R.I.P.: Eddie Higgins

(born February 21, 1932, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA;
died August 31, 2009 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA)

http://www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/8541/79/

Flawless” Piano Master, Eddie Higgins, Passes Away at 77
Written by Andrea Canter, Contributing Editor (Jazz Police)
Wednesday, 02 September 2009

“When he played at the London House, a lot of times the main act did not want to follow him -- or shouldn't have. He was brilliant and had tons of chops without being flamboyant. He had gorgeous facility, and he was high-class all the way. He never resorted to any cheap tricks. ... He was flawless." –Judy Roberts (former pianist at the London House, Chicago)

One of the most distinctive and beloved of Chicago pianists who had partially retired to Florida in recent years, Haydn "Eddie" Higgins died of lung and lymphatic cancer on Monday, August 31, at Holy Cross Hospital in Ft. Lauderdale. Known for his years as house pianist at Chicago’s famed London House, long-underappreciated swing/bop master Higgins gained more national acclaim in his later years, which included two live recordings at the old and new Dakota Jazz Clubs in the Twin Cities. His most recent visit was in November 2008, for a trio gig with guitarist Reuben Ristrom (who appears on both live recordings) and bassist Graydon Peterson.

A native New Englander, Higgins settled in Chicago while attending Northwestern University’s School of Music. Playing mostly trio in formats for 20 years, he was on stage at many of the Windy City’s best known clubs, including the Brass Rail, Preview Lounge, Blue Note, Cloister Inn and Jazz Ltd. He had a long stint at the famed London House where he often played opposite Oscar Peterson and George Shearing in the 50s and 60s. In Chicago, he made a number of recordings as leader as well as with such luminaries as Coleman Hawkins, Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, Jack Teagarden, and Al Grey. Additionally he backed many vocalists, worked as studio pianist and arranger, and played everything from Dixieland to modern jazz.

Dividing his time between Ft. Lauderdale and Cape Cod in “semi-retirement,” he often worked with his wife, singer/pianist Meredith d'Ambrusio, and released a number of recordings for the Japanese label “Venus,” hitting the number 1 sales spot several times. In recent years, Higgins recorded even more prolifically, finally gaining recognition for his “master's touch....[and] dazzling dynamic range” (Sam Lesner, Chicago Daily). A frequent performer at festivals around the world, Eddie Higgins was the only featured performer invited back 18 times on the SS Norway’s Annual Jazz Cruise each year since its beginning. Noted the Raleigh News and Observer, “Like Hank Jones and the late Nat King Cole, he’s an orderly player whether romping with the blues or delineating a tender waltz.”

Early in the millennium, Eddie Higgins joined up with bassist Brian Torff and Twin Cities guitar wizard Reuben Ristrom to make the first local recording at the old Dakota in St. Paul. In 2005, Higgins returned, again with Ristrom and bassist Tom Lewis, to repeat history with two nights of live recording at the “new” Dakota in downtown Minneapolis. The result was a sublime set, What’s New? (TC Jazz Records), covering standards from Ray Noble to Jerome Kern to Hoagy Carmichael to Charlie Parker.

Said Chicago trombonist Russ Phillips, who cut four recordings with Eddie, "He was as fun to play with as he was to listen to. You couldn't play a wrong note when you were with Eddie."

In addition to his wife, Eddie Higgins is survived by his daughters, Lela Damico and Shelley Freedman, and four grandchildren.

For a more local perspective, see Andrea Canter's blog (9/2/09) at www.jazzink.blogspot.com