Tag: Eddie Higgins Quartet

Title: Eddie Higgins – You Don’t Know What Love Is (2003) [Venus Japan]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Eddie Higgins has been on the jazz scene for a long time, but he seems to be a best-kept secret by those able to track down his various releases for independent labels in the U.S. or Japanese titles, such as this one from Venus. This 2003 session features the veteran purely as a soloist, performing a dozen of his favorite ballads. While most of them are time-tested standards such as the elegant “My Funny Valentine,” the shimmering “Beautiful Love,” or “Skylark” (with an Asian-sounding introduction that suggests the humor of its composer), there are some lesser-known gems as well. The bittersweet ballad “Yellow Days” hardly pops up on many jazz CDs, though Higgins’ richly textured arrangement should attract other musicians to it. Even though one doesn’t hear the lyrics to “Again,” this seasoned pianist seems to get across the implied apology to a loved one for a senseless quarrel. “Dance Only with Me,” an overlooked jewel by the masterful songwriting team of Comden, Green, and Styne, is arranged as an elegant, deliberate waltz. Recorded and mixed in glorious 24-bit digital sound, this is easily one of Eddie Higgins’ best all-around recordings.

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Title: Eddie Higgins With Strings – Moonlight Becomes You (2003) [Japan]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Moonlight Becomes You finds jazz pianist Eddie Higgins leading a quintet featuring Joe Cohn (guitar), Jay Leonhart (bass), Joe Locke (vibraphone) and Joe Ascione (drums) in a sophisticated set of standards with string arrangements by Dick Lieb.

Eddie Higgins fronts a quintet, with string arrangements by Dick Lieb backing him on most tracks, as he covers ten standards. The effect of this lineup invites comparisons to the George Shearing Quintet of old. Vibraphonist Joe Locke, guitarist Joe Cohn, bassist Jay Leonhart, and drummer Joe Ascione are first-rate musicians who primarily stick to supporting roles, though Cohn’s tasty solo in “The Folks Who Live on the Hill” and Leonhart’s call and response with the leader and Locke’s dancing vibes add some variety in a brisk treatment of “If I Should Lose You.” The snappy arrangement of “Have You Met Miss Jones?” showcases Higgins and Locke. The final track, “When April Comes,” is an original ballad by the leader in a soft bossa nova setting. The overall effect of this recommended release makes it perfect for late-evening listening with someone special.

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Title: Eddie Higgins – Standards by Request, Solo Piano – 2nd Day (2008) [Japan 2016]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Here you have a second collection of standards requested by readers of Swing Journal. Forty of the top requests were given to Higgins and the plan was to record material for only one album. However, after recording 15 tracks on the first day – an extraordinary feat in itself – Higgins wanted to continue. So another recording took place the next day where Higgins recorded another 15 tracks. No music sheets were involved. Higgins is so talented as a pianist that his own arranging and pacing of tunes – as well as its spontaneous arrangement – were highly successful. The producer didn’t feel the need to change a thing.

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Title: Eddie Higgins – Standards by Request, Solo Piano – 1st Day (2008) [Japan 2015]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Pianist Eddie Higgins may not be well known in the U.S., but he is hands down the most famous and prolific musician on the Venus Records roster. Since his 1997 Venus debut, Higgins has released more than 20 albums from the label. This release is the first from a pair of solo piano albums that include a collection of standards requested by readers of Swing Journal. Forty of the top requests were given to Higgins and the plan was to record material for only one album. However, after recording 15 tracks on the first day – an extraordinary feat in itself – Higgins wanted to continue. So another recording took place the next day where Higgins recorded another 15 tracks.

The tracks on this release are presented in the order they were recorded. No music sheets were involved. Higgins is so talented as a pianist that his own arranging and pacing of tunes – as well as its spontaneous arrangement – were highly successful. The producer didn’t feel the need to change a thing. Standards by Request 1st Day shows why Higgins is such a popular artist. It’s all here – the beautiful sound, exquisite touch, stylish swing, and harmonious improvisation. Sit back and enjoy the work of a master!

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Title: Eddie Higgins Quartet – When Your Lover Has Gone (1994) [Japan 2017]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Eddie Higgins’s delicate tone and conception were often compared to those of Bill Evans, one of the most influential and successful jazz pianists. He mostly played bop and mainstream jazz music throughout his career. Higgins was at home playing melodies with groove and swing-like feeling without being too superfluous. “When Your Lover Has Gone”, originally issued in France as “Zoot’s Hymns”, the Eddie Higgins Quartet performs favorite jazz standards and originals on this consistently swinging set. “Zoot’s Hymns” is a Higgins original that sets the tone for the album (of which many but not all of the songs were formerly performed by Zoot Sims); other highlights include “The Red Door”, “In Your Own Sweet Way”, “Hi Fly”, and “‘Tis Autumn”.

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Title: Eddie Higgins Quartet – Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (2002) [Japan 2003]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

A wonderful album by the pianist extraordinaire Eddie Higgins with tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton. These veterans make gorgeous, romantic and beautiful music together. A classic! They are also joined by Steve Gilmore on bass and Bill Goodwin on drums.

Listening to this SACD, which reached a number one chart position in Japan, is like slipping into a bubbly hot tub with a glass of champagne: relaxing and sparkling at the same time. The ever-classy Eddie Higgins Trio is joined throughout by the superb Scott Hamilton, a fluid tenorist in the romantic tradition of Lester Young and Ben Webster, with soul-touching low notes and never a squawk or squeal. Borrowing the perfect image from master critic Whitney Balliett, Hamilton’s sound is like “firelit mahogany.” All the playing here is elegant and swinging: classic material delivered lovingly and without cliché. Higgins’ gentle improvisations are often as beautiful as the original melodies (see, for example, his introduction and solos on the title track). He’s also unique in his use of Bach-inspired counterlines to add depth and interest to the harmony; this is particularly evident on the faster tunes like “It’s a Lonesome Old Town” and “Lullaby of the Leaves,” where these left-hand figures supply extra propulsion and support for Hamilton’s solos. Another distinction is the group’s approach to “You Don’t Know What Love Is” and “When the Sun Comes Out,” timeless torch songs that are traditionally angst-ridden features for vocalists; in these hands, the flow of melody transcends any despair associated with the lyrics. Even the opening ballad, “Melancholy Rhapsody,” is lightened by the tenderness of the playing. While the liners are in Japanese, the superb quality of the music needs no translation. Recommended.

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