Joe Higgs School of Music

        The immortal Joe Higgs in performance at the Music Machine in Los Angeles, Circa: 1988.

 

Mike and Joe Jam in Mike's studio in L.A.

Dear Kali!

      I hope you remember me. We met on Captain 'Nkhosa's DC 10 jet on a flight to Lusaka, Zambia. You were on your way to a festival in Zimbabwe, I was on my way to a tour of South Africa. Our plane ... broke, and we were stuck in Gambia for a couple of wonderful days. I remember your soprano saxophone cutting trough the sound of the rain in the hay-roofed airport building like it was yesterday.

      You then looked me up (I believe it was around Christmas 1991 or 1992) in North Hollywood, and brought over a few friends (among which was Joe Higgs, the Great). I cherish the pictures we took on that day. We then recorded "Freedom," and I received the video you put together for that song. Thank you.

      Unfortunately, we then lost touch.

      I commend and congratulate you on the work you do for Haile High. This is how I found you now - a search on the internet returned its address. I have now returned to music and am writing a new album and putting together a band. The album will contain a tribute song to Joe Higgs. His rendition of No Woman No Cry in my little (cloudy :) room was the high point of my musical past. I hope you are well my friend, and even more hope to see you sometime - Jah works in misterious ways - you never know when our physical paths will cross again. Needless to say, you have an open invitation to Virginia, any time you desire.

Health to you my friend,

Michael Bilca

 

        Tony with Wash and his son Ryan, join the fun during a music lesson. The Joe Higgs School of Music is not your average music school. Everyone here is a star.


        Coco T., teacher of Mento Culture at Haile High and one of the great exponents of the Jamaican Boom Box - a teacher at the Joe Higgs School of Music.
        Calvin Wright playing Mento at the Groovy Grouper Beach Bar. The players stop by Haile High when they can, to teach their musical culture to our young students.



The "Haile High Mento Meltdown" takes a break. Lft. to Rt.: Coco T. ("Slow Drag"), Calvin, Kaliflowa and Tony.

 

Eternal respect for Brother Joe!

One of the original "Wailers", Joe was instrumental in teaching the group the foundations of music.
Joe Higgs
Joe performing at a fundraiser for
the A.N.C. Santa Monica, January 1987
Few men knew it better. "The Legend" as he is called, is shown below in this rare photo on the night Joe first came together with Lucky Dube who was beginning his first world tour. It was at "The Channel" dance hall, in Boston. Lucky was the headliner, scheduled to appear last on the venue with Joe opening for him. Prior to the show, Lucky had been reasoning with Kaliflowa when the subject of Joe arose. Lucky asked Kali to introduce him to Joe, as they had never met. Shortly after the above photo was taken, Lucky announced, much to the chagrin of the sponsoring record company, that "Joe would always be the headliner" and that he, Lucky, would "open" for Joe. That threw the vibes into overdrive. Lucky knew the order of things better than his record company did. Never was there a show like the one that night. Nuf respect to Brother Lucky!

Joe Higgs is one of the most respected musicians in reggae history. His mark will forever be indelible!

Joe Higgs with Lucky Dube and Kaliflowa  
Joe Higgs with Lucky Dube and Kaliflowa Boston, June 20, 1991		   Bob and Joe
Bob and Joe
Los Angeles, 1973

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