Anthony Wiggins on the mend; benefits set for March 7 & 13

Trumpet player and jazz educator Anthony Wiggins, who was hospitalized earlier this month after suffering a brain aneurysm, is on the mend. The good news comes via Wiggins' Jazz St. Louis colleague Phil Dunlap, who stopped by St. Louis University Hospital for a visit on Tuesday evening. "He is out of the ICU and in good spirits," said Dunlap via email. "He is already talking about his return to playing. Obviously, rehabilitation may take awhile, but he is expected to make a full recovery."

In related news, Wiggins ' friends and colleagues have organized a couple of benefits in March to raise funds for the trumpeter and his family. The first event will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, March 7 at BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups. Scheduled performers include Par 3, Arvell Keithley, Good 4 the Soul, Mystic Voyage, and J-Rob. A minimum $10 donation will be requested at the door. Also, any musicians who'd like to donate their time to perform may contact Brock Walker via email at mrbrock1 (at) aol (dot) com.

The second benefit performance at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 13 at the Metropolitan Gallery will take the place of a gig that Wiggins originally was supposed to play for the Nu-Art Series' jazz composers concerts. George Sams of the Nu-Art Series tells StLJN that guitarist Chris Burchett will perform in Wiggins' stead, with all proceeds from the show going to the Wiggins family. For more information, call 314-535-6500, send email to nu-artseries@charter.net, or visit the Nu-Art Series website.

UPDATE - 5:00 p.m., 3/10/10: While Burchett will indeed be subbing for Wiggins on Saturday, March 13, playing the music of Freddie Hubbard as well as his own, efforts to organize the show as a benefit for the Wiggins family apparently have fallen through.