Dave O'Higgins and Rob Luft

Dave O’Higgins - tenor sax

Rob Luft - guitar

Jim Watson - organ

Billy Pod - drums 

Now recording their 3rd album together, they have been touring with extensively since 2019. The line-up at Northants tonight is the classic organ combo, drawing on influxes from George Benson, Joe Henderson, Grant Green, Michael Brecker and many more as a springboard for Luft’s lush soundscapes & O’Higgins’ impassioned tenor. Joining them on organ is the virtuosic Jim Watson, and the magically swinging drummer form Greece, Billy Pod.

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Dave O’Higginsnow has 26 albums as leader to his credit. His sax sound is very personal and recognisable, with a clear sense of melodic development and adventure. A popular performer with the public, with an excellent sense of pacing and presentation, he has a wide palette from Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane and Joe Henderson through to Stanley Turrentine and Michael Brecker. He has relentlessly pursued artistic exploration and development with a deep respect for the tradition of the music.

Dave is a highly regarded educator at the London College of Contemporary Music, where he is the Jazz Pathway Leader.

Dave has worked with some of the world’s finest musicians, including Joey Calderazzo, Joe Locke, Dave Kikowski, Eric Alexander, Grant Stewart, Max Ionata, Phil Dwyer, Adam Nussbaum, Joe Lovano, Phil Woods, Jimmy Smith, Nancy Wilson, Peggy Lee, Kurt Elling, Wayne Shorter, Eddie Gomez, Billy Childs, Abdullah Ibrahim, Chico Chagas and Stephane Grappelli. He also wrote and produced the last Matt Bianco album, “Gravity”. While his jazz career was in its early stages, Dave cut his teeth as a sideman with Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra.

Other regular bands over the years include:

Darius Brubeck Quartet

Brubecks Play Brubeck

John Dankworth and Cleo Laine

Jim Mullen

Martin Taylor’s Spirit of Django

Jamie Cullum

Kyle Eastwood

BBC Big Band

Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra