Billy Higgins

Jazz drummer Billy Higgins played on over 700 recordings. He worked with Ornette Coleman, Pat Metheny, Dexter Gordon and even some rock artists! His top quality performance matched by his joyful energy and showmanship has inspired many of todays great drummers. Find out why on the Monday night 9 O'clock special, when we celebrate jazz legend Billy Higgins.

9 O'clock Jazz Special for 10/11

Two legendary jazz drummers share a birthday today, Billy Higgins, from LA and Art Blakey, from Pittsburgh. Blakey started the Jazz Messengers with Horace Silver, and his band continued to be a school for modern jazz players, including Wynton Marsalis and Terence Blanchard. Billy Higgins who started in LA playing rock n roll with Bo Diddley also played free jazz with Ornette Coleman and became the hard bop house drummer for Blue Note records. Enjoy the different styles of two jazz Icons, Art Blakey and Billy Higgins, tonight on the 9 O'clock Special. Jazz awakes tonight at 8.

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