Paddy Higginson plays alto and soprano saxophone for Mr. Wilson’s Second Liners.

Paddy is an exceptional multi-instrumentalist and teacher, dividing his skills and passion between education, the development of community music, and professional performances.

He works for various North West-based function bands, including The Soul Convicts for whom he has also designed automated lighting to enhance their live performances. The band works with commercial and community clients, and as well as playing notable regional venues including The Guild Hall (Preston), The Grand (Clitheroe) and headlining at Darwen Festival, he has also toured internationally with The Blackburn with Darwen Big Band.

Paddy has made a quiet but profound impact on the development of music in his home community of Blackburn.  Teaching in secondary school settings and within the community, Paddy has supported hundreds of local young people to access music tuition across the Blackburn and Darwen area.

He is accredited with impressive qualifications: a London College of Music Diploma, grade 8 in alto saxophone, BA Hons in Jazz Studies from Leeds College of Music, and the Graduate Teacher Programme at Edge Hill University, Bradford and Leeds.

Paddy is also a celebrated hockey player, training weekly and captaining his local team, Blackburn Northern Hockey Club Men’s 1st Eleven.