It's a Gretsch set, played by many of the jazz greats in the past. Billy used mostly Zildjian cymbals, but had a Paiste 602 22" or 24" ride that he used a lot. I think it was he who put Ed Blackwell on to them. Gretsch drums were popular with jazz drummers because they sounded great at lower volume levels. The combination of cast hoops (reduced the overtones on the edge of the head), the shell construction (no re-rings), the silver paint on the inside of the shells (reduced internal reflections), all combined to give the drums a clean, tonally clear sound. Rim shots sounded cleaner and often louder as well, plus they were easier to tune and stayed in tune longer than many other drums. I've always been a fan of them, along with the old Premier stuff from the '60's.
I heard Mr. Higgins and Don Cherry in a recording studio on Venice Blvd. around 1979. He was smiling at me through the booth even though I was just a bystander there. I will never forget being in the presence of such greatness! Regards, Paul Yoshinaga
I've been waiting for this one. I feel like Billy could do no wrong. He always seemed to make the right choices on every tune, and his time feel is oh soooo good.
A wonderful musician - always swinging, always serving the music…I had the good fortune to see him in the ‘90’s with Cedar Walton at Ronnie’s in London. Best drum lesson I ever had!😎
...Had actually the great honor of seeing this gentleman play in Paris in the 80's, with Cedar Walton. Simply outstanding. He actually started playing while the drum set was being installed... Never heard anybody so smooth on the drum kit.
Looks like an old Gretsch USA Custom kit & some old K Ziljians. He looks like he's having fun & that's what drumming should be. Louis Bellson said the faster you play, the more relaxed you have to be. Billy is the perfect example of this concept in motion!
@@musamusashi Thanks for the information, yes I forgot that some jazz drummers did like to use the Paiste 602 line of cymbals! Also Paiste was the first to make a flat ride cymbal, the flat ride was often used by jazz drummers for that solid stick sound with just a little wash!
Mr. Davis, I’ve watched this Billy video so many times….but watching it this time with your guidance was really special - you hipped me (us!) to some concepts and ways of perceiving the depth of musical interplay that might not have been readily apparent otherwise. So here is a big THANKS!!
Fabulous... thank you for these wonderful moments and for all the contributions you share. Very grateful and delighted to be able to greet you again. My best wishes for whatever you undertake and an affectionate hug Mr. Davis... Thank you 🥁
His smile, his posture, his touch... One of my all time favorites. Saw him live twice: once was a reunion of the historical Ornette Coleman quartet, alongside Don Cherry and Charlie Haden in the mid 80's. He was also a devout Muslim who did great work in the LA community he was originally from. Another great but not hugely famous master, i would love you to feature, if you haven't done it already, is Ed Blackwell who also played alongside Billy in Ornette's Free Jazz double quartet.
Hello Q! I was saving this video for a calm moment to full enjoy it! What an AMAZING drummer, what an amazing band and what an amazing music! Thanks for the share and the insights! Have a nice week!!!
Caught Billy Higgins first with Ornette Coleman at Newport. Always tried to play that but......Thank you for the video Q. You are a great teacher and a great drummer too.
Love this, what a master. I saw him many times, but the one time that really stands out was at the Keystone Corner in S.F.playing with the great Dexter Gordon, with George Cables on the piano. They had an overhead mirror at the club that was staged far right and angled downward so you could see a Birds Eye view of the drummer, just fantastic looking down on the kit and seeing the hands. He was such a brush master too.
Great! Just one month ago I recommended a Jackie McLean-LP on my channel, 'let freedom ring'...guess who's the drummer? Billy is playing so tasty...wonderfull!
I noticed the Max Roach influence in Billy's slightly deeper snare drum sound, (which I love). Playing that uptempo ride with the unbalanced handle end of the mallet...WOW!!!
Billy Higgins sounds like no one else. He could sound great with a crappy set of drums or with a beauty like in this video : Gretsch USA Custom from the 70’s, old K Zildjian and often (but not here) one of his famous Paiste Sound Creation sizzle ride.
Great videos. I had the great honor to experience Billy live in Gothenburg (Nefertiti Jazz Club) during the 1980’s. George Coleman saxophone quartet hard bop and then Cedar Walton delicate piano trio several times. The finest drumming I have experienced.
