Bret Higgins

Bret Higgins is a composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Toronto, Canada. He leads a varied career that includes writing music for film and television, original music for ensembles, co-writes, producing, arranging, and performing & recording with an array of artists from across a broad spectrum of contemporary music.

The bassist's prolific work as a composer has won him numerous awards, grants, residencies, and scholarships. His music has been heard in clubs, theatres, and concert halls throughout North America, Europe, Australia, Brazil and Chile. Additionally, he has received a number of music commissions by notable performing ensembles.

Bret has released 3 Recordings of his original music. His debut ‘self-titled' CD was released by John Zorn on Tzadik Records in 2015, and the followup CD ‘Illusion Machine’ was released in 2018 on Chant Records. His 3rd release
'Scoring the Unseen' 2026 is currently available on Boomba Records.

In addition to his active career as a composer, and as well as leading his own band ‘Bret Higgins’ Atlas Revolt’, Bret performs regularly with Canadian folk-rock group Great Lake Swimmers, Canada's leading klezmer-balkan group Beyond The Pale, and guitar trio Brigadeiros. Additionally, he has shared the stage, and / or recorded with many luminaries of the folk, jazz, and world music communities, including Leif Vollebekk, Julian Taylor, Sarah Slean, Rose Cousins, Bywater Call, Good Lovelies, Basia Bulat, David Myles, Amelia Curran, Serena Ryder, NQ Arbuckle, Jadea Kelly, Lily Frost, Fortunate Ones, Justin Rutledge, Bob Egan (Blue Rodeo), SoCalled, The Wailin’ Jennys,
Ben Caplan, Lara St. John, Ben Goldberg (Tin Hat, New Klezmer Trio), Frank London (Klezmatics), David Buchbinder (Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band, Odessa-Havana), Hugh Marsh, and David Amram.

Special highlights of his performance career include; concerts with Great Lake Swimmers at the 2010 JUNO Awards, the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in both Whistler and Vancouver, and at Massey Hall as part of their 2014 ‘Live at Massey Hall’ series. Additionally Bret performed at Carnegie Hall in 2009 as a special guest at the 85th birthday of Theodore Bikel, and in a 2005 performance
at the Canadian Governor General's Awards at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

Bret performs extensively in Toronto, and has toured throughout North America, Europe, South America, Australia, and Asia.

Gear

1938 German Double Bass, 1975 Fender P-Bass, Piano, Wurlitzer, Clavinet, Synths, Vibraphone, 

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