Terry Gibbs Reviewed in July issue of the Los Angeles Jazz Scene

Terry Gibbs Reviewed in July issue of the Los Angeles Jazz Scene

Jul 7, 2023

 

Terry Gibbs, who turns 99 next October 13, has had quite a remarkable career. One of the greatest vibraphonists of all time, Gibbs was a professional by the age of 12 (back in 1936). He became famous as a member of Woody Herman’s Second Herd, worked with Buddy Rich, Chubby Jackson and the Benny Goodman Sextet, mastered bebop, and was a bandleader throughout much of his career. Gibbs led his orchestra, The Dream Band, during the late 1950s and early ‘60s, headed the regular group on the Steve Allen Show in the 1960s, and had a quintet with clarinetist Buddy DeFranco. His memoirs, Good Vibes, is both quite informative and often hilarious. Gibbs was active into his early nineties before deciding to retire.

The Terry Gibbs Songbook is a special final musical project in Gibbs’ career. There is one major error in the liner notes that needs to be corrected. It is stated that because Gibbs helps out with the singing and plays some two-handed piano on the humorous and nostalgic “Now’s The Time To Groove,” he is the first musician to record in eight decades. Actually Benny Carter recorded in nine; however Terry Gibbs still has the record. In addition to recording commercially in nine decades (starting in 1946), if one counts a radio show on which Gibbs in the 1930s played some classical music (tapes still exist and briefly appeared on You Tube), he is the only musician ever to have recorded in ten decades!

While Gibbs occasionally wrote songs that he recorded as instrumentals through the years, this project is a bit different. 15 of the great vibraphonist’s compositions have been given lyrics and are sung by Danny Bacher, a fine jazz vocalist who could have fit in well with jazz groups in the 1950s. Eight of the numbers have words by Michael Dees while the other collaborators were lyricists Arthur Hamilton, Bobby Troup, Steve Allen, and Jerry Gladstone with two of the songs having lyrics by Gibbs himself.

Terry Gibbs’ music has always swung and this set is certainly no exception. He gathered together pianist Tom Ranier (also heard a bit on tenor), bassist Mike Gurrola, and his son drummer Gerry Gibbs, and was able to easily talk the two great swing tenors Scott Hamilton and Harry Allen into joining the group. While each song has a Bacher vocal, there is a lot of solo space for the tenors and Ranier. The tunes range from love songs (including the touching “I Was Loved”) and wistful memories of his life to plenty of joyful swing. Such titles as “I Can Hardly Wait For Saturday Night,” “Play And Sing,” “And That’s Why They Call It The Blues,” “Stay With Me Tonight” (which during its closing part includes some Terry Gibbs vibes from decades ago), and the jazz waltz “Say Goodbye” are among the many rewarding songs on this set that could become standards in the future if heard by enough singers and instrumentalists.

Terry Gibbs has said on numerous occasions that this is his last recording. Hopefully when he turns 100, he will change his mind and do this again! In the meantime, be sure to pick up a copy of The Terry Gibbs Songbook which is available from www.whalingcitysound.com and www.amazon.com.

                                          Scott Yanow

Click here to purchase “The Terry Gibbs Songbook”

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7.9.23 4pm John Stein Trio 🎸 Music in the Barn, Tiverton

7.9.23 4pm John Stein Trio 🎸 Music in the Barn, Tiverton

Jul 3, 2023

Sunday, July 9, 2023, 4pm:  We are happy to welcome back the John Stein Trio. Tiverton resident John Stein is a highly accomplished guitarist and retired member of the faculty at Berklee College of Music. He has many albums to his credit as both a leader and sideman with some of the world’s most renowned jazz acts. John has published several books on composition, a book of solo guitar arrangements published by Berklee, and numerous articles for jazz magazines.

International touring and recording artist, John is pleased to present longtime collaborators Mike Connors and Ed Lucie, his partners on both the 2021 album, “Serendipity,” and a new recording that is being prepared for release in September. The new album, titled “No Goodbyes,” features nine of John’s compositions along with songs by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Steve Swallow.