A request. Quincy Davis, have you ever covered Chick Webb in a video? If not, it would be lovely, if you did. I don't know much about him, but he's often mentioned as one of the greatest and most important jazz drummers of all time.
Amazing drumner (and true MUSICIAN)... Almost half century ago I had the pleasure to attend, in Roma, a concert of Ornette Coleman with BH on drums... Never seen (and heard) a more propulsive ride cymbal... and tasty, colourful drums.
Thank you Quincy for another amazing reaction video! Billy is legend I love his big Smile, like Philly Joe! His execution is other Worldly. Two reaction videos suggestions Are Joe Morello the great drum solo! I know You already did a Morello video, but I was hoping to get your insight on his left hand Moeller technique, his playing with his hands Where did that come from? His one hand playing. The fact that drums were not his first I instrument. 2nd Jack DeJohnette Solar with Herbie and Pat. Just beyond great! The pace is frenetic! And his ride cymbal play is among the best I ever heard! Sorry for long post. Buddy!
Billy had a great double stroke facility using his knowledge of rolls well and integrating them into his jazz swing pattern. He was all about the PHRASING and melodic playing like Max Roach. He would start a phrase and then build on it using his in depth rhythmic vocabulary. Loved his recorded sound and miss his presence in the world of legendary drummers. He tuned hi drum heads up high and tight to get a higher sounding voice but mostly so his technique could be played more easily and with a quicker rebound . I believe his playing with Trumpet player, Lee Morgan, live at Slugs in NYC was some of his best recording.
I've loved this vid since it was originally posted ...such skill, such joy! Glad you did this with commentary. This was my first time with your channel...looking forward to more.. Have you done any Papa Jo Jones vids yet? They're pretty mind blowing!
I want to thank all of you for acknowledging my great grandfather’s legacy and keeping his name alive. It’s amazing to see how much he touched the world with his God given talent . Blessings to everyone !!
Wow! That means a lot coming from a family member of his. We adore and respect him so much as he was not only an amazing drummer, but an even more amazing human being, which I’m sure has permeated throughout the entire family. Peace and blessings to the whole Higgins family ❤️
Hey Supa Q from Old Ned in Spain. Fabulous as ever and thanks for a Billy Higgins showcase. He definitely has some Max vibes but there's some Papa Jo there too in his movement , technique and that joyful expression. Not to be a smarty pants wise guy but is the song title like Elias in the Bible or like Alias Smith n Jones ??? Just beautiful, light n fluffy like a master chefs souffle
Love Billy Higgins, this was great! You should react to Elvin Jones performing Impressions with John Coltrane Quartet and Eric Dolphy. So much good Elvin footage
Mr Davis, it might be a great idea to feature what I see as being some of the less heralded players, such as Joe Chambers, Michael Carvin, Stix Hooper and Billy Hart etc?
BH was my mentor's main man as far as influence goes, but I may be the only person in jazz who is lukewarm to him. Don't know why - been trying to get hip for more then 20 years, but nothing has changed. That said, I do dig Let Freedom Ring by Jackie McLean, and Go by Dexter Gordon. I also like some of the late-era Charles Lloyd work. I guess I do dig the deeper Sonor snare drum he was using at one point (ferro-manganese??) and the Paiste cymbals. He had a much "flatter" sound here, which I'm not into. To my ears, he sounded better when using gear that had a more open sound. I think he was using some heavier ride models with lots of rivets towards the end. Maybe I just dig the sound and approach, if not what was actually being played? He reminds me of old footage of Papa Jo Jones in terms of the expressions and the tendency to to look out into space while playing.
Billy is beautiful,looks effortless,maybe not with the amount of sweat! Q could you do a reaction to Jack De J on the 1990 Mellon jazz festival album with Jack,Herbie,Dave Holland & Pat Metheny.All good tunes,I pick 9 Over Reggae. I have it on DVD.
I love Billy Higgins! His ride cymbal is so loose and swinging. I would love for you to react to Michael Carvin. Here he is with the Freddie Hubbard Quintet. The drum solo begins at the 14:28 mark. ruclips.net/video/WuPN0xP-ahU/видео.html
Hi! thanks! A reaction to Roger Humpfries could be interesting. I love his sound, dynamics, pitch, energy... ruclips.net/video/UncPS3b9FRA/видео.html Maybe there are other links where we can see him more....
