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.
Doug Ramsey on Jazz and other matters...
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)