Gerald Wiggins
Gerald Wiggins (May 12, 1922 – July 13, 2008) was a jazz pianist and organist.
Contents
Early life
Wiggins was born in New York City. He studied classical music, but switched to jazz in his teens.
Later life and career
Wiggins began as a professional playing accompaniment to Stepin Fetchit. He worked with Louis Armstrong and Benny Carter. In the 1940s he moved to Los Angeles where he played music for television and film. He also worked with singers like Lena Horne, Kay Starr, Nat King Cole, Lou Rawls, Jimmy Witherspoon and Eartha Kitt. In 1960 his best recording as an organist appeared, Wiggin' Out, known for the quality of its music and fresh, clear sound. He recorded only another LP at the organ with saxophonist Teddy Edwards.
He was perhaps best known for his trio, the other two members being Andy Simpkins and Paul Humphrey. He also appeared in an episode of 227[1] and an episode of Moesha,[2] in both cases he played a pianist.
He was sometimes called "The Wig" and his son J. J. Wiggins (now known as Hassan Shakur) is a bassist.
Wiggins died in Los Angeles on July 13, 2008, aged 86.[3]
Selected discography
As leader
- Wiggin' with Wig (1956) Dig
- Relax and enjoy it! (1956) Contemporary
- Reminiscin' with Wig (1957) Fresh Sound
- The King and I (1957) Challenge
- Music from "Around the world in 90 days" in modern jazz (1957) Specialty
- Wiggin' out (1960) Hi-Fi Jazz (as organist)
- Memory Lane (1964) Ava
- Wig is here (1977) Black and Blue
- A beautiful friendship (1977) Black and Blue
- Live at Maybeck Recital Hall (1990) Concord
- Soulidarity (1995) Concord
As sideman
With Buddy Collette
- Man of Many Parts (Contemporary, 1956)
- Everybody's Buddy (Challenge, 1957)
With Tal Farlow
- Autumn In New York (1954; Verve)
With Mel Brown
- Chicken Fat (Impulse!, 1967)
With Teddy Edwards
- Heart & Soul (Contemporary, 1962)
With Paul Horn
- House of Horn (Dot, 1957)
With Illinois Jacquet
- Illinois Jacquet and His Orchestra (Verve, 1956)
References
- ↑ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2107863/
- ↑ http://www.tv.com/gerald-wiggins/person/17453/summary.html
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
- Interview of Gerald Wiggins, part of Central Avenue Sounds Oral History Project, Center for Oral History Research, UCLA Library Special Collections, University of California, Los Angeles.
- BBC Radio 2
- All Music
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