Introduction
American jazz musician Rusty Higgins is an American music master, saxophonist, arranger, composer, and session .American jazz musician Rusty Higgins is an American music master, saxophonist, arranger, composer, and session .
As a member of the Bob Florence Limited Edition, Higgins won the Grammy Award in 2000 for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album for Serendipity .As a member of the Bob Florence Limited Edition, Higgins won the Grammy Award in 2000 for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album for Serendipity .
Based in Los Angeles, Higgins has performed with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Aretha Franklin, Ralph Carmichael, Les Brown, and Toni .Based in Los Angeles, Higgins has performed with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Aretha Franklin, Ralph Carmichael, Les Brown, and Toni .
Early life
Higgins was born in Akron, Ohio, and attended Cuyahoga Falls High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and graduated in .Higgins was born in Akron, Ohio, and attended Cuyahoga Falls High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and graduated in .
He went to Kent State University to pursue a major in Bassoon .He went to Kent State University to pursue a major in Bassoon .
He then traveled with many different bands for five years before moving to Los Angeles, where he has served as a woodwind doubler (saxophone, clarinet, flute) for 39 .He then traveled with many different bands for five years before moving to Los Angeles, where he has served as a woodwind doubler (saxophone, clarinet, flute) for 39 .
His primary experiences include extensive recording studio, theater, and jazz concert .His primary experiences include extensive recording studio, theater, and jazz concert .
He has conducted master classes, clinics, and jazz workshops at high schools throughout California and Ohio, Kent State University, and the Shanghai Conservatory of .He has conducted master classes, clinics, and jazz workshops at high schools throughout California and Ohio, Kent State University, and the Shanghai Conservatory of .
Career
Higgins was a featured sax soloist with Les Brown's Band of .Higgins was a featured sax soloist with Les Brown's Band of .
He joined Captain & Tennille in 1979 and served as Toni Tennille's symphony orchestra conductor beginning in 1984, conducting more than 70 .He joined Captain & Tennille in 1979 and served as Toni Tennille's symphony orchestra conductor beginning in 1984, conducting more than 70 .
He played for both of President Reagan's presidential inaugural .He played for both of President Reagan's presidential inaugural .
He has also worked with Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, Louis Bellson, Clark Terry, Ray Anthony, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Bill Holman, Tom Kubis, Wayne Bergeron, Nelson Riddle, Jack Sheldon, Ray Charles, Buddy Miles, and the L. A. Rams .He has also worked with Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, Louis Bellson, Clark Terry, Ray Anthony, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Bill Holman, Tom Kubis, Wayne Bergeron, Nelson Riddle, Jack Sheldon, Ray Charles, Buddy Miles, and the L. A. Rams .
Higgins has recorded or performed with Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Mel Tormé, Natalie Cole, Rosemary Clooney, Sting, Kenny G, Arturo Sandoval, Michael Buble, Michael Feinstein, the Temptations, Diana Ross, Manhattan Transfer, Stevie Wonder, Johnny Cash, and Avenged .Higgins has recorded or performed with Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Mel Tormé, Natalie Cole, Rosemary Clooney, Sting, Kenny G, Arturo Sandoval, Michael Buble, Michael Feinstein, the Temptations, Diana Ross, Manhattan Transfer, Stevie Wonder, Johnny Cash, and Avenged .
Higgins has been teaching saxophone at Azusa Pacific University since .Higgins has been teaching saxophone at Azusa Pacific University since .
He directs the Azusa Pacific Jazz Ensemble .He directs the Azusa Pacific Jazz Ensemble .
2 and teaches a course in woodwind .2 and teaches a course in woodwind .
He owns and manages his own store, Long Beach .He owns and manages his own store, Long Beach .