Edward Haydn Higgins was an American jazz pianist, composer, and orchestrator.
11 Facts About Eddie Higgins
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Eddie Higgins started his professional career in Chicago, Illinois, while studying at the Northwestern University School of Music and earned a spot in fellow Northwestern alumnus Paul Severson's band in 1956 before leading his own band in 1957.
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For more than two decades Eddie Higgins worked at some of Chicago's most prestigious jazz clubs, including the Brass Rail, Preview Lounge, Blue Note, Cloister Inn and Jazz, Ltd.
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Later, Eddie Higgins said the opportunities to play jazz music with Coleman Hawkins and Oscar Peterson were unforgettable moments.
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Eddie Higgins spent his time at the London House Restaurant with bassist Richard Evans and drummer Marshall Thompson.
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Eddie Higgins's versatility was captured on stage and records, backing up singers and leading his own projects as both pianist and orchestrator, working in every jazz circle from dixieland to modal styles.
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In 1970, Eddie Higgins moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and began spending winters in Florida and summers on Cape Cod, where he played in local clubs.
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Eddie Higgins died on August 31,2009, of lung and lymphatic cancer in Fort Lauderdale at the age of 77.
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Eddie Higgins mostly played bop and mainstream jazz music throughout his career.
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Eddie Higgins's melodies had groove and swing without being superfluous, and was often compared to Oscar Peterson and Nat King Cole.
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In 2009, Eddie Higgins received Jazz Disc Award from the most respected jazz magazine in Japan, Swing Journal.