TEACHER
DRUMMER
PIANIST
COMPOSER
WORKSHOP LEADER
CURRENT DRUMMER FOR
NORWICH JAZZ CLUB HOUSE TRIO
BIOGRAPHY
BA (Hons), M Mus, (GSMD, MISM
Tom is a multi-award-winning musician and highly experienced teacher based in Colchester, Essex. With over 16 years of teaching experience, he has guided students of all ages and abilities, many of whom have gone on to study at top music conservatoires and establish professional careers in music.
Tom began his studies at Colchester Institute, specialising in classical piano and percussion, and graduated with a BA (Hons) in Music. During this time, he won several awards, including the Cannon Jack Piano Competition Trophy (2013), the Cyril Moles Duet Competition Trophy (2012 and 2013), and the Ensembles Competition Shield (2012).
In 2014, he continued his training at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London, graduating with a Master’s Degree in Jazz Percussion. His studies gave him the opportunity to work with internationally renowned musicians and professors such as Martin Hathaway, Trevor Tomkins, Malcolm Edmonstone, Malcolm Miles, Carlos Lopez-Real, Stuart Hall, Scott Stroman, Gareth Lockrane, Adriano Adewale, Barry Green, Robbie Robson, Kurt Elling, and Bobo Stenson.
Alongside his teaching, Tom maintains an active performing career. He has appeared at some of the UK’s most iconic jazz venues and is a member of the house trio at both the Norwich Jazz Club and Jazz at the Alex. His performance work has taken him across the UK and internationally, with tours in Germany, Italy France, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Portugal.
Tom has extensive experience delivering one-to-one instrumental tuition, with many of his students successfully gaining places at leading UK music conservatoires. Alongside individual lessons, he teaches group classes and directs small and large ensembles, including jazz bands, rock bands, orchestras, percussion workshops, and music technology sessions.
He works closely with Essex Music Services as both a teacher and workshop leader, and is actively involved with the Essex Youth Jazz Orchestra and Essex Junior Jazz. In addition, he conducts the Essex Youth Jazz Nonet, one of the three Essex youth Jazz Orchestras and the Essex Youth Rock Band, helping to inspire and develop the next generation of musicians.
Recognised as both a skilled drummer and pianist, Tom has also contributed to the wider music education community through consultancy work with music examination boards and by composing repertoire for graded percussion and drum exams.
MUSIC + VIDEO
Recorded March 2026; Sam Plackett (guitar), Tom Jiggins (drums) and Pete Whittaker (organ), captured several tracks. This is a project that explores the repertoire, feel and lineage of the great organ trios...a tribute project of sorts! Here we perform Mellow Mood by Jimmy Smith.
The Tom Jiggins Jazz Quintet play 'Fables of Faubus' composed by Charles Mingus - Performed Live at 'Jazz at Patch' 2025
Recorded March 2026; Sam Plackett (guitar), Tom Jiggins (drums) and Pete Whittaker (organ), captured several tracks. This is a project that explores the repertoire, feel and lineage of the great organ trios...a tribute project of sorts! Here we perform Whisper Not by Benny Golson, drawing inspiration from the 1960 Wes Montgomery Trio recording A Dynamic New Sound.
The Tom Jiggins Jazz Quintet play 'Goodbye Porkpie Hat' composed by Charles Mingus - Performed Live at 'Jazz at Patch' 2025
The Norwich Jazz Trio are the current house band for the Norwich Jazz Club and have played with many well known jazz musicians. Here is their version of What is this thing called love?
Jazz Big Band Demo Recording - 'Don't Stop Moving'
Arr. Dave Holland
Ft: Tom Jiggins - Drums
'2PLY' A duet collaboration during the 2020 lockdown between Malcolm Miles (Saxophone) and Tom Jiggins (Drums) - Recorded remotely
'Pick Yourself Up' A duet collaboration during the 2020 lockdown between Malcolm Miles (Electronic Ewi) and Tom Jiggins (Drums) - Recorded remotely
Album recorded by Malcolm Miles in 2020 at Punch Studios. This is the title track of the album 'The further you go, the less you know'
Malcolm Miles - Saxophone
Jack Monck - Bass
Tom Jiggins - Drums
Sam Plackett Organ Trio was Plackett's first ensemble as bandleader. The ensemble played several public performances at jazz venues around East-Anglia (UK) and many private events in and around London. They remained active between 2017 - 2020.
