Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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HIGGINS, Billy

(b 11 Oct. '36, L.A.) Drummer, one of the best and busiest, playing on countless sessions. Began in R&B combos at age 19; Member of original Ornette Coleman quartet at the Five Spot '59, recorded on Atlantic; also LPs with Sonny Rollins on RCA, on Blue Note LPs by Sonny Clark, Dexter Gordon, Herbie Hancock, Jackie McLean, Hank Mobley; since played, recorded, toured with Gordon, Clifford Jordan, Cedar Walton, Jimmy Heath, Curtis Fuller, many others. Has played on rock and funk LPs, his technique and versatility being a crossover influence (see his entries in index), but LPs as leader have been few: a quartet with Walton, Bob Berg on tenor, Tony Dumas on bass made Soweto in Milan '79, Once More in Bologna '80 (both on Red); in NYC The Soldier late '79 with Walton, Walter Booker on bass (b 17 Dec. '33, Prairie View TX), Monty Waters on alto (b 14 April '38, Modesto CA) (vocal on "Sugar And Spice' by Roberta Davis). Also quartet Mr Billy Higgins '84 on Evidence, The Soldier with Walton on Timeless, 3/4 For Peace '93 on Red with Harold Land. Co-led Silence '87 with Charlie Haden, Chet Baker and Enrico Pieranunzi, First Song '90 without Baker, both on Soul Note.