Jazz Trombonist Jiggs Whigham |
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Whigham, an alum of the Glenn Miller and Stan Kenton orchestras, delighted audiences each night with his liquid and lyrical trombone solos during several selections with the band, including Duke Ellington’s Daydream; the David Raskin and Johnny Mercer jazz standard Laura; a John Coltrane tribute number, To John, penned by trombonist Slide Hampton; and Jules Styne’s You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To. Jiggs Whigham is an internationally acclaimed trombonist, band leader and educator. This versatile performer, born in Cleveland, Ohio in 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. 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 has led the Swiss Radio Band, the Berlin Radio Orchestra, and is currently conductor of the BBC Big Band in Great Britain and artistic director of the Berlin Jazz Orchestra. The Liberty Big Band wishes to extend a huge “Thank You” to Jiggs for his tutelage, wisdom and artistry! |
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