Values (Remaster) Jiggs Whigham

• 1 Values 05:40
• 2 Result 07:49
• 3 Dance of the Magic Eggs 06:48
• 4 Gemini Samba 05:12
• 5 Am I Blue 04:47
• 6 Jiggs 08:32
• Total Runtime 38:48

Info for Values (Remaster)

Born in Cleveland Ohio in 1943, Jiggs Whigham began playing professionally at 17; by the age of 20 he occupied the first trombone chair with Stan Kenton, moved onto Maynard Ferguson’s band, and then to Cologne Germany in 1965 where he immediately found work with Kurt Edelhagen’s popular big band. Jiggs went on to become an international name, both as a player and as an educator – his playing credits read like a telephone book of jazz greats from Cannonball Adderley to Joe Zawinul. The crack quartet on this 1971 album includes the Swiss jazz pioneer, pianist George Gruntz and the quality bass and drums of Austrian great J. A. Rettenbacher and American Tony Inzalaco. Everyone gets a say on the urbane up-tempo Values, as Jiggs electronically divides his playing into two octaves and Gruntz solos on electric keyboard. The group composition Result wends its way down its modal path led by Jigg’s crystal-clear tone – sparkling bass and piano solos on this acoustic gem. The rocking blues Dance of the Magic Eggs has the band back in electric mode with Jigg’s funky synth solo, along with e-bass and e-piano. The band takes a warm, relaxed Brazilian detour on Gemini Samba, and then journeys home to a lush, soulful version of Am I Blue, the song first made famous by Ethel Waters, and covered by everyone from Billy Holiday to Cher. Jiggs is a minor-key modal tour de force, highlighted by Whigham’s passionate synth-enhanced solo. One of Jigg’s best recordings.

Jiggs Whigham, trombone
George Gruntz, piano, Fender Rhodes
J.A. Rettenbacher, double bass
Tony Inzalaco, drums

Recorded March 1971 at MPS-Tonstudio, Villingen, Germany
Engineered Rolf Donner
Produced by Willi Fruth

Digitally remastered

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, and two years later at age 19, 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 Professor at the Guildhall School Of Music And Drama in London and visiting tutor at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England.

He was recently appointed musical director of the LaJJOB (Brandenburger Youth Jazz Orchestra). In addition, in 2008 he will be the musical director of the 'BUJAZZO' (German national Youth Jazz Orchestra).

Jiggs Whigham is a lifetime member and general advisor to the International Trombone Association, British Trombone Society and the German Trombone Society. He is a lifetime member of the International Trombone Association.

This album contains no booklet.