His‘N’Hers: His’N’Hers (UBU0066)

Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of Judith and Dave O’Higgins, for an album release that features the His‘n’Hers frontline tenor saxes doing battle in straight-ahead, full-on jazz.

His’n’Hers affectionately pits Mr and 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 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 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 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 three new originals and play three “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.

The eponymous His’n’Hers recording has been prepared specifically for vinyl. The appeal of this medium was to present something considered and well programmed in an elegantly digestible format. Pour yourself a glass of wine and listen to side one, whilst perusing the large-scale cover art and familiarising yourself with the tune titles and personnel. Then, 18 minutes later it will be time for a refill, and you’ll be lured into hearing what Side B brings. An LP requires careful programming on the part of the artist, in the same way as a good set at a gig. The track order is crucial and, due to the nature of the medium, often listened to in the intended order. The CD format can be the musical equivalent of the “all you can eat” buffet--too much for one sitting! In addition, the tactile, analog nature of the 12” disc encourages focused engagement, not ripping onto a digital device for shuffled play in the background.

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 the new relationship with Ubuntu Music, Judith commented, saying, “I have known Martin for several years and found we have some of our favourite players in common. I have been especially impressed by how much he cares about his artists, so I'm absolutely thrilled to join the Ubuntu family. Am I the first forensic pathologist ever to have a record deal?”

Dave continues… “It was a pleasure to work with Martin Hummel for the O'Higgins & Luft release last year and I'm very excited to bring a new project to the ever-expanding roster. I particularly enjoy Martin's readiness to listen to something new and how genuinely excited he gets when he likes it!”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music concludes: “This is a unique and exciting project, filled with excellent, straight-ahead jazz in the dynamic two-tenor format. I have a lot of time for Dave and Judith, as musicians and as friends. The O’Higgins relentlessly challenge each other to deliver a most enjoyable result. You cannot help but fall in love with His’n’Hers, which is certain to make your day!”