Eddie Higgins Trio – Bewitched (2001) [Japan 2003] [SACD / Venus Records – TKGV-8]

Eddie Higgins Trio - Bewitched (2001) [Japan 2003]

Title: Eddie Higgins Trio – Bewitched (2001) [Japan 2003]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Renowned jazz pianist Eddie Higgins is joined here by bassist Jay Leonhart and drummer Joe Ascione for a set of standards including “You Must Believe In Spring”, “Bewitched, Botherd, And Bewildered” and “Autumn Leaves”.

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1 min read

Eddie Higgins Trio – A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening (2007) [SACD / Venus Records – VHGD-93]

Eddie Higgins Trio - A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening (2007)

Title: Eddie Higgins Trio – A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening (2007)
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Spectacular playing by Higgins accompanied and backed by Jay Leonhart on bass and Mark Taylor on drums. I will confess that my favorite drummer who was frequently a member of Higgins’ trios was Joe Ascione, but Taylor is perfect on this album. If you are a Higgins fan, then you are probably familiar with Leonhart who is almost telepathically connected to Higgins.

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1 min read

Eddie Higgins Trio – Again (2000) [SACD / Venus Records – VHGD-57]

Eddie Higgins Trio - Again (2000)

Title: Eddie Higgins Trio – Again (2000)
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

One of a handful of the very best piano jazz interpreters in the world, Eddie Higgins takes his place along side Beegie Adair, Dick Hyman, Oscar Peterson, John Proulx, Hank Jones, and maybe five or six other masters. This CD, like all his albums is stunning in its simplicity and in its complexity. A master of interpretation, melodic invention and smooth, easy jazz at his peak.

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1 min read

Eddie Higgins – Standards by Request, Solo Piano – 2nd Day (2008) [Japan 2016] [SACD / Venus Records – VHGD-152]

Eddie Higgins - Standards by Request, Solo Piano - 2nd Day (2008) [Japan 2016]

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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1 min read

Eddie Higgins – Standards by Request, Solo Piano – 1st Day (2008) [Japan 2015] [SACD / Venus Records – VHGD-87]

Eddie Higgins - Standards by Request, Solo Piano - 1st Day (2008) [Japan 2015]

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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2 min read

Eddie Higgins Quintet – It’s Magic (2007) [Japan 2015] [SACD / Venus Records – VHGD-51]

Eddie Higgins Quintet - It's Magic (2007) [Japan 2015]

Title: Eddie Higgins Quintet – It’s Magic (2007) [Japan 2015]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Through his numerous albums released from Venus Records, Eddie Higgins has firmly established his position as one of the most celebrated jazz pianists in Japan. For this album, which was released in 2007 in its original form, Higgins was paired with two veteran horn players who share his mature, straight-ahead sensibilities: Scott Hamilton and Ken Peplowski.

Eddie Higgins has been an active jazz musician since the late ’50s, though he has developed an especially strong following in Japan, resulting in numerous opportunities to record for Japanese jazz labels. This single-disc set features the bandleader with tenor saxophonists Scott Hamilton and Ken Peplowski, along with bassist Jay Leonhart and drummer Ben Riley. The primary focus is on slow, lush interpretations of ballads, with Hamilton having more of a straight-ahead approach when compared to Peplowski’s more personal, conversational style. Exceptions include the snappy, swinging take of “I Never Knew,” a breezy arrangement with Peplowski’s gritty solo taking top honors, and the driving explorations of “Autumn Leaves.” Peplowski switches to clarinet for part of the session, especially the gorgeous take of “Mood Indigo.” Throughout the date, Higgins’ engaging piano seems effortless, as the songs have likely long been a part of his repertoire.

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2 min read

Eddie Higgins Quartet – When Your Lover Has Gone (1994) [Japan 2017] [SACD / Venus Records – VHCD-3040]

Eddie Higgins Quartet - When Your Lover Has Gone (1994) [Japan 2017]

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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1 min read

Eddie Higgins Quartet – Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (2002) [Japan 2003] [SACD / Venus Records – VHGD-1]

Eddie Higgins Quartet - Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (2002) [Japan 2003]

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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2 min read