Their skill, emotional expressiveness, and fluency as a trio are affecting and memorable: an interactive, conversational, and accessible musical experience

JAZZQUAD reviews Terry Gibbs Legacy Band – “The Terry Gibbs Songbook”

JAZZQUAD reviews Terry Gibbs Legacy Band – “The Terry Gibbs Songbook”

Jun 23, 2023

Terry Gibbs is a unique figure in jazz. Try naming another currently living musician who has played with Gillespie and Parker, Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman, Coleman Hawkins and Roy Eldridge, Woody Herman and Ray Brown, Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald, Sonny Rollins and Lester Young, Duke Ellington and Count Basie – the list goes on and on: Terry Gibbs has played with them ALL!

Terry, whose real name is Julius Gubenko, was born on October 13, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York, to Aba Gubenko, a music teacher and leader of his own small ensemble that played at various Jewish family celebrations. During the war years, Gibbs served in one of the military orchestras, and afterward, he became a regular at the New York clubs on 52nd Street, the Mecca of bebop. Interestingly, Terry was one of the first vibraphonists to play in this style. Over his long career, he has recorded over 80 albums, composed over 300 compositions, and received numerous prestigious awards.
At the age of 90, Terry decided to retire. But that’s what it seemed like! In April 2016, Jerry “Thrasher” Gibbs, a well-known drummer, including to our readers, and Terry’s son, set up a studio right in his father’s house. He assembled a strong team of musicians and, with the blessing of Whaling City Sound’s chief, Neal Weiss, recorded the album “92 Years Young: Jammin’ at the Gibbs House” with Terry on the vibraphone. The album was released in 2017, created a sensation, and served as a worthy final chord of his long career. But again, it only seemed like it! The fire has not yet burned out!
As Terry himself writes in the liner notes of the presented album, shortly after the recording of “92 Years Young,” he composed a new melody. Negotiations followed with potential lyricists, with Neil Weiss and other interested parties. On December 27, 2022, the new album “The Terry Gibbs Songbook” was recorded, featuring 15 personally selected Terry compositions. Of course, Jerry, his son, participated in the recording, as did bassist Mike Gurrola, who also played on “92 Years Young.” Vocalist Danny Bacher was invited, and all arrangements were made by pianist and tenor saxophonist Tom Ranier. Terry envisioned a three-tenor saxophone section, as a reincarnation of Woody Herman’s orchestra section, where three of Lester Young’s students played: Zoot Sims, Stan Getz, and Al Cohn. As a result, Scott Hamilton and Harry Allen, renowned saxophone experts, joined Ranier. Terry Gibbs himself abandoned the mallets and participated in the recording as a pianist and vocalist(!). What can be said about the album? Great compositions, great musicians, exemplary mainstream jazz. It is evident to everyone that we shouldn’t expect exceptional virtuosity from the 98-year-old Terry, but the fact of his participation alone is priceless. For me, the most emotional moment of the album is the vocal dialogue between Terry and Danny Bacher in the composition “Now’s the Time to Groove.” It must be heard. And Terry Gibbs concludes his liner notes for the album with the following statement: “Listening to this CD, I, at the age of 98, am happy and proud, knowing that this is undoubtedly my last work in music but feeling like a winner.” Terry didn’t put an exclamation mark at the end of this sentence. I would like to do it for him!
Terry Gibbs’ latest release “The Terry Gibbs Songbook” is “top notch”

🎺🎵 Exciting News! 🎵🎺

Jun 20, 2023

Terry Gibbs, at the remarkable age of nearly 99 years, holds a remarkable distinction in the jazz world. Jazz journalist Scott Yanow adds, “The only musician ever (if one counts a radio broadcast from the 1930s) to record in ten decades!”
He proudly claims the title of being the only jazz musician to have recorded a CD at this age! 🎉🎶 Just imagine the wealth of experience, talent, and sheer dedication that shines through his music.
With Terry’s unmatched passion for jazz, he continues to break boundaries and inspire generations of musicians and jazz enthusiasts worldwide. His music resonates with a timeless quality that transcends age and showcases the enduring spirit of the genre.
As we embark on this exciting journey of promoting Terry Gibbs’ extraordinary musical legacy, I can’t help but reflect on the monumental impact he has made in the jazz community. His unparalleled dedication to his craft and his incredible talent are truly awe-inspiring. 🌟
Let’s join forces to celebrate Terry Gibbs, this living legend, and share his music with the world! Stay tuned for updates, interviews, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content as we embark on this fantastic endeavor together. 🎷🎹

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