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Sonny Boy, George’s latest CD on Builtrite Records is a canny collection of ten original songs written and arranged by George, excepting the title tune, which George scats up in a headlong, but heartfelt bop treatment. George wanted to highlight Al Jolson’s benchmark standard to pay tribute to the Tin Pan Alley tradition of “genre songwriting”. It’s George’s belief that another era has come around when standards and ballads are once again needed as a bridge that can bring diverse audiences and musical forms together. Sonny Boy is a mix of jazz/blues/roots rock. But it’s truly all about the songs. Sonny Boy was recorded in classic combo style, inspired by the likes of Nina Simone, Chet Baker, Mose Alison and Tim Hardin.
Sonny Boy features George Higton on vocals, piano, organ, guitar, keys, harmonica; Louis Simao on bass and Adam Hay on drums throughout; and guest soloists Nick "Brownman" Ali trumpet, Chip Yarwood on flute, concertina, Rod Booth on violin, and the album’s producer, Glen Salley, on sax.
My Life with Einstein, released by legendary Celluloid Records, was the album that first brought attention to the music of George Higton. He was the first and only Canadian artist ever signed by the acclaimed international label, which also released albums at the same time by other such compelling artists as Afrika Bambaataa, Soft Cell, Bill Laswell and Herbie Hancock. My Life with Einstein was a bold, critically cited blend of avant-garde jazz, rock, and proto hip-hop. Recorded live off the floor at the Big Door Studios in Toronto, it was an inspired session recorded on an old two-track system. The Globe and Mail newspaper considered the album to be “in the Velvet Underground art rock tradition, containing vivid moments of poetic illumination.”
My Life with Einstein was co-produced by George Higton and Walter (Chip) Yarwood. Featuring George Higton on vocals, guitar, piano, and found sound; Ihor Holubizky on bass and sax; Jeff Johnson on drums and percussion; and Chip Yarwood on piano, synthesizer, sax and drums.
The original vinyl can still be found available on websites such as – www.cybercd.fr amoung others.
George Higton has collaborated with several artists over the years including bands such as The Existers, Palace at 4 a.m., and 48 Zone One.