Los Angeles, CA (Los Angeles Co ) Sentinel · (Cir. W. 38,000)
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P. C. B. Est. 1888 ocal Jazz International usician to be Honored When speaking of contemporary Coltrane , Thelonious Monk, Higgins has turned much of his en jazz and drums, there is no doubt Sonny R ollins, Lee Morgan, ergies toward composition and that Billy Higgins is one of the first Jackie McLean, Dexter Gordon teaching, as well as leading his own names spoken. 7 J_ 1 and Hank Mobley. group. In 1986 Higgins was nomi Higgins, note as th~ most re In the early 70s, Higgins began nated for a Grammy for his drum corded drummer in the history of the ongoing and fruitfu l association ming with Round Midnight. jazz will be honored at the Watts with pianist Cedar Walton which The Center is located at 10950 Labor CommunityACtion continues today. Besides his work South Central Ave in Los Angeles. Committee's The Ccntei ti ns Friday as a regular member of the Cedar Tickets are on sale for $20 in ad at the organization's monthly Bones Walton Trio, Higgins is a member vance and $25 at the door. Doors & Blues venue. of Timeless All-Stars and the Hank open at 6:30 p.m. Show starts at 7 However, the event will do more Jones Trio. p.m. For more information call (323) than pay tribute to Higgins. It is also Over the last two decades, 563-4746 a benefit concert to offset medical · ______..,....., bills that have amassed as a result of Higgins' current illness. A fi xture and icon in the Leimert Park Village, Higgins is a co-owner of the World Stage. This historical locale is a popular jazz, poetry, sing ing and entertainment venue, as well as an artist train ing locale. Known to always be a part of the festivals in Leimert Park Village, Higgins fi rmly stated at the areas re-open ing of the park, "I am part of this place and it is part of me. I love it." A native of Los Angeles, the 60-plus Hi ggins has proven to be one of th e most consiste ntly inven ti ve of post-bop drummers. Known for hi s melodic and subtle swing and his infectious smile, hi s love affair with the drums which began at the tender age of five has grown and matured. He began his professional ca reer as a teenager when he started working around Los Angeles with such local giants as Dexter Gor don , Teddy Edwards, Leroy Binnegar, Don Cherry and Ornette Coleman. In 1959, Billy traveled to New York with the now legendary Ornette Coleman Qu rtet that also included trumpeter Don Cherry and bassist Charlie Haden. This unit worked around the ci ty for two years incl ud ing a year at New York's famed Five
. S p.o_t.. ,. ! ✓ • • _ , . By .1961 he had already begun to make a name for himself in New York, and during the next decade Higgins went on to play and record with some of the most illustrious names in jazz, including John