Sam Plackett - Guitar
Mike Gorman - Organ
Tom Jiggins - Drums
COMPOSITIONS AND ARRANGEMENTS
2014 - present
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'Heading Home' 2014 (Original Composition)
Premiere at Bocking Arts Theatre 2023 by Essex Youth Jazz Quintet
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'Unlucky For Some' 2015 (Original Composition)
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'Take the A train' - Billy Strayhorn (Arrangement for jazz ensemble) 2023 Recorded at Guildhall school of music and drama by the Guildhall big band
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'Times Tale' 2016 (Original Composition)
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'Use the Footwells' 2017 (Original Composition)
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'Somewhere Inbetween' 2018 (Original Composition)
Composed for Essex music Services. Academy East Jazz Ensemble
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'Set Break' 2024 (Original Composition)
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'2Ply' 2020 - Joint composition by Tom Jiggins & Malcolm Miles
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'Here comes the sun' - The Beatles (Arrangement for jazz ensemble) 2022 + re-working of arrangement for large jazz ensemble (EYJO) 2025
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'Waltz for Debby' - Bill Evans (Arrangement for jazz ensemble) 2023
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'Two Nordic Melodies' - Edward Greig (Arrangement for jazz ensemble) 2023
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'Skylark' - Hoagy Carmichael (Arrangement for jazz ensemble) 2023
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'Waltz for Debby' - Bill Evans (Arrangement for jazz ensemble) 2024
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'A Hard Days Night' - The Beatles (Arrangement for jazz ensemble) 2024
TRANSCRIPTIONS FOR JAZZ ENSEMBLE
(Notated and scored from original recordings)
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'Union Special' - Chris Mcgregors Brotherhood of Breath - (Transcribed flexi chart for jazz ensemble)
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'Angel Nemali' - Chris Mcgregors Brotherhood of Breath - (Transcribed flexi chart for jazz ensemble)
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'Funky Boots March - Chris Mcgregors Brotherhood of Breath - (Transcribed flexi chart for jazz ensemble)
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'Spirit Monitor' - Frank Lacy - (Transcribed flexi chart for jazz ensemble)
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'E's flat, Ah's flat too' Charles Mingus - (Transcribed flexi chart for jazz ensemble)
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'Jelly Roll' - Charles Mingus - (Transcribed flexi chart for jazz ensemble from Frank Lacy, Mingus sings)
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'Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting - Charles Mingus (Transcribed flexi chart for jazz ensemble)
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'Gunslinging Bird' - Charles Mingus - (Transcribed flexi chart for jazz ensemble)
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'Better get it in your soul' - Charles Mingus - (Transcribed for the Tom Jiggins Quintet)
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'Pedal Point Blues' - Charles Mingus - (Transcribed for the Tom Jiggins Quintet)
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'Goodbye Porkpie Hat' - Charles Mingus - (Transcribed for the Tom Jiggins Quintet)
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'Fables of Faubus' - Charles Mingus - (Transcribed for the Tom Jiggins Quintet)
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'Jelly Roll - Charles Mingus - (Transcribed for the Tom Jiggins Quintet)
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'Dakota' - Mathius Eick - (Transcribed flexi chart for jazz ensemble)
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'Hippest Cat in Hollywood' - Horace Silver - (Transcribed flexi chart for jazz ensemble)
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'Mamacita' - Horace Silver - (Transcribed flexi chart for jazz ensemble)
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'The Tokyo Blues' - Horace Silver - (Transcribed flexi chart for jazz ensemble)
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A tune for Richard - Horace Parlan - (Transcribed flexi chart for jazz ensemble)
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Bechet's Fantasy - Wynton Marsalis live version - (Transcribed flexi chart for jazz ensemble)
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'Little Birdie' - Vince Guaraldi - (Transcribed flexi chart for jazz ensemble from 'Joes cool blues' - Wynton Marsalis)
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'Linus and Lucy' - Vince Guaraldi - (Transcribed flexi chart for jazz ensemble from 'Joes cool blues' - Wynton Marsalis)
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'A Sack o woe' - Cannonball Adderley - (Transcribed flexi chart for jazz ensemble)
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'Space Captain - Herbie Hancock - The Imagine project - (Transcribed flexi chart for jazz ensemble)
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'1960 what?' - Gregory Porter - (Transcribed flexi chart for jazz ensemble)
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'Bechet's Fantasy' - Sidney Bechet - (Transcribed flexi chart for jazz ensemble)
