I just got a terrible call...my amaising friend...the best drummer I ever knew...Norman Higgins, just died an hour ago. He had congestive heart falure and diabetes, but was still, after 50 years,the "first call" drummer in this part of the country.

I met Norman in 1960, when I was a sophemore in high school. We worked at a popular college club in the early 60's and on and off for the next 45 plus years.

I had just called him two days ago, telling him about the job I want to play with Dave Boyd next summer. As always, he was "in".

It was pretty rough for a black musician around here nearly 50 years ago, but we were like the two muskateers...we stuck together and worked together or we didn't work.

In spite of this, he never said an unkind word, except when he lost patience with a player who just wouldn't give his/her all.

He raised a family, and each of his kids excelled at whatever they attempted...music, racing...whatever. His father and brothers were all supurb musicians also; in particular, his younger brother Benny is "the bomb" on sax and flute.

His was a friendship and a lifetime of collaboration to be treasured. He made a difference to everyone he played with and for, and to everyone he ever met.

Life is so fragile. Let's all PLEASE appreciate each other.


Dave, you would have been crazy about this guy.

Russ