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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZGIBBS, Terry(b Julius Gubenko, 13 October 1924, Brooklyn NJ) Vibes, also drums. He won a Major Bowes amateur contest at twelve, turned pro on drums, served in WWII, worked for Tommy Dorsey, Chubby Jackson, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman late '40s, with Charlie Shavers/Louie Bellson, then Benny Goodman small groups; formed his own groups. He was seen as the only vibist in bop (with Milt Jackson), succeeding Lionel Hampton on the instrument; in fact he was closer in style to Hampton than Jackson: with roots in the swing era he was a popular mainstream artist. First records as leader on Prestige '49, on Savoy '51, Brunswick '52-4, adding brass and reeds '54, five reeds on EmArcy '55 arranged by Manny Albam, on EmArcy '58 arranged by Pete Rugolo. He continued with small groups but also led highly rated big bands, with 19 pieces on EmArcy '56, on Mercury '59, plus Live At The Summit '61 and another LP from the Summit Club '62 on Verve. The band had a West Coast Kenton flavour but was closer to Herman in its devotion to swing: excellent previously unreleased two volumes of the '59 Dream Band issued on Contemporary '87 with Conte Candoli, Bill Perkins, Mel Lewis, others, arranged by Bill Holman, Al Cohn, Manny Albam, Lennie Niehaus, Med Flory (later formed Supersax). Later small-group LPs included quartets The Family Album, later called February 19th 1963 on Jazz Vault UK, Take It From Me '64 (latter with Kenny Burrell, Sam Jones, Louis Hayes); LP on Limelight '63, on Dot '65-6; he became more involved with studio work as music director on TV shows (e.g. Steve Allen) and did not record for more than ten years. Rare LPs on obscure or Japanese labels since '78, then Jazz Party -- First Time Together on Palo Alto with Buddy DeFranco, The Latin Connection '86 and live Chicago Fire '87 co-led by DeFranco, both on Contemporary; Play That Song '94 on Chiaroscuro was a quartet recorded at sea with son Gerry on drums. Gerry's The Thrasher '95 on Qwest was his debut as a leader, the sextet included Joe Locke and Ravi Coltrane. His autobiography Good Vibes: A Life In Jazz 2003, with Cary Ginell, is a delightful book; Gibbs is one of the best storytellers in jazz. |