Eddie Liggins

Pianist Edward Franklin Liggins was born on 22 April 1903 in Berkeley.  In the 1920 Census he is recorded as ‘Musician. Gymnasium.’  The earliest references to him as a bandleader I have found are in the Western American 29 October 1926 (Eddie Liggins and his Knights of Syncopation) and the participation of his Peninsula Knights in a competition of jazz bands in 1927 (San Francisco Chronicle 8 and 9 February 1927).  In the 1930 Census he is listed as ‘Musician, Boat.’  In May 1933 he appeared in a band combining members of Allen’s Hot Chocolates and the Rhythm Ramblers (San Francisco Spokesman 4 May 1933 p.2) but I don’t know which band he was with.  The same paper (30 November 1933 p. 2) reported that “Eddie Liggens (sic), Oakland’s handsome ivory tickler’ had been with the Hollywood Jungle cafe band but now has a group at a cafe in East Oakland.  By September 1934 ‘Eddie Liggins and his Orchestra, Billie Davis and Percy Bost’ were providing the entertainment at the So Different Cafe on Ellis Street at Fillmore (Spokesman 20 Septmber 1934 p. 3).  The same page also said that ‘Al Leavey (sic) and his guitar are at the So Different Club . . . with Eddie Liggins dishing up those low down blues.’  They were still there in early October (Spokesman 4 October 1934 p. 3).  After that I have found nothing until 1939 when the San Francisco Examiner 18 and 20 1939 carried an ad from Percy Bost and Eddie Liggins ‘Formerly of Topsy’s Roost’ (1) looking for engagements.  On September 12 1940 the Contra Costa Gazette advertised Harold Garrett and His Gold Coast Recording Orchestra With . . . . Eddie Liggins . . at the Aloha Club in Martinez, and on 24 October and 7 November advertised at the same venue ‘Eddie Liggins and his So Different Swing Band.’  He continued in music up to 1960 and died on 27 March 1995.

(1) Earl Watkins (Potrero View October 2004 p. 8) mentions ‘Eddie Liggins on piano and Eddie Alley on drums’ playing during intermissions at Topsy’s Roost.