Dan Higgins has established himself over the past 35 years as the First Call woodwind musician in the L.A. studios for any musical situation. Enjoy this candid interview with one of the great woodwind multi-instrumentalists of all time.
I'm the tenor player Dan was talking about at 29:00. It was a clinic he did during The Henry Mancini Institute. I had just moved back to town and was slightly embarrassed that I didn't double, but I was surprised and honored that he respected me for my choice.
Dan is the BEST! The most memorable time I had in music was to sit next to him in Bill Watrous’ band, playing 2nd Alto to his lead. “Play in the middle and lean” - that’s the best advice for any profession. Thanks Dan.
When I would get a big band calfor a show or concert in Hawaii I would always ask to play 2nd alto so I could sit next to Gabe Balthazar and get a free lesson..
Thanks so much for going out there and doing the interview. I have a short story I love to share. I was in LA once for a grad school audition. I met Sal Lozano and he encouraged me to come at this date. I arrived and Sal calls me "you should get to this studio if you can." And it's Sal, Dan, and Chris Bleth recording something for Disney. So I got to sit in the middle and observe! Later that evening I had dinner with Sal and Dan and then watched them with Wayne's Big band. I met Cip that night too. The audition didn't go as I hoped, but I'd say the day before was one of the best in my life.
Wonderful discussion of the music business and woodwind doubling Dan. You are the best! Good times playing with you at NTSU back in 1976 and rooming together on the U.S.S.R. Tour. Roger
So great to have these two guys together. Dan who is so great and Ed who is great and appreciates what Dan can do...which is limitless. Ever hear Paul Desmond interview Bird?
Chris, Yes, I have heard that and was always impressed by Bird's intellect and desire to improve and learn more. Desmond is self-effacing in that interview and an under-appreciated melodic giant on alto. Thanks for watching and your kind comments. Ed
Birds great comment, "modesty will get you no where" Very funny guy he must have been. Paul was a master at improv developing an idea.Very underappreciated but we know whats what.Love your stuff Ed keep it up.
I too was at NT same time as Dan. A legend even then. Years after he moved to LA we were talking on the phone and he said “Hey there’s a rainbow outside that ends in my yard. Maybe I’d better play the lottery today!” Funny cat and such a wonderful player. Great career in the studios and all that well deserved pension now.
Dan’s work on “Catch Me If You Can” blows me away. Such a perfect alto sound. I’m also fond of his Christmas cards: they recorded a few songs with Dan playing a Buescher C-melody sax and his brother playing guitar. Possible the sweetest sounding C-mel since Rudy Widoeft.
I heard a ridiculous story about Dan from Wayne Bergeron. He said they were doing a session with an orchestra and Dan comes in before everyone else. Everyone in the session loses their mind as it is RARE for him to make a mistake during a session. They review the score, and it turns out he was right and everyone else was wrong 😅
Went all thru NT with Dan and contrary to this interview dan was always more advanced and focused and scary than he lets on. His first teacher Terry Steele said the regular sax method books were to easy for Dan and he had to find him some more challenging stuff. Dan was transcribing Giant Steps by ear when he was 18. He has always been super competitive. I rem Dan could talk to you for 5 minutes and the next time you played you would fu** up. Very savey dude. Like Schwatznegger in competition. A fierce competitor. But a great guy.Just dont go up against him!!! It would be Suicide.
Dan, was my roomate in Denton for about a semester and a half. 8 hours a day practice was normal. I bought the first Dave Sanborn album "Taking Off" and left it on the table and went to a gig in Dallas. Upon my return Dan had left a note with $5.00 on the table. "I ruined your record, so here's money for another. I transcribed all of the tunes and I'm going to write ten tunes like this and I want to do a concert. Get the rhythm section together for a rehearsal a week from Saturday." Hardest working guy I've evern known.
Studio musicians…I’m one of them…whole life playing behind somebody,for somebody,the way somebody wants me to play. Don’t recommend it to young musicians.
