John Hyman, aka Johnny Wiggs, Part One

Jeff Barnhart: Hal my friend, you’ve chosen a musician I know little about, but whose work I’ve heard—and very much enjoyed in the past. Since he’s not a household name like some previous greats we’ve discussed, I hope you won’t mind if I start with a few questions? We’re taking a close look at cornetist Johnny Wiggs’ life and recorded work. I know he was born and died in New Orleans (1899-1977) but I’m intrigued that his first recordings were as leader of a group called John Hyman’s Bayou Stompers. It appears he is Mr. Hyman, so why the name change (one way or the other)? Was the family name Wiggs or Hyman? Hal Smith: Jeff, Johnny Wiggs was born John Wiggington Hyman. He took the “Johnny Wiggs” moniker later, when he wanted to separate his identity as a schoolteacher from that of a musician. Johnny Wiggs recalled the “bottle men” of New Orleans—with their toy horns—as an early influence. Apparently, there were some great lowdown blues players blowing into those tin horns! (Jelly Roll Morton also praised these blueblowers. They must have sounded amazing)! Wiggs also heard Joe “King” Oliver at dances in New Orleans in the teens and Oliver’s playing became a major inspiration. However, at the time of Johnny Wiggs’ first recordings, he had clearly been influenced by the music of Bix Beiderbecke and Red Nichols. It is apparent that the other mus