Gerald Foster Wiggins (born May 12, 1922 in New York City died July 13, 2008 in Los Angeles) was a jazz pianist and organist.
He studied classical, but switched to jazz in his teens. He began as a professional playing accompaniment to Stepin Fetchit. He worked with Louis Armstrong and Benny Carter. In the 1940s he moved to Los Angeles where he played music for television and film.
He also worked with singers like Lena Horne, Kay Starr, Nat King Cole,Lou Rawls, Jimmy Witherspoon and Eartha Kitt. In 1960 his best recording as an organist appeared, Wiggin' Out, known for the quality of its music and fresh, clear -like live- sound.Gerald had long been a highly flexible pianist quite comfortable in swing or bop settings, but he was at his best when performing with his longtime trio, a group also including bassist Andy Simpkins and drummer Paul Humphrey. Wiggins' swinging and consistently witty style, typically filled with catchy riffs, was at times reminiscent of Erroll Garner and Art Tatum, but generally quite distinctive.
A popular accompanist for singers, Wiggins worked with Lena Horne (touring with her from 1950-1951), Helen Humes, Ella Mae Morse, Eartha Kitt, Nat King Cole, Kay Starr, Lou Rawls, Ernie Andrews, Linda Hopkins, and Joe Williams, among others. Wiggins was also employed at Hollywood film studios and became the voice coach for many movie actors who took on singing roles. In particular, he was Marilyn Monroe’s tutor for her songs in such films as Some Like It Hot. In pride of place in his music room was a huge signed portrait of her, inscribed with her thanks: “I can’t make a sound without you,” it said. 
In the Los Angeles area, Wiggins has led trios since the 1950s, becoming a consistent fixture in local clubs. In recent times, he has played piano with Frank Capp Juggernaut and worked with fellow Concord artists, like Scott Hamilton. Gerald Wiggins has led sessions through the years for Swing and Vogue (both in 1950), Ember, Crown, Tampa, Specialty, Motif, Mode, Challenge, Hi-Fi, Contemporary (1961), Black & Blue, and, in the 1990s, Concord.
With movie work, his trio jobs and his support for vocalists, Wiggins largely disappeared off the jazz radar in the 1950s and 60s, although his profile was raised when Jerry Fielding hired him with saxophonist Buddy Collette and bassist Red Callender to appear live on his TV show, something of a breakthrough for black musicians.
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| Humes & Wiggins at Nice 1978 |
Wiggins died on July 13, 2008, aged 86.
(Info edited mainly from All Music & Times On Line)