I first encountered Billy Higgins on the classic Ornette Coleman recordings of the 1959-60 period. Yet he is not, essentially, an avant-garde drummer. He is simply so versatile that he can fit into any setting. The consummate accompanist, it is estimated that he has appeared on over 800 separate albums.

He is clearly influenced by Max Roach, and belongs to that elegant but exuberant swinging tradition of Max and Papa Jo. I saw him perform a few years before his recent death. He played an amazing solo with brushes. He is known for maintaining a constant smile as he plays.