Gerald Wiggins
Gerald Wiggins was a highly flexible pianist quite comfortable in swing or bop settings, but he was at his best when performing with his longtime trio, a group that also included bassist Andy Simpkins and drummer Paul Humphrey. Wiggins' swinging and consistently witty style, typically filled with catchy riffs, was at times reminiscent of Erroll Garner and Art Tatum, but generally quite distinctive.
"The Wig" started with piano lessons when he was four, switching from classical music to jazz as a teenager. He doubled on bass while attending New York City's High School of Music & Art and worked for a time in the early '40s as a piano accompanist for Stepin Fetchit. Wiggins played with Les Hite, and in 1943 toured with the big bands of Louis Armstrong and Benny Carter. While in the military (1944-1946), he often played in local jazz clubs in Seattle. After his discharge, he settled permanently in the Los Angeles area. A popular accompanist for singers, Wiggins worked with Lena Horne (touring with her from 1950-1951), Helen Humes, Ella Mae Morse, Eartha Kitt, Nat King Cole, Kay Starr, Lou Rawls, Ernie Andrews, Linda Hopkins, and Joe Williams, among others. Wiggins was also employed as a vocal coach at Hollywood film studios and had the opportunity to work with Marilyn Monroe.
In the Los Angeles area, Wiggins led trios from the 1950s onward, becoming a consistent fixture in local clubs. He also played piano with the Frank Capp Juggernaut and worked with fellow Concord artists like Scott Hamilton. Through the years, Wiggins led sessions for Swing and Vogue (both in 1950), Ember, Crown, Tampa, Specialty, Motif, Mode, Challenge, Hi-Fi, Contemporary (1961), Black & Blue, and, in the 1990s, Concord. His son J.J. Wiggins is a fine bassist. Gerald Wiggins died in Los Angeles in July of 2008; he was 86 years old.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
Diskografie
11 Album, -en • Geordnet nach Bestseller
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Swingin' with Wig. Classic Trio Sessions 1956-1957 (Remastered)
Jazz - Erschienen bei Fresh Sound Records am 12.12.2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Chico Hamilton, Buddy Collette, Gerald Wiggins
The Gerry Mulligan Quartet, Buddy Collette, Gerald Wiggins
Jazz - Erschienen bei Allegro am 31.12.1899
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Relax and Enjoy It (Remastered)
Jazz - Erschienen bei Avid Entertainment am 08.04.2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Four Classic Albums (The Gerald Wiggins Trio / The Loveliness of You / Music from Around the World in Eighty Days / Relax and Enjoy It) [Remastered]
Jazz - Erschienen bei Avid Entertainment am 08.04.2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The King and I
Jazz - Erschienen bei Fresh Sound Records am 01.07.1989
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Gerald Wiggins Trio (Remastered)
Jazz - Erschienen bei Avid Entertainment am 08.04.2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The King and I + Around the World in 80 Days (2024 Remastered)
Jazz - Erschienen bei Fresh Sound Records am 26.01.2024
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Music from Around the World in Eighty Days (Remastered)
Jazz - Erschienen bei Avid Entertainment am 08.04.2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Complete Jazz Series 1950
Jazz - Erschienen bei Complete Jazz Series am 14.09.2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Loveliness of You (Remastered)
Jazz - Erschienen bei Avid Entertainment am 08.04.2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo