A native New Englander, Higgins settled in Chicago while attending Northwestern University’s School of Music. Playing mostly trio in formats for 20 years, he was on stage at many of the Windy City’s best known clubs, including the Brass Rail, Preview Lounge, Blue Note, Cloister Inn and Jazz Ltd. He had a long stint at the famed London House where he often played opposite Oscar Peterson and George Shearing in the 50s and 60s. In Chicago, he made a number of recordings as leader as well as with such luminaries as Coleman Hawkins, Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, Jack Teagarden, and Al Grey. Additionally he has as backed many vocalists and worked as studio pianist and arranger, and has played everything from Dixieland to modern jazz.  

Now dividing his time between Ft. Lauderdale and Cape Cod in “semi-retirement,” he often works with his wife, singer/pianist Meredith d'Ambrusio, and has released a number of recordings for the Japanese label “Venus,” hitting the number 1 sales spot several times. In recent years, Higgins has recorded even more prolifically, finally gaining recognition for his “master's touch....[and] dazzling dynamic range” (Sam Lesner, Chicago Daily). A frequent performer at festivals around the world, Eddie Higgins has been the only featured performer invited back 18 times on the SS Norway’s Annual Jazz Cruise each year since it started. Noted the Raleigh News and Observer, “Like Hank Jones and the late Nat King Cole, he’s an orderly player whether romping with the blues or delineating a tender waltz.”

Backing Eddie Higgins, guitarist Reuben Ristrom has been a popular fixture on the Twin Cities’ jazz scene for over 40 years. A U of M graduate, Ristrom is well known for his studio work and stage, club, concert, and festival appearances throughout the continental US and Hawaii. Often in the company of top local and national artists, his eclectic chops include Dixieland, mainstream jazz, swing, standards, Latin, and even some vintage rock 'n' roll. In addition to his ensemble work, Ristrom can be heard on solo guitar or banjo gigs.  

Rounding out the trio will be one of the busiest of young local lions, bassist Graydon Peterson. A former student of Laura Caviani (among others) at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Peterson was a member of the Down Beat award-winning UWEC Jazz Ensemble I and performed with such guest jazz artists as Lewis Nash, Ingrid Jensen, Jason Marsalis, Chris Botti, and Christian McBride. Now a first-call performer in the Twin Cities, Graydon appears on Twin Cities jazz stages with a long list of musicians and ensembles, often in support of area vocalists, and leads his own band, Fonster. 

Cross-generational bands bring a unique energy to the stage, and when the leader is Eddie Higgins, you can be sure things will swing! 

Hear the Eddie Higgins Trio on Saturday, November 1st, at 8 pm; cover $15. The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis; www.dakotacooks.com.