Jiggs Whigham is an internationally acclaimed trombonist, bandleader, and educator. This versatile performer, born Oliver Haydn Whigham III (the nickname Jiggs was given by his grandfather) 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 he was awarded First Prize at the first competition for Modern Jazz in Vienna.
Using Bonn, Berlin, and Cape Cod as home bases, Whigham has performed and recorded with such notables as Count Basie, Dizzy Gilliespie, Dexter Gordon, Werner Mueller, Hank Jones, George Gruntz, Clark Terry, Bert Kaempfert, Peter Herbolzheimer, Lee Konitz, Bud Shank, Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett and many others. He has recorded extensively as both soloist and orchestra leader and these recordings are available worldwide.
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 "Hans Elsler 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 artistic director of the Berlin Jazz Orchestra and conductor of the BBC Big Band in Great Britain.
Jiggs Whigham is a lifetime member and general advisor to the International Trombone Association and the German Trombone Society. He is a lifetime member of the International Association of Jazz Educators, and is active as a soloist, conductor, and educator for the United Musical Instrument Company.
