Record Company Executive Producer, Arranger, Recording Artist,
Composer, Conductor/Bandleader and Saxophonist Extraordinaire

       The inimitable Milton Bland, also known as Monk Higgins, was born to Mrs. Alma Howell and J.T. Bland, both deceased, in Menifee, Arkansas.  His roots were in gospel music, due to his mother's faithfulness as a choir singer.  Monk, at six feet, three inches and 285 pounds, was a football and basketball star at Conway County Training School, in Conway, Arkansas.  In his spare time, he played the bass tuba in the marching band, primarily because he was the only kid large enough to carry the instrument.

      Monk attended Arkansas State, obtaining his Bachelor of Arts degree in music, and advanced music studies, at the Chicago School of Music.  After completing formal training, Monk wanted to share his knowledge and love of music with others.  Central High School in Hayti, Missouri had an opening in the music department.  Monk accepted the opening with great joy.  Teaching for the next nine years at various schools was a dream fulfilled, along with directing the marching band.

      In early 1962, Monk decided that if he was to get total fulfillment, he had to expand his horizons and let the world hear and learn what his music was about.  This desire has produced many great recorded works, among them, "Mr. Lucky," "Who Dun It," "Black Fox," "Yesterday," "Gotta Be Funky" and countless more.  After becoming an extraordinary recording and performing artist, the time came to share his formal training as a composer, producer, arranger and conductor with other legendary names such as Tyrone Davis, Gene Harris, Nina Simone, Blue Mitchell, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Betty Everett, Bobby "Blue" Bland and many others.  Monk's works have also been recorded by the likes of such artists as Blood, Sweat and Tears, Gloria Lynn and Stanley Turrentine.  His dream of total fulfillment through broadening his expansive musical horizons inspired Mr. Higgins to move from Chicago to Los Angeles, where he launched out into Radio and Television commercials.  He won both the prestigious American Advertising Federation as well as the Hollywood Radio and Television Society International Broadcasting Awards for the "World's Best Broadcast Advertisement."  Mr. Higgins' recording of the musical score for the American International Pictures release, "Sheba Baby" starring Pam Grier, is one of many highlights of his illustrious career.  This led to his community outreach of mentoring and encouraging many new artists, making his impact even beyond his brief life's span.  Rap and hip hop groups have found his music incomparable. Groups such as GangStarr have been recording their tributes to Monk's fame.  Among his many credits, Mr. Higgins' served as executive producer for United Artist Records, in addition to being a recording artist, conductor, arranger and composer there, as well as Chess Records, One-derful Records and as producer/arranger at Wally roker and Associates.  His extensive discography is frequently referenced.  Thus, his legacy lives on!

Title                        Artist

Who Dun It                                              Monk Higgins

Gotta Be Funky                                        Monk Higgins

MacArthur Park                                        Monk Higgins

Extra Soul Perception                                Monk Higgins

Your Love is Important to Me                    Betty Everett

Twine Time                                                Alvin Cash and the Registers

Bird Nest on the Ground                Muddy Waters

Pop It to Me                                               Howlin' Wolf

I'm Shorty                                                  Tommy Tucker

All I Want for Christmas is Your Love       Mamie Galore

Black Fox                                                   Freddy Robinson

Soul Symphony                                          Three Sounds

I Prefer You                                                 Etta James

More and More                                           Blood, Sweat and Tears

Collision in Black                                        Blue Mitchell

Sittin' Duck                                                  Gene Harris

Up in Heah                                                   Junior Wells

Tell Mr. Bland                                              Bobby "Blue" Bland

You Got Me Loving You                              Bobby "Blue" Bland

Sweet Vibrations                                           Bobby "Blue" Bland

Here We Go Again                                       Bobby "Blue" Bland

Come Fly With Me                                       Bobby "Blue" Bland

I Feel Good, I Feel Fine                                 Bobby "Blue" Bland