Eddie Higgins, Standards by Request, 1st Day and 2nd Day(Venus). Among those mourning Higgins’ death are virtually all other jazz pianists and the Japanese. He was a celebrity among the large and enthusiastic coterie of listeners in Japan who are devoted to piano jazz. Higgins recorded nearly two dozen albums for Japan’s Venus label. These solo CDs from 2008 present him in all of his sleek melodicism, harmonic resourcefulness, subtle swing and quiet wit. Most of these interpretations of standards last around four minutes. That’s all he needed to find the heart of a song.
CD: Eddie Higgins
September 2, 2009 by
The nonagenarian pianist presented de Barros with every biographer’s hope, unrestricted access to his subject’s personal papers and nearly unrestricted access to her private thoughts. He made the most of it, turning exhaustive research and hundreds of hours of interviews into a true story with the sweep of a novel. From the early discovery of McPartland’s musical gift through her wartime service, her ecstatic and stormy marriage to Jimmy McPartland, her growth as a pianist, her deep affair with Joe Morello, and the radio show that made her a national figure, she has had a fascinating life. It makes a splendid read.
Mulligan’s Concert Jazz Band had three fewer musicians than most big jazz outfits. Its size permitted precision, flexibility and subtlety, yet the band had the power of sprung steel. In this concert from a half century ago, the CJB is as fresh as yesterday. Arrangements by Mulligan, Bob Brookmeyer, Al Cohn and Johnny Mandel set standards to which big band writers still aspire. Bassist Buddy Clark and drummer Mel Lewis inspired Mulligan, Brookmeyer, Conte Candoli, Gene Quill and Zoot Sims to some of the best soloing of their careers. This beautifully produced issue of the complete concert is a basic repertoire item.
In l957, I had the pleasure of working with Eddie in Chicago at the Cloisters. He always possessed a great touch, sense of harmony and
time. Besides being a very involved musician.
In 2007, not having been in touch with him but often thinking of him and wondering where he was and what he was doing, I ran into him at the
Sweet’n Hot Jazz Festival in Santa Monica. We were both amazed after 57 years that we caught up with each other.
Eddie has always been at the very top of my list of favorite pianists.
I ordered l0 albums from him which I treasure and enjoy so very much.
Hearing of his death and not knowing he was ill is a shock. A terrible blow to realize we won’t have the in-person opportunity to aabsorb the beauty of his expression.
My deepest sympathies to his wife, Meredith, of whom he was so very proud.
(If it has been a while since you heard Ms. Olay, here is her guest appearance on a 1967 Merv Griffin Show. — DR)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbxdli39ff4