As requested, here's a solo that could maybe do a reaction video to. Here's Frankie Dunlop with Monk. Excellent use of motivic development, repetition, and lyricism. Those accents too...whewww... ruclips.net/video/7lri8XouY_A/видео.html
Here are a few performances I'd love to hear your reactions to. Thanks for the videos and the wisdom! Mel Lewis ruclips.net/video/p6QxsGTh67Q/видео.html Alan Dawson ruclips.net/video/4lHlowKwMI4/видео.html Sonny Payne ruclips.net/video/MdvnsbLYPBA/видео.html
How can I call myself a drummer and not know this man? I don't know whether to quit or practice more.
Love this comment!! Pinned👊🏾
Better late than never:
take heart and explore the history of our instrument deeper.
I bet you'd heard him without realizing it. Lee Morgan's classic albums _The_ _Sidewinder_ and _Cornbread_ both feature Billy Higgins. Man kills it!
It's a Gretsch set, played by many of the jazz greats in the past. Billy used mostly Zildjian cymbals, but had a Paiste 602 22" or 24" ride that he used a lot. I think it was he who put Ed Blackwell on to them.
Gretsch drums were popular with jazz drummers because they sounded great at lower volume levels. The combination of cast hoops (reduced the overtones on the edge of the head), the shell construction (no re-rings), the silver paint on the inside of the shells (reduced internal reflections), all combined to give the drums a clean, tonally clear sound. Rim shots sounded cleaner and often louder as well, plus they were easier to tune and stayed in tune longer than many other drums.
I've always been a fan of them, along with the old Premier stuff from the '60's.
Awesome! Thanks for your insight and thanks for watching.
I heard Mr. Higgins and Don Cherry in a recording studio on Venice Blvd. around 1979. He was smiling at me through the booth even though I was just a bystander there. I will never forget being in the presence of such greatness!
Regards, Paul Yoshinaga
Amazing Paulie!!!
I haven't seen many videos of Billy playing, and had never seen this one until today. It is pure fire!
Awesome!
I've been waiting for this one. I feel like Billy could do no wrong. He always seemed to make the right choices on every tune, and his time feel is oh soooo good.
Oh, and yeah, that smile! That is a lesson in of itself. I love drummers who ooze positivity on the bandstand.
A la Gadd
Love this series! So great to see Billy Higgins getting the attention he deserves.
Right on!
A wonderful musician - always swinging, always serving the music…I had the good fortune to see him in the ‘90’s with Cedar Walton at Ronnie’s in London. Best drum lesson I ever had!😎
That’s awesome you got to see him Mikey. I’m jealous😌
Yes, that touch....tipping with intensity! His consistency of sound and musicality is off the charts!
...Had actually the great honor of seeing this gentleman play in Paris in the 80's, with Cedar Walton. Simply outstanding.
He actually started playing while the drum set was being installed...
Never heard anybody so smooth on the drum kit.
Wonderful! the lightest touch and the most beautiful soul.
Thanks for sharing this one of my most favorite drummers!
Martin Drew got me really listening to Billy this is one cool dude.. thanks Quincy🥁
Hey Quincy, thank you for the Billy Higgins Love. Oh my my!⭐️🥁⭐️🥁⭐️🥁⭐️
My pleasure. He’s the baddest!
Loved his playing; he seemed such a gentle soul too.
Absolutely Rob!
Looks like an old Gretsch USA Custom kit & some old K Ziljians. He looks like he's having fun & that's what drumming should be. Louis Bellson said the faster you play, the more relaxed you have to be. Billy is the perfect example of this concept in motion!
Old Gretsch for sure, he used mostly Paiste 602 cymbals but he wasn't strict on endorsement, so it may be other cym als as well.
