Gerald Wiggins

It is particularly telling that an online video search for Gerald Wiggins turns up no videos wherein he is the leader. As we see below, there are a pair of fine videos where he accompanies saxophone greats Benny Carter and Scott Hamilton. Each video gives a nice snapshot of Gerry’s astute handling of the accompanist’ s role. In the Hamilton video note the obvious glee in Scott’s reaction to the piano solo.

In a stroke of programming genius, the Central PA Friends of Jazz presented Gerry Wiggins and his bassist son, Hassan Shakur in a Father’s Day performance a few years ago. It was an afternoon of musical comfort food, filling and satisfying.

It is a real shame that Concord has removed Wiggins’ Maybeck recital from the catalog. There is an entire generation of music fans who could benefit from and enjoy making the acquaintance of Gerald Wiggins.