HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY to Jiggs Whigham!!!

[officermayo]

HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY to Jiggs Whigham!!!

Jiggs Whigham is an internationally acclaimed trombonist, band leader and educator. This versatile performer, born Oliver Haydn Whigham III (the nickname Jiggs was given by his grandfather) in Cleveland Ohio on 20 August 1943, first came to the attention of critics and fans at 17, as featured soloist and first trombonist with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, directed by Ray McKinley. Two years later, he was first and solo trombonist with Stan Kenton. Following a year of studio and Broadway Musical engagements in New York, he became featured soloist with the Kurt Edelhagen Jazz Orchestra at the West German Broadcasting Company in Cologne, Germany in 1965. In 1966 his was awarded 1st Prize at the first competition for Modern Jazz in Vienna.He uses Bonn, London and Cape Cod as home bases, In 1979 he was named Professor and Head of the Jazz Department at Cologne University College of Music, the first appointment of its kind in Germany. In 1995 he was named “Professor for Life” and head of the Jazz-Popular Music Department at the “Hanns Eisler” College of Music in Berlin. From 2000-2001 he was visiting professor at Indiana University. He was bandleader of the Swiss Radio Band (Radio DRS) from 1984-1986. From 1995-2000 he was chief conductor and artistic director of the Berlin Radio Orchestra (RIAS Big Band Berlin).

He is currently soloist and clinician worldwide, conductor of the BBC Big Band in Great Britain, artistic director of the Berlin Jazz Orchestra and visiting tutor at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England. He is musical director of the LaJJOB (Brandenburger Youth Jazz Orchestra) and artistic director of the BUJAZZO (german jazz orchestra).

Jiggs Whigham is President Emeritus of the International Trombone Association (ITA).

He is also a lifetime member of the ITA, the British Trombone Society (BTS) and the German Trombone Society (IPV).

Jiggs Whigham is active as a soloist, conductor, composer, author and educator. He is a clinician and ‘artist in residence’ for the Conn-Selmer Company .

Jiggs is author of the book “Jazz Trombone” (Edition Schott – ED 12710) and ‘Steps’ (a guide to jazz for wind ensemble (Edition Schott – ED 20910)).

Source: Jiggs Whigham

[Bach5G]

Jiggs’ best recording?

[Slydeguy]

I’ve always dug The Jiggs Up side from the Port Townsend jazz festival in 1999.

[EriKon]

Depends what's 'best':

His most incredible recordings are probably with Bert Kaempfert, a German dance orchestra, where he played lots of sweet melodious stuff in extreme high range with lots of taste.

I personally always liked the album 'Hope' which is a nice quintet recording w Herb Geller, Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen, Grady Tate on drums and I forgot the piano player. Just an album that is really nice to listen to.

Also difficult to find but there's also a wonderful recording of 'Emily' with WDR bigband and orchestra, album is called 'The Third Stone'.