Chuck Riggs

b. Charles Riggs, 5 August 1951, Westerly, Rhode Island, USA. Although essentially a self-taught drummer, Riggs did study briefly at music school in his home state. Early in the 70s, he began a long-term association with Scott Hamilton and from midway through the decade was based in New York, largely at the urging of Roy Eldridge. Before the 70s were out he had established his credentials through performances with Hamilton, Bob Wilber and Benny Goodman. His mainstream orientation continued through the 80s when he played with Ruby Braff, Kenny Davern, Keith Ingham, trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso, Flip Phillips, Dick Wellstood, and more spells with Wilber and Hamilton. In the latter’s quartet he enjoyed similarly long-term associations with John Bunch, bass player Phil Flanigan and guitarist Chris Flory. Riggs has also played and recorded with the Concord All Stars, the house band of Concord Records. Similar associations continued through the 90s with his quarter-century-plus stint with Hamilton still forming the core of his career. A thoughtful, listening drummer, Riggs plays with subtlety and swing as can be heard on pretty nearly any of his many albums with Hamilton.