Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Gerry Wiggins (HiFi Jazz: Wiggin' Out

Gerry Wiggins (HiFi Jazz: Wiggin' Out

By C. Andrew Hovan
January 1, 2000
View read count

Very much a behind-the-scenes type of musician, pianist Gerald Wiggins is an excellent player who came up during the swing era working with Louis Armstrong and Benny Carter, among others. In the early '50s, he headed to California where he would accompany divas such as Eartha Kitt and Kay Starr, in addition to day gigs in the studios as a film coach and director.

Adding considerably to Wiggins' slight catalog of albums as a leader, Wiggin' Out is also only one of two recordings that put him behind a Hammond B-3 organ, the other being his sideman appearance on Teddy Edwards' Contemporary session Heart & Soul. Wiggins gets a full and vibrant attack from the instrument that is not quite as gutsy as Jimmy Smith's sound, but not as light as Shirley Scott's. Land proves to be a perfect foil for this organ combo, with a jocular approach that is also quite intelligent, while drummer Mills adds just the right splash of hot oil, particularly with his turn at "A Night in Tunisia."

Representing his talents as a writer, two refined Wiggins originals appear along with some old chestnuts, rounding out a thoroughly agreeable romp that will be a must for fans of that ol' B-3, not to mention followers of Land. As an added caveat, Wiggins' smiling mug graces one of the best West Coast albums covers you've probably never seen, yet another reason to buy!

Track Listing

Wiggin' Out, Teach Me Tonight, A Night in Tunisia, Yes, Dove, Don't Get Around Much Anymore, Without a Song (38:55)

Personnel

Gerry Wiggins

Gerry Wiggins- organ, Harold Land- tenor saxophone, Jackie Mills- drums

Album information

Title: Wiggin' Out | Year Released: 2000 | Record Label: Fantasy Jazz

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Almost Blue: Chet Lives
< Previous

Holiday Music '99
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.