His’n’Hers: Omicron (UBU0114)

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the second release from Judith and Dave O’Higgins with a digital EP that features the ‘His’n’Hers frontline tenor saxes doing battle in straight-ahead, full-on jazz. Omicron consists of three ‘bonus’ tracks which follow their highly successful debut album from 2020.

His’n’Hers affectionately pits Mr & Mrs O’Higgins against each other as in the movie, Mr & Mrs Smith. In reality, this is a swinging “tough tenors” band in the good humoured tradition of the great Johnny Griffin - Eddie Lockjaw Davis group, who made nine albums together between 1960 and 1962. But what Griffin and Davis did together was not a competition, however apparently combative. It was collaboration, mutual inspiration and special because of both the similarity and contrast of the two protagonists.

Judith and Dave describe the project: “The debut album was created days before the first lockdown, and the EP is a bookend, hence the aptness of ‘Omicron’. We were always working on expanding our repertoire and wrote the song ‘Calypso Collapso’ in this period. ‘Mister Magic’ was a playful suggestion that just seemed to work out. We can’t wait to get out on the road with this stuff!”

The recording was made with a “new meets old” aesthetic: inspired by the 50s and 60s Rudy Van Gelder recordings in terms of transparency and natural fidelity, but also with a nod to contemporary sonic developments. The O’Higgins have been on a mission for over 10 years to create a jazz friendly, ribbon mics, spill-and-all recording environment and JVG Studio gets better all the time.

Concerning their ongoing relationship with Ubuntu Music, the couple commented, saying, “It’s great to know Martin Hummel is always on your team, and it’s exciting to be a part of this continued relationship with the ever growing and eclectic label that is Ubuntu.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music concludes: “We’re thrilled to continue our relationship with Judith and Dave. Their eponymous debut album was a runaway success and ‘Omicron’ is the logical extension to this. It’s a joy to have His’n’Hers as a part of the Ubuntu Family.”

BIOGRAPHIES

Judith O’Higgins was born in Hilden, Germany. She studied medicine and music education in Münster, finished university in Hamburg and became a forensic pathologist. She now lives in London with Dave. Her German autobiography/popular science book, “Spuren des Todes”, was published by Fischer Verlag in 2013. 

Although Judith became a forensic pathologist, she continued playing the saxophone to a high standard and her CV includes Matthew Herbert Big Band, Two Minds Big Band, and Barnes/O’Higgins and the Sax Section. Judith also produced and played on the critically acclaimed Abstract Truth Big Band recording which was made under the direction of Jörg Achim Keller at the famous Abbey Road Studio in 2015.

Five years after this hugely ambitious project and with COVID-19 lockdown looming, a recording session was organised for their debut album, just in time before the scene froze.

Judith has a strong tenor sound that evokes the spirit of Dexter Gordon and Clifford Jordan and steps up this time as a featured soloist and composer in this group. She and Dave have written two new originals and play one “greatest hits” from their two-tenor book, honed over a few years of gigs with different rhythm sections. They are joined by the super swinging dream team trio of Graham Harvey (piano), Jeremy Brown (bass) and Josh Morrison (drums).

Dave O’Higgins now has 22 albums as leader to his credit. His sax sounds are highly 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 also a highly regarded educator at the London College of Contemporary Media, where he is the Jazz Pathway Leader.

Dave has worked with some of the world’s finest musicians, including Joey Calderazzo, Joe Locke, Dave Kikoski, 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. Dave is currently playing with His’n’Hers, O’Higgins & Luft, Harvey / O’Higgins Project, Darius Brubeck Quartet, Brubecks Play Brubeck, Matt Bianco and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra.