Gerry Wiggins discusses his time in New York

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Gerry Wiggins discusses his start with jazz and blues

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Gerry Wiggins discusses his time after the army

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Q: “How did you fall into the world of jazz and blues?”

A: “I could not make any money playing classics. I was no child prodigy or anything. I was just, you know ... I just got to the classics. I enjoyed them, but I saw I wasn't going anywhere there. I think you had to be pretty dedicated. And although I love the classics, it's too much of the same thing. Every piece you play, everybody else plays it the same way with the same note, you know, and the only difference if you're loud or soft or your interpretation to the tune and that doesn't say very much. It doesn't give you a chance to expand or if anything comes in your mind, you can't play it yet. Just stick to the notes. So I got away from that.”