Hope (Remastered) Jiggs Whigham

• 1 Bodge 03:37
• 2 The Healer 06:00
• 3 Hope 04:56
• 4 Absolutely Knot 05:51
• 5 Owa Tagu Siam 04:46
• 6 Sunflower Chant 06:48
• 7 Chant 04:45
• 8 Going Home 02:38
• Total Runtime 39:21

Info for Hope (Remastered)

'Hope is really a fantastic jazz album from one of the best trombonists I know. And what’s probably most remarkable about Jiggs Whigham (trb) is the way he manages, with his very special sound, to influence all that he’s playing. There is a really relaxed expression, a very special warmth which he pours over everything with his instrument... Together with this band (Ferdinand Povel - sax, flt; Rob Franken - p, rhodes; Nils-Henning Oersted Pedersen - b; Grady Tate - dr) he actually manages to completely draw you in to each of the pieces. I really hope that you feel this way too when you hear this album, this music!'

This is Bill Watrous who is talking so enthusiastically about his colleague Jiggs Whigham and his album 'Hope'. The two exceptional trombonist, both of whom played in the 'Johnny Richards Orchestra' in NYC in the late 1960s, had almost lost track of each other. 'It really was a great loss for us New York cats, as Jiggs just disappeared off to Europe' said Watrous, 'but I’ve never forgotten his tone and his energetic expression with his instrument!'

It’s no wonder then, that Bill Watrous immediately recognised his former bandmate by his sound when he by chance heard the first recordings from the album in a renowned New York big band agency. “Hope“ is therefore also the story of two musicians who were able to revive their friendship!

„An excellent trombonist who has not received the attention that he is due, Jiggs Whigham is in top form on this 1976 studio session, accompanied by a top-notch band, including keyboardist Rob Franken, multi-reed player Ferdinand Povel, bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and drummer Grady Tate. Five of the album's eight tracks are originals by the leader, with the haunting ballad 'Bodge' and the funky 'Owa Tagu Siam (Oh What a Goose I Am)' (in which he plays through a King Multivider) standing out. Franken switches to an electric piano for a dreamy interpretation of the spiritual 'Goin' Home.' Initially issued by Pausa, this recommended release was finally reissued on CD by the German Mons label nearly two decades after its first appearance.“ (Ken Dryden, AMG)

Jiggs Whigham, trombone, percussion
Rob Franken, piano, Fender Rhodes
Ferdinand Povel, saxophone, flute
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, bass
Grady Tate, drums

Recorded January 24, 1976 at Rhenus Studios, Cologne
Engineered by Justus Liebich
Produced by Jiggs Whigham

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.

Booklet for Hope (Remastered)