Billy Higgins Radio Interview by Glen Alpert

The legendary jazz drummer Billy Higgins was interviewed by Glen Alpert in May of 1999. Glen produced the interview for his radio show on KRCB in Rohnert Park, CA. Glen was kind enough to give us permission to post the program on this KZbin channel.
In this interview, Billy talks about working with Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane. Ornette Coleman, Cedar Walton, and others.
Billy Higgins was an outstanding drummer and was much in demand. He played on over 700 recordings including many Blue Note classics.
He was born in Los Angeles in 1936 and passed away in 2001 at age 64.
For more info, check out Wikipedia for Billy's biography and discography.

[@quintinfranklin9168]

BILLY HIGGINS, HIS DRUMS & ARTISTRY SAID IT ALL! Thank you, Dan!

[@ezramacarena3406]

an absolute gem of a human being , artist , musician , teacher , drummer and more. big ups to those whom helped to make this available.bless

[@JabalBob]

Beauuuutiful!! Straight truth and wisdom and music. Words can't describe Billy's dedication and brilliance -- miss seeing and hearing him. My deep appreciation and gratitude for posting this.

[@vova47]

Cedar Walton, Sam Jones and Billy Higgins were one of the best rhythm sections of all time. Their contribution is still overlooked by many interviewers.

[@quintinfranklin9168]

Wow, Billy's playing is like a gentle water stream!

[@jackdolphy8965]

Fantastic interview. Bravo that you played substantial time from the several LPs featured !! Listers who are not yet born will appreciate being escorted into the music. You have given a huge gift to the future. 🙏🏽

[@danmccloskyradiointerviews]

Glad you enjoyed it! I'll pass your comments on to Glen Alpert.

[@myroncohen7619]

Thank You so very much for putting forth all the efforts to post this rare and informative interview . May u continue to unearth additional content about Mr.Higgins.Many people who were involved and continue to support The World Stage have much to offer to you in terms of their remembrances of Billy, and hopefully you will meet and interview some of them.M you are a treasure source of a Musical knowledge and inspiration …Please Keep Going Forward with this project as it is great to hear the voice of the artist u feature..All my best to u!

[@PabloVestory]

Thank you so much! amazing document about a True Legend, with great musical selection! OMG that phrase: 55:25 "...playing music you got people's feelings in your hands, you have responsability..." many books and doctoral thesis could be written about that only

[@willieluncheonette5843]

my favorite drummer with Monk when he had his long standing quartet.

[@postatility9703]

Billy Higgins' sound is the sound of Blue Note Records of the 60's.

[@jerrybauer8108]

With Billy I met so often that I can call him a friend. I equipped him with music of tribal Africa and when he saw me he called out: "Hey, Jerry where are those mandatory cassettes?"

[@rhythmfield]

Wait …. What?

[@richardharris5462]

I saw Billy with Harold Land & Bobby Hutcherson and what surprised me was how "heavy" & deep his sound was, almost Elvin and/or Frank Butler in texture. It's his cymbal playing that first grabbed me, but he can punch! And every time Harold Land played something he particularly liked...BIG BIG smile! Great guy in every way.

[@najidrum]

Thank you so much.. ive been looking for Higgins interviews for so long!!

[@danmccloskyradiointerviews]

Thanks. Really pleased Glen Alpert did the interview and allowed me to post it on the channel.

[@rhythmfield]

Deep thanks for a wonderful and extraordinarily important interview with a top-dog drum master!

[@rhythmfield]

Correction or addition: top-dog master Musician

[@Musicbottle1]

Thank You!

[@danmccloskyradiointerviews]

You're welcome!

[@edcherry9282]

And great guitar player too..Brazilian style

[@rhythmfield]

Love the train whistle periodically ‘comping’ at certain moments

[@stix9641]

Hip❤

[@independencemp3]

Catalina’s Bar and Grill many times. Man,he played the melody with sticks!

[@BONHAMOLOGY]

beautiful, thanks for sharing this gem. Can you tell me where that last solo is from? The recording?

[@danmccloskyradiointerviews]

Don't know where it came from unfortunately. I checked with Glen Alpert but he doesn't recall either. Wish I did know cuz it's a really interesting recording.

[@JefferyDonald-os9uf]

My whole family is Muslim cause of Abdullah Kareem ( Billy Higgins)

[@ronancowan]

What is the Cedar Walton trio track they play about 50:00 minutes in?

[@glen7571]

It's a piece called "Calmita Rose" by the Sweet Basil Trio (Cedar Walton, David Williams, Billy Higgins). Written by Ken Baldock. Recorded 1993, released 1997. I'm not sure if it's the original issue but it is on a recording, You're My Everything.

[@ronancowan]

@@glen7571 thanks so much!

[@danmccloskyradiointerviews]

It's called Calmita Rose. From the 1997 album called 'Your My Everything' . Cedar Walton, David Williams and Billy Higgins.

[@56spider]

and from what recording was that last long drum solo from? please.. Ty.

[@danmccloskyradiointerviews]

I've tried to search for it but no luck. I checked with Glen Alpert and he didn't recall what record it was on. If anyone knows, please inform me. Thanks

[@reidwhitton6248]

Higgins was born in 1936 not 1931.

[@danmccloskyradiointerviews]

Thanks for the correction. I will change it to 1936

[@sulevisydanmaa9981]

Got any Jackkkie Mac stuff ? Bedduhhh naw yahr !

[@danmccloskyradiointerviews]

Not any at this time. Maybe I'll come across one in the future.