{{short description|American pianist (1922-2008)}} {{for|the American psychologist |Jerry S. Wiggins}} {{for|the British politician |Jerry Wiggin}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Gerald Wiggins | image = Helen Humes and Gerry Wiggins.jpg | caption = Helen Humes and Wiggins at the Village Jazz Lounge in Walt Disney World | image_size = | background = non_vocal_instrumentalist | birth_name = Gerald Foster Wiggins | alias = | birth_date = {{birth date|1922|5|12}} | death_date = {{death date and age|2008|7|13|1922|5|12}} | death_place = Encino, California, U.S. | birth_place = New York City, New York, U.S. | instrument = Piano, organ | genre = Jazz | occupation = Musician, composer, arranger | years_active = | website = }}
'''Gerald Foster Wiggins''' (May 12, 1922 – July 13, 2008) was an American jazz pianist and organist.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/gerald-wiggins-mn0000653250/biography|title=Gerald Wiggins {{!}} Biography & History|website=AllMusic|access-date=2017-01-17}}</ref>
==Early life== Wiggins was born in New York City on May 12, 1922.<ref name="Grove">Vacher, Peter [http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/subscriber/article/grove/music/J482600 "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).</ref> He studied classical music, but switched to jazz in his teens.<ref name="Grove" /><ref>{{cite book |last=Bryant |first=Clora |author-link= |date=1998 |title=Central Avenue sounds: Jazz in Los Angeles |url=https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520220980/central-avenue-sounds |location=Berkeley, California |publisher=University of California Press |pages=311–323 |isbn=9780520220980}}</ref>
==Later life and career== Wiggins began as a professional career as a musician accompanying comedian Stepin Fetchit.<ref name="Grove" /> Wiggins worked with Louis Armstrong and Benny Carter.<ref name="Grove" /> He was in the military from 1944 to 1946.<ref name="Grove" /> In the 1940s, he moved to Los Angeles, where he played music for television and film. He also worked with singers like Lena Horne (1950–51), Kay Starr, and Eartha Kitt.<ref name="Grove" /> In 1960, his best recording as a pianist 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,"<ref name="Grove" /> including "a lengthy stint as vocal coach for Marilyn Monroe."<ref name=Guardian>{{cite news |last=Vacher |first=Peter |date=October 23, 2008 |title=Gerry Wiggins |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/oct/24/jazz-popandrock |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=October 11, 2018 }}</ref> In the 1970s he often collaborated with vocalist Helen Humes.<ref name=Guardian />
Wiggins was known for his trio with Andy Simpkins and Paul Humphrey, among others.<ref name="Grove" /> He also appeared in an episode of ''227'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2107863/|title=Gerald Wiggins|website=IMDb.com|access-date=2017-01-17}}</ref> and an episode of ''Moesha'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/gerald-wiggins/person/17453/summary.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205023237/http://www.tv.com/gerald-wiggins/person/17453/summary.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 5, 2013|title=Gerald Wiggins|website=TV.com|access-date=2017-01-17}}</ref> in both cases he played a pianist.<!--Check to make sure this is the same guy--> "He appeared regularly at American jazz parties and festivals and occasionally at Japanese and European festivals and was in demand for recording sessions."<ref name="Grove" /> Late in his career, Wiggins recorded for Concord Records which according to ''The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz'' "demonstrate his firm touch, all-round musicianship, and sense of swing."<ref name="Grove" />
==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,<ref name=Guardian /><ref>{{cite news|last=Heckman |first=Don |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jul-15-me-wiggins15-story.html|title=Jazz pianist played with his trio, plus many greats|date=July 15, 2008|newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> and died in Los Angeles on July 13, 2008, at the age of 86.<ref name="Gerald Wiggins">{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article4391407.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524140537/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article4391407.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 24, 2010|title=Gerald Wiggins: Leading Los Angeles Jazz Pianist|date=July 25, 2008|newspaper=The Times}}</ref><ref name=Guardian />
==Selected discography== === As leader/co-leader === * ''Wiggin' with Wig'' (Dig, 1956) * ''Relax and Enjoy It!'' (Contemporary, 1956) * ''Collections'' with Red Norvo, Art Pepper and Joe Morello (Intro, 1957) * ''Reminiscin' with Wig'' (Motif, 1957) * ''The King and I'' (Challenge, 1957) * ''The Gerald Wiggins Trio'' (Tampa, 1958) * ''The Loveliness of You...'' (Tampa, 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 Benny Carter''' *''Aspects'' (United Artists, 1959) '''With Buddy Collette''' *''Tanganyika'' (Dig, 1956) *''Man of Many Parts'' (Contemporary, 1956) *''Everybody's Buddy'' (Challenge, 1957) *''Porgy & Bess'' (Interlude 1957 [1959]) '''With Harry Edison''' *''"Sweets" for the Sweet'' (Sue, 1964) *''Sweets for the Sweet Taste of Love'' (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''' *''Illinois Jacquet and His Orchestra'' (Verve, 1956) '''With Cal Tjader''' *''Cal Tjader Quartet'' (Fantasy, 1956) '''With Gerald Wilson''' *''Jessica'' (Trend, 1983)
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://oralhistory.library.ucla.edu/viewItem.do?ark=21198/zz0008zmvt&title=Wiggins,%20Gerald Interview of Gerald Wiggins], part of [http://www.ucpress.edu/book.php?isbn=9780520220980 Central Avenue Sounds Oral History Project], Center for Oral History Research, UCLA Library Special Collections, University of California, Los Angeles. *[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p7816/biography|pure_url=yes}} All Music] *[https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/gerald-wig-wiggins Gerald Wiggins Interview] NAMM Oral History Library, February 13, 2008.
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Wiggins, Gerald}} Category:1922 births Category:2008 deaths Category:American jazz pianists Category:American male jazz pianists Category:West Coast jazz pianists Category:Challenge Records artists Category:Specialty Records artists Category:20th-century American pianists Category:The Capp-Pierce Juggernaut members Category:American military personnel of World War II Category:20th-century American male pianists