Monk Higgins

Milton Bland (October 17, 1936 - July 3, 1986) better known as Monk Higgins, was an American musician and saxophonist who was born in Menifee, Arkansas.^[1]

Higgins biggest hits were the instrumental tracks "Who Dun It" (which reached #30 on the US R&B chart in 1966), and "Gotta Be Funky" (#22 on the US R&B chart). His instrumental "Ceatrix Did It" (1967) was the sign-off song for soul DJ "Dr. Rock" on WMPP, East Chicago Heights, Illinois. Higgins worked with a variety of musicians including Gene Harris, Bobby Bland, The Chi-Lites, Junior Wells, Freddy Robinson, Muddy Waters, Cash McCall, Etta James, Blue Mitchell and The Three Sounds.^[1] His track "One Man Band (Plays All Alone)" was featured on the breakbeat compilation album, Ultimate Breaks and Beats.

Late in his career Monk, together with his band "the Specialties", was the featured performer at television actress Marla Gibbs' Los Angeles, California supper club, known as Marla's Memory Lane Club.

Higgins died from respiratory disease in July 1986, in Los Angeles, at the age of 49.^[1]

Discography

As leader

• Extra Soul Perception (Solid State) (1969)
• Heavyweight (United Artists) (1972)
• Little Mama (United Artists) (1972)
• Dance to the Disco Sax (Buddha) (1974)
• Live in MacArthur Park (Buddha) (1975)^[2]

As sideman

With Blue Mitchell

• Collision in Black (1968)
• Bantu Village (1969)

With The Three Sounds

• Elegant Soul (1968)
• Soul Symphony (1969)

With Gene Harris

• The 3 Sounds (1971)

References