Ornette Coleman: Forerunner

The drumming style of Billy Higgins might best be described as the modern syncopated bebop style of Max Roach and Roy Haynes infused with a rhythm and blues sensibility. Having performed with Bo Diddley early in his career, Higgins may occasionally stray from common bop techniques and create more of an R&B-infused groove in his bop playing, but he is first and foremost a bebop-trained drumming pioneer. This is evident in his extended collaborations with Dexter Gordon, Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan, and Ornette Coleman. This Higgins-feature track has it all smart, perfectly executed solo ideas and a deep, strong, swinging groove.