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Phil Wiggins R.I.P.

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jed:
After entering hospice on Monday, Phil Wiggins departed us Tuesday morning after a long battle with cancer.  Wednesday was his 70th birthday.

Phil was about as kind and gentle a person as you could hope to meet.  His playing combined teamwork with a virtuosity all his own.  Many of us here knew him, learned from him and jammed with him.  Some of us enjoyed his salmon - and his famous all-day, Midnight Special barbecue!  All of us bathe in the light of his goodness, generosity and grace.

Judy has been keeping us up-to-date on Phil's GoFundMe page, where Martha posted today's notice:   

https://www.gofundme.com/f/team-love-for-phil-wiggins

As well, the NEA has published their obituary:  https://www.arts.gov/news/press-releases/2024/national-endowment-arts-statement-death-national-heritage-fellow-phil-wiggins

I'm going to miss Phil greatly, even though I knew him only through camp.  And that was a good place to know him. 

lindy:
Several good ways to honor him, one is to play a song that you associate with him (and John Cephas), another is to read "Sweet Bitter Blues," by Phil W and Frank Matheis. It's essentially an "as told to" book, with Phil talking about his life, travels, music, and the Washington D.C. blues community that nurtured him. Long-time Port Townsend workshop participants will appreciate reading about many of the instructors we've met over the years.

A kind and generous man. Wish I had taken up the harmonica so I could have spent more PT time with him.

As Martha wrote in her announcement, "It is not lost on us that his impacts extend far and wide, we are very fortunate for that. So in his memory, love on each other, play music and share good food, laughter and folklore. That's what he would want."

Lindy

Mike Billo:
A terrible loss. I loved his playing

banjochris:
Was very sorry to hear this – only met him the one time up at PT but I'm very glad I did!

lindy:
I posted this vid on Weenie years ago, I think under the circumstances it's worth re-posting, it really shows Phil's brilliance as a musician.

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