Preserving Jazz History: Terry Gibbs’ Lost Tapes for his 100th Birthday

Preserving Jazz History: Terry Gibbs’ Lost Tapes for his 100th Birthday

Support the unveiling of a previously hidden gem in jazz history! We’re thrilled to introduce “1959: Vol 7: The Lost Tapes” by Terry Gibbs’ Dream Band, a long-lost recording capturing the magic of vibraphonist Terry Gibbs and his legendary big band. This remarkable album showcases Gibbs’ unparalleled talent as both a vibraphonist and bandleader, alongside a roster of jazz virtuosos who shaped the landscape of the late 50’s Los Angeles jazz scene. Despite its historical significance, this treasure remained undiscovered for decades until now.

Your contribution will assist in mixing and mastering for optimal sound quality, crafting captivating album artwork and packaging, producing physical copies for wider accessibility, distributing the recording across various platforms, and amplifying awareness through PR, advertising, and outreach efforts.

By supporting this endeavor, you’re not just funding a musical project; you’re also helping to safeguard an essential piece of jazz history and paying homage to the enduring legacy of Terry Gibbs. Join us in celebrating his timeless brilliance and introducing his music to new generations of listeners. Terry Gibbs, at nearly a century old, is not slowing down. He’s produced this remarkable new live CD with his six-time Grammy-nominated big band. “1959: The Lost Tapes, Vol. 7” consists of previously undiscovered tracks from the same sessions as the band’s previous recordings, capturing the band at their peak performance. Engineered by the legendary Wally Heider, these recordings from March and November of 1959 boast exceptional quality that transcends time.

The Terry Gibbs Dream Band was a beacon of innovation in the L.A. and national big band scene, performing jazz standards, big band classics, and unreleased numbers. Featuring original charts by renowned arrangers Al Cohn, Bob Brookmeyer, Marty Paich, Med Flory, and the recently deceased Bill Holman (the last band member alive except for Terry), this ensemble set the stage for the adventurous big bands of the 1960s. Join us in honoring this influential legacy and allowing others to experience the magic of Terry Gibbs’ Dream Band.

Throughout Terry’s illustrious career, he collaborated with many renowned artists, contributing to over 80 albums. Some of the notable musicians he worked with include Tommy Dorsey, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Benny Goodman, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Buddy DeFranco, Bud Powell, Louie Bellson, Art Blakey, Coleman Hawkins, Roy Eldridge, Marian McPartland, Alice Coltrane, Terry Pollard, Clark Terry, James Moody, Ray Brown, Nicholas Payton, Joey DeFrancesco, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Burt Bacharach, Lou Rawls, Barry Manilow, Rod Stewart, Phil Spector, Teddy Wilson, Gene Ammons, Sonny Stitt, Barry Harris, Jimmy Heath, Hank Jones, Elvin Jones, Mel Lewis, Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Lester Young, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Tito Puente, Lionel Hampton, Gary Burton, Red Norvo, Ray Charles, Carmen McRae, Jimmy Witherspoon, Eartha Kitt, Lalo Schifrin, Joe Williams, Jimmy Smith, Thad Jones, Tommy Flanagan, Oscar Pettiford, Charlie Shavers, Dexter Gordon, Chick Corea, Sonny Rollins, Kenny Burrell, Oscar Peterson, Erroll Garner, Hal Blaine, Earl Palmer, Kim Keltner, and Don Shirley.

Terry Gibbs Facebook Q&A

Fred Farell/WCS

Fred Farell/WCS

Reviewed by Kev Rowland

“Listening to Farell is like stepping back in Time, to mid-20th Century America, when Jazz and Romance were popular. His Sounscapes are like Odes to Love…Farell’s “Distant Song” provides enough soothing sounds for listeners to ponder the Human condition…He is joined by Dave Liebman on soprano & tenor Saxophones, and by Richie Beirach on acoustic Piano.” 
          “I give Fred, and his fellow master (musicians) an energy quotient rating of 4.99 for this CD.…One of the strongest Jazz Vocal performances I’ve listened to              yet in 2018.”
“…FARELL is the real deal in terms of Sincerity, his voice speaks authority as does the tender Truth expressed in his Lyrics…and musical arrangements…A performance that regularly stops you…in your tracks…”
“The mood of the Program is dark blue, solemn, and well matched to Fred’s Baritone, and the accompanying Instrumentation…with Farell writing all the Lyrics.”

“Fred Farell’s new CD is rewarding on several levels…”

“Fred Farell’s new CD is rewarding on several levels. His lyrics for the songs of Dave Liebman and Richie Beirach show that the instrumental pieces are surprisingly singable, adding to the jazz vocal repertoire. His singing is warm, quietly expressive, and really gets into the messages of the songs. And the playing of Liebman and Beirach is as creative as ever. Their fans will find much to enjoy on this rewarding set.”

Scott Yanow, Jazz journalist/Historian and Author of “The Jazz Singers”

Vocalist Fred Farell’s latest project Distant Song captures the music of Liebman and Beirach beautifully. Farell didn’t merely copy Liebman’s and Beirach’s compositions, he added sublime lyrics and a magically ethereal vocal style.

Devon Wendell, L.A. Jazz Scene

 

FRED FARELL began singing professionally during his military service in the USA, and Europe in 1967. His musical training includes: jazz vocal improvisation with pianist-composer and educator Richard Beirach; Private voice studies with Cynthia Hoffman, Richard Dorr, and Larry Chelsi; and music courses taken at The City College of New York; at which time he enrolled in Jazz studies taught by Jazz songstress and educator Sheila Jordan. His first appearances as a solo artist and group leader in New York, were at Loft galleries, and Jazz clubs during the 1970’s and early 1980’s; including return engagements at Sweet Basil, and Greene Street; during which time he was
an artist-member of Cobi Narita’s Universal Jazz Coalition. As a featured soloist, as well as an ensemble singer, Mr. Farell has performed at Avery Fisher Hall, The Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Kitchen, WBAI Radio, The Museum of Modern Art, and Symphony Space, with such jazz masters and artists as the late saxophonist Dexter Gordon; Pianists: Barry Harris, the late Albert Dailey, and Kenny Barron; Bassists: the late Herman Wright, Rufus Reid and Ratso Harris; Female Vocal Artist-educator Jay Clayton (The Voice Group); and Natural Sound Composer-pianist Kirk Nurock. In the creative expression of Jazz used to present the Gospel message, the singer has been a featured soloist with the Don Hanson Ensemble, led by the saxophonist-composer; has appeared on the Queens Public Cable TV Network; and is currently co-leader of the Gospel Jazz group “JazzLite”. In this group setting, Mr. Farell ministers with his gospel lyrics for original compositions, and Jazz standards, and features Pianists Jeff Kruh, and Joel Weiskopf in varying instrumental formats, depending upon the venues entered.

Richard Beirach, Dave Liebman, Frederick Farell, Red Rock Recording Studios, June 11, 2015. David W. Coulter Photography

Image from HighResAudio.

 

 

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