The
jazz world lost one of its greatest men with the passing of
legendary drummer Billy Higgins on May 3rd, 2001. Few
musicians have ever been more loved by their both their peers
and fans as Billy, who even when illness made life painful,
was always wearing his trademark smile. As the most recorded
drummer in jazz history, Billy's impact on the music is hard
to ignore and his many recordings as a sideman and as a leader
will serve to reward listeners for as long as people listen to
America's true art form. All those who knew Billy would agree
that he truly was a great spirit, and his love of music and of
life touched people all throughout the world. Here in Fresno
his impact was felt as well, with Fresno State's decision in
1999 to honor Billy by naming its new jazz festival in his
honor. Not only did Billy provide Fresno audiences with many
magical evenings of music, but he was also touched by the
outpouring of support for jazz among the musicians, fans and
students of Central California. Always one eager to give back
to the community, Billy's performances at local grade schools
captivated the imaginations of hundreds of young Fresnans, and
his spirit and dedication to jazz inspired countless others
from across the Valley. With this website, we aim to return
the favor and pay tribute to the life and legacy of a man who
touched us all.
Photo
of Billy Higgins by Jimmy Katz
- Used with permission.
Billy
Higgins Photo Gallery
Billy Higgins in rehearsal at Fresno
State - April 1st 2000 - Photo by Peter Leitch
Billy
Higgins and Charles Lloyd in concert at Royce Hall - UCLA - 1/18/00
Billy
Higgins poses for a promotional photo for Remo Drums - late 1990's
Billy
Higgins in concert at Fresno State - May 1st, 1999 - Photo by Peter Leitch
Billy
Higgins gives a drum lesson at the West Fresno Middle School - April
1999
Billy
Higgins with his trademark smile
Billy
Higgins
Billy
Higgins
Billy
Higgins
Billy
Higgins
Billy
Higgins at the West Fresno Middle School - April 1999
Articles and
Websites about Billy Higgins - updated 01/14/02
As
A Leader-
Billy
Higgins Quintet - (Evidence) 1997 Once
More - (Red) 1995 3/4
For Peace - (Red) 1994 Mr.
Billy Higgins - (Evidence) 1984 Bridgework
- (Contemporary) 1980 Soweto
- (Red) 1979
As
A Co-Leader-
Acoustic
Masters I - (Atlantic) 1994 Eastern
Rebellion - Just One of Those Nights - (MusicMasters) 1995 Eastern
Rebellion - Volume II - (Timeless) 1977 Eastern
Rebellion - Volume I - (Timeless) 1975 Timeless
Allstars - Timeless Heart - (Timeless) 1983 Sweet
Basil Trio - You're My Everything - (Evidence) 1997 Sweet
Basil Trio - My Funny Valentine - (Evidence) 1995
As
A Sideman-
Paul
Bley - Live at the Hillcrest Club Ornette
Coleman - The Shape of Jazz To Come - (Atlantic) 1959 Thelonious
Monk - At the Blackhawk - (Riverside) 1960 Dexter
Gordon - GO - (Blue Note) - 1962 Herbie
Hancock - Takin' Off - (Blue Note) 1962 Lee
Morgan - The Sidewinder - (Blue Note) 1963 Lee
Morgan - Cornbread - (Blue Note) 1965 Bobby
Hutcherson - Stick Up - (Blue Note) 1966 Dexter
Gordon - Generation - (Prestige) 1972 Joe
Henderson - Mirror Mirror - (Verve) 1980 Pat
Metheny - Rejoicing - (ECM) 1982 Bobby
Hutcherson - Farewell Keystone - (Evidence) 1982 Cedar
Walton - Among Friends - (Evidence) 1982 Joshua
Redman - Wish - (Warner Brothers) 1994 Harold
Land - A Lazy Afternoon - (Postcards) 1994 Kamau
Daaood - Leimert Park - (MAMA) 1997 Charles
Lloyd - Voice In the Night - (ECM) 1999 Jackie
McLean - Nature Boy - (Blue Note) 1999 Charles
Lloyd - The Water Is Wide - (ECM) 2000
Charles
Lloyd - Hyperion With Higgins - (ECM) 2000 John
Scofield - Works for Me - (Verve) 2000 Harold
Land - Promised Land - (Audiophoric) 2000
The
jazz world lost one of its greatest men with the passing of
legendary drummer Billy Higgins on May 3rd, 2001. Few
musicians have ever been more loved by their both their peers
and fans as Billy, who even when illness made life painful,
was always wearing his trademark smile. As the most recorded
drummer in jazz history, Billy's impact on the music is hard
to ignore and his many recordings as a sideman and as a leader
will serve to reward listeners for as long as people listen to
America's true art form. All those who knew Billy would agree
that he truly was a great spirit, and his love of music and of
life touched people all throughout the world. Here in Fresno
his impact was felt as well, with Fresno State's decision in
1999 to honor Billy by naming its new jazz festival in his
honor. Not only did Billy provide Fresno audiences with many
magical evenings of music, but he was also touched by the
outpouring of support for jazz among the musicians, fans and
students of Central California. Always one eager to give back
to the community, Billy's performances at local grade schools
captivated the imaginations of hundreds of young Fresnans, and
his spirit and dedication to jazz inspired countless others
from across the Valley. With this website, we aim to return
the favor and pay tribute to the life and legacy of a man who
touched us all.
