Taking inspiration from luminaries such as Kurt Elling, Christian Wiggs is a vocalist, bandleader, lyricist, and producer based in Austin, TX.
From an early age, Christian was heavily involved in musical theatre, where he first became familiar with standards and the Great American Songbook. By the age of 17, Wiggs began performing frequently in and around Houston, including engagements opening for Tony DeSare and the Houston Symphony Orchestra.
While pursuing a music degree at Texas State University, Wiggs continued to refine his interpretation and style and made his way into the Austin jazz scene. Wiggs has released three studio albums and serves as the host and producer of “Off The Bandstand”, a series of conversations with local and national jazz musicians.
Christian has shared the stage with acclaimed musicians such as Andre Hayward, Mike Sailors, Ron Wilkins, John Mills, Kate Kortum, Robert Ellis, David Young, and Utah Hamrick.
——
Bandleader and composer Steven Feifke has been recognized by GRAMMY.com as one of six big band composers pushing the format forwards and heralded a “masterful pianist” by JAZZIZ Magazine. A two-time semi-finalist in the Thelonious Monk Jazz Piano Competition, Feifke has been featured on stages around the world, having toured across Europe, Africa and Asia and has an extensive discography of over 30 albums.
Feifke is an internationally recognized arranger and orchestrator, and has written commissioned works for notables like the Manhattan School of Music Jazz Orchestra featuring Sean Jones and John Faddis, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra with Ken Peplowski, the Malmo Big Band with Katie Thiroux, and the New Generation Festival with Orchestra Senzaspine and Dominick Farinacci. He is the recipient of the 2020 David Baker Prize in composition from the Ravinia Festival and serves as musical director for the Tony Award Winning actor and singer Santino Fontana.
Feifke’s compositions and orchestrations have been prominently featured on such hit TV shows as Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee on Netflix, Impractical Jokers on TruTV, Animaniacs on Hulu, and Solo. His 2020 big band album “KINETIC” marks Feifke’s studio big band debut.
Feifke is a member of the faculty at The New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music, and has appeared as a guest lecturer/artist at New York University, Yale University, Williams College, Moravian College, Northern Illinois University, and more. Feifke is the Co-Founder of A Step Ahead Jazz, alongside alto saxophonist Alexa Tarantino. Feifke holds a Bachelor's Degree from New York University and a Master’s Degree from the Manhattan School of Music, where he studied with true luminaries of composition and orchestration, Gil Goldstein and Jim McNeely.
——
TWO SEPARATE SHOWS:
Saturday, February 26th, 7:30pm (will NOT be livestreamed)
Sunday, February 27th, 7:30pm (WILL be livestreamed)
——
Tickets for Night 1 at cwbb-feifke-night-1-feb-26th-tickets.eventbrite.com
Tickets for Night 2 at cwbb-feifke-night-2-feb-27th-tickets.eventbrite.com
Watch in HD at youtu.be/m5FIxP2pvZs
——
Christian Wiggs - Vocals
Steven Feifke - Piano
Dan Foose - Bass
Fabio Augustinis - Drums
Matthew Maldonado - Alto Saxophone
Greg Wilson - Alto Saxophone
John Mills - Tenor Saxophone
Elias Haslanger - Tenor Saxophone
Paul Baker - Baritone Saxophone (2/26)
Eric Hargett - Baritone Saxophone (2/27)
Ron Wilkins - Trombone
Andre Hayward - Trombone
Leo Gauna - Trombone
Becca Patterson - Trombone
Max Darche - Trumpet
John Lake - Trumpet
Mike Sailors - Trumpet
——
About Bandstand Presents:
Evolving from a single quarantine project (“Off The Bandstand”), Bandstand Presents is an Austin-based production company, committed to the inclusivity, visibility, and collaboration of jazz scenes across the nation.
Founded by vocalist, bandleader, lyricist and producer, Christian Wiggs, and producer Kirk Word, Bandstand highlights not only the brilliant talents and contributions of these jazz musicians, but celebrates the personalities that are integral to the art they create.
In Fall of 2021, Bandstand Presents began producing its residency series featuring guest artists from Austin and beyond in episodes of “Off The Bandstand”, special live performances at Monks Jazz and Elephant Room, and guest collaboration with the Christian Wiggs Big Band.
As educational and musical investment are paramount, Bandstand Presents has facilitated partnerships with developmental institutions such as Texas State University and the Women in Jazz Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Pamela and Kevin Hart.
Previous guests have included Bryan Carter, Mathis Picard, Dan Chmielinski, Tatiana Mayfield, Aubrey Logan, Kate Kortum, & Benny Benack.