@@musamusashi Thanks for the information, yes I forgot that some jazz drummers did like to use the Paiste 602 line of cymbals! Also Paiste was the first to make a flat ride cymbal, the flat ride was often used by jazz drummers for that solid stick sound with just a little wash!
gretsch round badge 60s and paiste 602s 60s
Mr. Davis, I’ve watched this Billy video so many times….but watching it this time with your guidance was really special - you hipped me (us!) to some concepts and ways of perceiving the depth of musical interplay that might not have been readily apparent otherwise. So here is a big THANKS!!
My pleasure Bill!
Fabulous... thank you for these wonderful moments and for all the contributions you share. Very grateful and delighted to be able to greet you again. My best wishes for whatever you undertake and an affectionate hug Mr. Davis...
Thank you 🥁
Thank you Joe Book👊🏾
His smile, his posture, his touch...
One of my all time favorites.
Saw him live twice: once was a reunion of the historical Ornette Coleman quartet, alongside Don Cherry and Charlie Haden in the mid 80's. He was also a devout Muslim who did great work in the LA community he was originally from.
Another great but not hugely famous master, i would love you to feature, if you haven't done it already, is Ed Blackwell who also played alongside Billy in Ornette's Free Jazz double quartet.
Good suggestion. Love Mr. Blackwell!
Hello Q!
I was saving this video for a calm moment to full enjoy it!
What an AMAZING drummer, what an amazing band and what an amazing music!
Thanks for the share and the insights!
Have a nice week!!!
Merci for watching as always. Glad you waited to view:)
I remember hearing him on Black Box of Jazz compilation, and even there he really stood out
He was a special special human being with a gift to play music everyone could feel and recognize.
Mr QT always delivering the goodies🥁🎶
I got you👊🏾
those small fast head movements he was doing in the start of the video had me thinking this man was a robot or something!! Beautiful articulation
What a beautiful man!
Just WOW
Wow what a solo! My favorite album with Billy Higgins is Wish by Joshua Redman!
Check out Now he sings now he sobs. Chick corea album👍👌💪
@@terryreknaw6152 Roy Haynes is the drummer on that one.
@@musamusashi Yeah sorry. I had a few rums last night. 🤡👍
Caught Billy Higgins first with Ornette Coleman at Newport. Always tried to play that but......Thank you for the video Q. You are a great teacher and a great drummer too.
Awesome you got to see Higgins Mike!
Love this, what a master. I saw him many times, but the one time that really stands out was at the Keystone Corner in S.F.playing with the great Dexter Gordon, with George Cables on the piano. They had an overhead mirror at the club that was staged far right and angled downward so you could see a Birds Eye view of the drummer, just fantastic looking down on the kit and seeing the hands. He was such a brush master too.
Great! Just one month ago I recommended a Jackie McLean-LP on my channel, 'let freedom ring'...guess who's the drummer? Billy is playing so tasty...wonderfull!
I noticed the Max Roach influence in Billy's slightly deeper snare drum sound, (which I love). Playing that uptempo ride with the unbalanced handle end of the mallet...WOW!!!
Spot on Mr. Carr!
Love Billy Higgins, Lee Morgan opened the door to let me in.
He played with Thelonious Monk, too--Thelonious at the Blackhawk.
Mr. Snap, Crackle, and Pop!!! In my top five favorite drummers. Thanks for this!
That phrase is usually associated with Roy Haynes but I guess you could describe Higgins’ playing like that too:) Cheers Marty!
Billy Higgins sounds like no one else. He could sound great with a crappy set of drums or with a beauty like in this video : Gretsch USA Custom from the 70’s, old K Zildjian and often (but not here) one of his famous Paiste Sound Creation sizzle ride.
I heard Billy play several times live. He made so much MUSIC on the drums. Not many guys like him. B
Agreed! He was a one of one!!
Billy Higgins was absolutely phenomenal but never seemed to get the full recognition and respect he deserved. Thanks for this!
Great videos. I had the great honor to experience Billy live in Gothenburg (Nefertiti Jazz Club) during the 1980’s. George Coleman saxophone quartet hard bop and then Cedar Walton delicate piano trio several times. The finest drumming I have experienced.
Lucky you Ray!!
I love his playing with Dexter gordan quartet🔥
A request.
Quincy Davis, have you ever covered Chick Webb in a video? If not, it would be lovely, if you did. I don't know much about him, but he's often mentioned as one of the greatest and most important jazz drummers of all time.
