Billy Higgins — Drums. Played on It's Time For Dave Pike, Takin' Off, The Sidewinder. Worked with Lee Morgan, Cedar Walton, Reggie Workman.
Billy Higgins's albums
Cedar Walton's longtime drummer Billy Higgins is a name in the small print of countless records. But in Leimert Park, Los Angeles, he built a place called The World Stage, gathering and encouraging young musicians. He was never only a player.
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Billy Higgins's albums
The funky feel of 'Watermelon Man' on Herbie Hancock's 1962 debut Takin' Off came from drummer Billy Higgins, who landed his stroke right between straight eighths and swung triplets. The tune would soon travel far.
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Eastern Rebellion album featuring Billy Higgins
Billy Higgins anchored Blue Note's hard-bop peak on Herbie Hancock's Takin' Off (1962) and Lee Morgan's The Sidewinder (1964). He's also credited on the 2021 release Deciphering the Message, built from vintage Blue Note tape — two decades after his death in 2001.
Billy Higgins said
He had a way of making it work, whatever you had. With Ornette, it's just 'Let's play.'
Interviewed at the World Stage in 1999, recalling his years in Ornette Coleman's band.
About Billy Higgins
Higgins, for instance, is a drummer who, when it's time for the downbeat, he's on fire immediately. There is no buildup.
Asked what he looks for in his trio sidemen, Walton points to his longtime drummer Higgins.
About Billy Higgins
Billy Higgins had a, uh, place out there, The World Stage, where he gathered and encouraged the young musicians includin' Willie.
Explaining where young Los Angeles drummers came up, Walton credits the space Higgins built.
About Billy Higgins
Billy had this way of playing that fell somewhere between straight eighth notes and the swinging triplets of jazz, and he gave the song a great funky-jazz flavor.
Recalling the 1962 recording of "Watermelon Man" for his debut LP Takin' Off.
Cedar Walton
Herbie Hancock
