Haydn "Eddie" Higgins, well-known Chicago jazz pianist, passed away on August 31, 2009, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on February 21, 1932, he initially studied privately with his mother and then Higgins started his professional career in Chicago, while studying at the Northwestern University Music School. For twenty years Eddie worked at some of Chicago's best known jazz clubs, including the Brass Rail, Preview Lounge, Blue Note, Cloister Inn and Jazz Ltd. His longest and most memorable job was at the London House, where he led the house trio for twelve years, playing opposite the biggest jazz stars of the 50's and 60's, including Stan Getz, Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Errol Garner, George Shearing, Cannonball Adderley, Bill Evans and many others. In 1966 he was a founder of Dunwich Records and he also had success with Japan's Venus Records label. He was most known as a soloist. However he played with Coleman Hawkins, Freddie Hubbard, and others. He married pianist and singer Meredith D'Ambrosio (professional website). A very comprehensive biography on Eddie Higgins by Bill Gallagher, can be found by clicking here, including jazz artists he worked and a complete discography. A Chicago Tribune article by Howard Reich (published September 2, 2009) on Eddie Higgins can be found by clicking on this link. (photo of Meredith D'Ambrosio and her husband Haydn "Eddie" Higgins circa 2001 by Sara Frooman).
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