He reminds me of Papa Jo Jones. His posture, demeanour and that sparkle in his eyes.
I can see that!
Amazing drumner (and true MUSICIAN)... Almost half century ago I had the pleasure to attend, in Roma, a concert of Ornette Coleman with BH on drums... Never seen (and heard) a more propulsive ride cymbal... and tasty, colourful drums.
Great you got to see this master musician Stefan!
❤
A very fine player indeed!
Indeed!
Hey quincy, another tremendous video, man that billy higgins is slicker than a chickens lip!!!!!, absolutely sensational!!!.god bless...
I ❤ Billy!!! Fingers all the time on ride cymbals (medium, fast, super fast...)
Thank you Quincy for another amazing reaction video! Billy is legend I love his big
Smile, like Philly Joe! His execution is other
Worldly. Two reaction videos suggestions
Are Joe Morello the great drum solo! I know
You already did a Morello video, but I was hoping to get your insight on his left hand
Moeller technique, his playing with his hands
Where did that come from? His one hand playing. The fact that drums were not his first
I instrument.
2nd Jack DeJohnette Solar with Herbie and
Pat. Just beyond great! The pace is frenetic!
And his ride cymbal play is among the best
I ever heard! Sorry for long post. Buddy!
Thanks for the great suggestions Mikey!
@@drumqtips you are the greatest!
He’s using gretsch round badges! Looks like 12 14 18 (or a 20 bass??) with matching snare. Love the red sparkle!
Billy had a great double stroke facility using his knowledge of rolls well and integrating them into his jazz swing pattern. He was all about the PHRASING and melodic playing like Max Roach. He would start a phrase and then build on it using his in depth rhythmic vocabulary. Loved his recorded sound and miss his presence in the world of legendary drummers. He tuned hi drum heads up high and tight to get a higher sounding voice but mostly so his technique could be played more easily and with a quicker rebound . I believe his playing with Trumpet player, Lee Morgan, live at Slugs in NYC was some of his best recording.
Spot on with everything Scottie!
Killer vid Q 🙌
Thanks Mike!
I've loved this vid since it was originally posted ...such skill, such joy! Glad you did this with commentary. This was my first time with your channel...looking forward to more.. Have you done any Papa Jo Jones vids yet? They're pretty mind blowing!
Welcome aboard Karp! Yup I did a Jo Jones reaction. See you on the next one:)
Smilin' Billy
I always liked his playing, a lot! I see influences from Papa Jo Jones, but he had his own unique style.
Definitely papa Jo influence:)
I want to thank all of you for acknowledging my great grandfather’s legacy and keeping his name alive. It’s amazing to see how much he touched the world with his God given talent . Blessings to everyone !!
Wow! That means a lot coming from a family member of his. We adore and respect him so much as he was not only an amazing drummer, but an even more amazing human being, which I’m sure has permeated throughout the entire family. Peace and blessings to the whole Higgins family ❤️
Rufus Reid always said -
"If you ain't sweatin'-
you ain't swingin"
Smilin' Billy Higgins- !!!!!!!!
Love this Stevie!
I want to hear you dig on Vernell Fornier, Ahmad Jamal Trio. Specifically his brush technique. unorthadox, and sounds like a tap dancer :)
Absolutely Jose! Love Vernell.
Hey Supa Q from Old Ned in Spain. Fabulous as ever and thanks for a Billy Higgins showcase. He definitely has some Max vibes but there's some Papa Jo there too in his movement , technique and that joyful expression. Not to be a smarty pants wise guy but is the song title like Elias in the Bible or like Alias Smith n Jones ??? Just beautiful, light n fluffy like a master chefs souffle
Good question Mr. Spain Ned!
Looks like a gretsch kits? Love billy higgins! So funky and free!
Love Billy Higgins, this was great!
You should react to Elvin Jones performing Impressions with John Coltrane Quartet and Eric Dolphy. So much good Elvin footage
Thanks for the recommendations!
Mr Davis, it might be a great idea to feature what I see as being some of the less heralded players, such as Joe Chambers, Michael Carvin, Stix Hooper and Billy Hart etc?
Higgins' posture. Most drummers slouch a bit but he is as upright as a man in a brace.
