Little Miss Higgins

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From the Great Northern Plains, Little Miss Higgins struts and serenades her way onto any stage playing music brewed up in early country blues, jazz and folk.  For over 15 years, she has performed, toured, collaborated, recorded and released 5 independent albums.  Her music has won three Western Canadian Music Awards and received Juno and Maple Blues Awards nominations.  Now, along with motherhood, Higgins has the newest addition to her list of accomplishments, My Home, My Heart.

Recorded at The Song Shop in Winnipeg, Manitoba, My Home, My Heart is a collection of fresh songs from a unique artist, who remains true to her roots, but has ventured into new territory.  Her voice has never been richer or songwriting riper, and the crew of Winnipeg musicians Higgins has brought together on this musical steam ship shines with talent.  Co-produced with Scott Nolan and engineered by Jamie Sitar of Outta Town Sound, this album is an effortless addition to this artist’s impressive body of work.  To top it all off, her hand-drawn ink artwork is used for the album cover design.

Little Miss Higgins (aka Jolene Higgins) was born in Brooks, Alberta, and raised in Independence, Kansas.  Music entered her life early.  “When I was about four my dad brought home an old mini-grand piano and told me it was mine.  I carved my name in the side of it and then I had to start taking piano lessons.”

Higgins now uses guitar and voice as her main instruments as well as her theatre background to bring a refreshing sound and story to the stage.  Higgins settled in Saskatchewan from 2002-2013 and that’s when music took the driver’s seat.  Over that time she built her career touring across Canada performing in clubs, theatres and festivals.

As a songwriter and musician, Higgins has been influenced by a range of artists from Memphis Minnie and Billie Holiday to Joni Mitchell and Dolly Parton as well as the vast array of Canadian musicians and bands she has had the fortune to see live or even share a stage with like Big Dave McLean, Corb Lund and the Deep Dark Woods to name a few.

In 2011, Higgins opened kd lang’s album release tour in Britain and has appeared live on many CBC radio shows such as Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Café, Michael Enright’s Sunday Edition and Rich Terfry’s Drive.  Her talents have also been put to use in the creation of a dust-bowl folk opera in collaboration with the Old Trout Puppet Workshop of Calgary, Alberta.  Sharing her abilities with others, young and old, is another passion; she has taught songwriting at many schools and workshops including the Hornby Island Blues Workshop and Play & Record at the West End Cultural Centre in Winnipeg MB.

Higgins has since made the province of Manitoba her home with her partner and son.  Though motherhood takes up most of her time these days, she continues to perform, write, paint, and cultivate her creative spirit.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:

Jolene Higgins aka Little Miss Higgins, has a sexy jazz cabaret voice which is almost more at home in the 1920s than it is today, yet is still timeless." - L.A. Beat.

"It’s up to Miss Higgins to bring the sass and the sweet. The lady does not disappoint; revelling in the seamless backing which allows her to lay out the full range of her impressive vocal talents." - Cashbox.

"Put on your finest duds and get ready for a night out on the town with this collection of country swing, elegantly understated blues and jazz, and a touch of honky-tonk thrown in for good measure. Sure, you might call this ... old-timey, but it shouldn’t be perceived as a criticism, since it’s neither dated nor derivative. Everything ... is as pleasantly charming as Higgins herself, and feels just as comfortable as your favourite pair of cowboy boots. - New Music Canada. 

The Rogue Folk Club is pleased to provide great SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES for all our shows. For a nominal cost, individuals or businesses can sponsor any of our shows and reap a number of benefits - free tickets, reserved table, recognition on literature, our web site and at the concerts. For more information simply contact our Sponsorship Director Morris Biddle at mobiddley@me.com

Please note that the admission price for this concert includes a $2 Venue Improvement Fee that we are required by the St. James Square to collect from every patron. Starting in September 2016, the proceeds from this temporary fee will be used for construction projects such as ventilation, flooring and washrooms that will make the hall a nicer place for you to visit in the future. If you wish, you can make a secure donation by clicking on the big blue button at the bottom of the page at www.sjcommunitysquare.org. For information on donating by phone or post, please contact the St. James Square office at 604-739-9373.