Gerald Foster Wiggins (May 12, 1922 – July 13, 2008) was an American jazz pianist and organist.

Early life

Wiggins was born in New York City on May 12, 1922.Vacher, Pete
"Wiggins, Gerry"
''The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz'' (2nd edition). Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press. Retrieved February 1, 2016. (Subscription required). He studied classical music, but switched to jazz in his teens.

Later life and career

Wiggins began as a professional career as a musician accompanying comedian Stepin Fetchit. Wiggins worked with Louis Armstrong and

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. He was in the military from 1944 to 1946. In the 1940s, he moved to Los Angeles, where he played music for television and film. He also worked with singers like

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(1950–51),

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, and

Eartha Kitt Eartha Kitt (born Eartha Mae Keith; January 17, 1927 – December 25, 2008) was an American singer and actress known for her highly distinctive singing style and her 1953 recordings of " C'est si bon" and the Christmas novelty song " Santa ...

. In 1960, his best recording as an organist appeared, ''Wiggin' Out'', known for the quality of its music and fresh, clear sound. He recorded another LP at the organ with saxophonist Teddy Edwards. "In the 1960s he worked as a music director and vocal coach in film studios," including "a lengthy stint as vocal coach for Marilyn Monroe." In the 1970s he often collaborated with vocalist Helen Humes. Wiggins was known for his trio with Andy Simpkins and Paul Humphrey, among others. He also appeared in an episode of ''

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'', and an episode of '' Moesha'', in both cases he played a pianist. "He appeared regularly at American jazz parties and festivals and occasionally at Japanese and European festivals and was in demand for recording sessions." Late in his career, Wiggins recorded for

Concord Records Concord Records is an American record label owned by Concord and based in Los Angeles, California. Concord Records was launched in 1995 as an imprint designed to reach beyond the company's foundational Concord Jazz label. The label's artists hav ...

which according to ''The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz'' "demonstrate his firm touch, all-round musicianship, and sense of swing."

Personal life and death

Wiggins was married to Lynn Wiggins from 1987 until his death. He had two children, three step-children, and several grandchildren, and died in Los Angeles on July 13, 2008 at the age of 86.

Selected discography

As leader/co-leader

*''Wiggin' with Wig'' (Dig, 1956) *''Relax and Enjoy It!'' (Contemporary, 1956) *'' Collections'' (Intro, 1957) with

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and

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*''Reminiscin' with Wig'' (Fresh Sound, 1957) *''The King and I'' ( Challenge, 1957) *''The Gerald Wiggins Trio'' (Tampa Records, 1958) *''The Loveliness of You...'' (Tampa Records, 1958) *''Music from "Around the World in 80 days" in Modern Jazz'' (Specialty 1958) *''Wiggin' out'' (Hi-Fi Jazz 1960) – as organist *''Memory Lane'' (Ava 1964) *''Wig is here'' (Black and Blue 1977) *''A beautiful friendship'' (Black and Blue 1977) *'' Live at Maybeck Recital Hall, Volume Eight'' (Concord 1990) *''Soulidarity'' (Concord 1995) * Gerry Wiggins and friends (Madwig Music 2002)

As sideman

With Mel Brown *'' Chicken Fat'' (Impulse!, 1967) With Red Callender *'' The Lowest'' (MetroJazz, 1958) With

*'' Aspects'' (United Artists, 1959) With

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*'' Tanganyika'' (Dig, 1956) *'' Man of Many Parts'' (Contemporary, 1956) *'' Everybody's Buddy'' (Challenge, 1957) *'' Porgy & Bess'' (Interlude 1957 959 With Harry Edison *'' "Sweets" for the Sweet'' (Sue, 1964) *''

Sweets for the Sweet Taste of Love ''Sweets for the Sweet Taste of Love'' is an album by jazz trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison with recorded in California in 1964 and released by the Vee-Jay label.Callahan, M. & Edwards, DBoth Sides Now: Vee-Jay Album Discography, Part 2: Main Ser ...

'' (Vee-Jay, 1964) With Teddy Edwards *'' Heart & Soul'' (as organist) (Contemporary, 1962) With Tal Farlow * '' Autumn In New York'' (Norgran 1954) With Paul Horn *'' House of Horn'' (Dot, 1957) With

Illinois Jacquet Jean-Baptiste "Illinois" Jacquet (October 30, 1922 – July 22, 2004) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, best remembered for his solo on "Flying Home", critically recognized as the first R&B saxophone solo. Although he was a pioneer of t ...

*''

Illinois Jacquet and His Orchestra ''Illinois Jacquet and His Orchestra'' (also released as ''Groovin' with Jacquet'') is an album by American jazz saxophonist Illinois Jacquet recorded in 1955 and originally released on the Clef label.Cal Tjader Callen Radcliffe Tjader Jr. ( ; July 16, 1925 – May 5, 1982) was an American Latin Jazz musician, known as the most successful non-Latino Latin musician. He explored other jazz idioms, even as he continued to perform music of Afro-Jazz, ...

*''Cal Tjader Quartet'' (Fantasy, 1956) With

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*'' Jessica'' (Trend, 1983)

References

External links

Interview of Gerald Wiggins
part o
Central Avenue Sounds Oral History Project
Center for Oral History Research, UCLA Library Special Collections, University of California, Los Angeles. * All Musicbr>Gerald Wiggins Interview
NAMM Oral History Library, February 13, 2008. {{DEFAULTSORT:Wiggins, Gerald 1922 births 2008 deaths American jazz pianists American male pianists West Coast jazz pianists Challenge Records artists Specialty Records artists 20th-century American pianists 20th-century American male musicians American male jazz musicians The Capp-Pierce Juggernaut members American military personnel of World War II