Absolutely!
oh and man! slow drag! by Donald Byrd...Billys drumming on that! what a drummer !
This is so good thanks!
My request are Marcus Gilmore solo on fingerprints with Chick Corea trio and Eric Harland performs at Berklee please.
最高👍👍👍cool👍👍👍クインシーの次に好きなドラマーだ！
ありがとう🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
BH was my mentor's main man as far as influence goes, but I may be the only person in jazz who is lukewarm to him. Don't know why - been trying to get hip for more then 20 years, but nothing has changed. That said, I do dig Let Freedom Ring by Jackie McLean, and Go by Dexter Gordon. I also like some of the late-era Charles Lloyd work. I guess I do dig the deeper Sonor snare drum he was using at one point (ferro-manganese??) and the Paiste cymbals. He had a much "flatter" sound here, which I'm not into. To my ears, he sounded better when using gear that had a more open sound. I think he was using some heavier ride models with lots of rivets towards the end. Maybe I just dig the sound and approach, if not what was actually being played? He reminds me of old footage of Papa Jo Jones in terms of the expressions and the tendency to to look out into space while playing.
I can hear some art Taylor coming out in billys solos as well.
❤
Looks and sounds like Vintage Gretsch probably stop sign badges.
10:49 aren't those Marimba Mallets?
Billy is beautiful,looks effortless,maybe not with the amount of sweat!
Q could you do a reaction to Jack De J on the 1990 Mellon jazz festival album with Jack,Herbie,Dave Holland & Pat Metheny.All good tunes,I pick 9 Over Reggae.
I have it on DVD.
You’re the 3rd person who requested Jack in this thread. I guess I’m doing a Jack vid next week:)
I love Billy Higgins! His ride cymbal is so loose and swinging. I would love for you to react to Michael Carvin. Here he is with the Freddie Hubbard Quintet. The drum solo begins at the 14:28 mark.
ruclips.net/video/WuPN0xP-ahU/видео.html
Intrepid Fox! I’ll add it to the list. So great!!
Hi! thanks! A reaction to Roger Humpfries could be interesting. I love his sound, dynamics, pitch, energy...
ruclips.net/video/UncPS3b9FRA/видео.html
Maybe there are other links where we can see him more....
oops... Humphries
ruclips.net/video/SJYZIFolD3U/видео.html
Horace Silver is doing this strange sound with his foot by the end lol
I love Roger’s playing. He is a true, impeccable jazz drummer - The real deal and, last I knew, still active in his hometown Pittsburgh.
Well now we need Ed Blackwell!
Absolutely!
Perceptive of you to point out the band didn’t come in when he wanted them to. I’ve watched this video probably 50 times.
I picked it up because I've been there before. lol! But he played it off like a true pro.
Calfskin heads on Gretsch.
Looks like a Gretsch kit
Maybe a Jack DeJohnette reaction in future?
Certainly!
As requested, here's a solo that could maybe do a reaction video to. Here's Frankie Dunlop with Monk. Excellent use of motivic development, repetition, and lyricism. Those accents too...whewww...
ruclips.net/video/7lri8XouY_A/видео.html
His solo on Blue Monk is also naaaaasty!
Awesome! Added to the list.
Very good playing , but you know what,? You play just as good as any of the players out there. How about doing one on jack Dejohnette sometime.
Oh, you’re too kind sir🙏🏾. Jack DeJohnette is definitely coming down the pike for sure!
Here are a few performances I'd love to hear your reactions to. Thanks for the videos and the wisdom!
Mel Lewis ruclips.net/video/p6QxsGTh67Q/видео.html
Alan Dawson ruclips.net/video/4lHlowKwMI4/видео.html
Sonny Payne ruclips.net/video/MdvnsbLYPBA/видео.html
Yeah Billy was incredible. Check out his playing on Chick Coreas first album Now he sings now he sobs. Beautiful 👌👌👍👍💪💪
That was Roy Haynes, not Billy Higgins. Also, unless I'm mistaken, that wasn't Chick's first album
@@cfoldesh Oh blimey. Yes. Sorry I had a few rums last night. I thought it was chick's first solo album. 😂👍
He does have a lot of max roach.. No offense to max, but billy got a tighter pocket