – died May 3, 2001) was an amazing American jazz drummer. He was known for playing different styles of jazz, including free jazz (a more open and experimental style) and hard bop (a powerful, soulful jazz style).
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Who Was Billy Higgins?
Billy Higgins was born in Los Angeles, California, in the United States. He started his music journey playing drums with famous jazz musicians. One of his first big breaks was playing on Ornette Coleman's early records, starting in 1958.
Billy became a very busy drummer. He played with many other important jazz artists. These included Donald Byrd, Dexter Gordon, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Thelonious Monk, Pat Metheny, and Sonny Rollins. He was often called a "house drummer" for Blue Note Records. This meant he played on many albums for that record label in the 1960s. He also played on over 700 recordings in his career. These recordings included different types of music, like rock and funk.
In 2001, Billy Higgins appeared as a jazz drummer in a movie called Southlander.
Helping Young Musicians
Billy Higgins loved to help other musicians. In 1989, he helped start a special place in Los Angeles called The World Stage. This center was created to support and encourage younger jazz musicians. It offers workshops where young artists can learn about performing and writing music. It also hosts concerts and helps musicians record their songs.
Billy also shared his knowledge by teaching. He was part of the jazz studies program at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
His Final Years
Billy Higgins passed away on May 3, 2001. He died at a hospital in Inglewood, California, due to kidney and liver failure.
Billy Higgins' Music
Billy Higgins released several albums as a band leader. This means he was in charge of the music and the band.
Albums as a Leader
- 1979: Soweto
- 1979: The Soldier
- 1980: Once More
- 1984: Mr. Billy Higgins
- 1980-86: Bridgework
- 1994: ¾ for Peace
- 1997: Billy Higgins Quintet
- 2001: The Best of Summer Nights at Moca
Playing with Other Artists
Billy Higgins played drums on hundreds of albums for other musicians. He worked with many jazz legends. Some of these included:
- Ornette Coleman (on albums like The Shape of Jazz to Come)
- Herbie Hancock (on Takin' Off)
- Dexter Gordon (on Go)
- Lee Morgan (on The Sidewinder)
- Pat Metheny (on Rejoicing)
- John Coltrane (on Like Sonny)
- Thelonious Monk (on Thelonious Monk at the Blackhawk)
- Sonny Rollins (on Our Man in Jazz)
- Charles Lloyd (on Voice in the Night)
- Cedar Walton (on many albums, including Eastern Rebellion)
See also
In Spanish: Billy Higgins para niños
