Rusty Higgins

Who is Rusty Higgins?

Rusty Higgins is an American saxophonist, arranger, composer, & session musician. Based out of Los Angeles, Higgins has been working in the music industry for over 40 years and has performed with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Aretha Franklin, Ralph Carmichael, Bob Florence, Les Brown, Toni Tennille, and countless others.

David "Rusty" Higgins is an Akron, Ohio native who attended Kent State University for four years as a bassoon major. He then traveled with different bands for five years before moving to Los Angeles, where he has served as a woodwind doubler for 34 years. His primary experience includes extensive recording studio, theater, and jazz concert work. In addition to teaching at APU, he has taught master classes, clinics, and jazz workshops at high schools in California and Ohio, as well as Kent State University and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

Higgins was previously a featured sax soloist with Les Brown’s Band of Renown. He joined Captain & Tennille in 1979 and served as Toni Tennille’s symphony orchestra conductor beginning in 1984, conducting more than 70 orchestras. He played for both of Ronald Regan’s presidential inaugural balls.