Gerry Gibbs’ album Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trio truly lives up to its name. Not only are bassist Ron Carter and pianist Kenny Barron on the bill, but all the musicians proffering stellar performances; making it known that each musician not only understands where the other is coming from, but also that each communicates with some kind of transcendent empathy. This is not a phenomenon that occurs in some of the songs, but in each of the fifteen charts featured on this album. Fifteen songs and there is seemingly not one repeated note or phrase, which is something to marvel at. And while creativity is at its highest—just look at who’s on the CD—the masterful control over what can be said and what must be said is complete. Never is anyone over the top with mere virtuosity, but each statement has deep and relevant meaning. For instance, Kenny Barron’s solo on Thelonious Monk’s classic chart “Epistrophy” is superbly crafted with the pianist building each phrase in his solo out of the root note of each of the changes, so it sounds quite magical and goes on to make a considerable edifice out of Mr. Monk’s tune. This is not only so of Mr. Barron; Ron Carter’s magnificent solo on McCoy Tyner’s chart, “When I Dream” is another example of sheer genius not just for the manner in which Mr. Carter develops it but also the sheer beauty with which the complex changes are handled.
Mr. Gibbs is a true revelation. To be able to sit in with such giants of music as Ron Carter and Kenny Barron and to play with such calm, and to bring off such masterly stick and brush work is awesome. Once again, “Epistrophy” is an outstanding example of Mr. Gibbs’ ability to negotiate complex and angular rhythms that were a staple of Mr. Monk’s writing. But that is not all; Gerry Gibbs is a most melodious drummer and that has nothing whatsoever to do with tuning. On the contrary Mr. Gibbs searches for absolute tone when he plays. This suggests that he has listened carefully to his Papa Jo Jones and his Max Roach assiduously. Moreover, Mr. Gibbs has the good fortune of a great foundation from the outset, listening to his father, the great vibraphone player Terry Gibbs. And the son does glorify the father sometimes, which is absolutely true in the case of the younger Mr. Gibbs. The drummer is a superb colourist. Listen to his almost brazen and bronzed brushwork on “The Shadow of Your Smile” and comparing that with the dewy autumnal hues of “Woman on the TV Screen” is something truly exquisite to the ear. Of course it is not just brushwork that sets this drummer apart. His stick work is outstanding as well. And then there is the ability to handle tempo without faltering, which is the hallmark of Mr. Gibbs’ performance on “Eye of the Hurricane,” “Sunshower,” “Here Comes Ron” and on the flawless “Impressions”. This is not to suggest anything less of the other charts, but space sometimes forbids detailed discussion; and a mere listing would be quite pointless.
It also bears mention that Mr. Gibbs did not simply score Kenny Barron and Ron Carter for the date; certainly not because he was his father’s son. His musicianship does speak for itself. And of course Mr. Carter and Mr. Barron perform with magical touch. In fact at times—especially on charts such as “Eye of the Hurricane” and the angular “Tell Me a Bedtime Story”—it almost sounds as if the duo were in a session with Miles Davis; such is the intensity and the perfection that they achieve. It comes from not only being on the top of their game, but it would be remiss not to say that these two men are what can only be termed as great musicians and it is their performances that make this album one of the finest of 2013, when it was released and certainly a memorable one for a lot more time to come.
Track List: Epistrophy; Promises, Promises; When I Dream; The Sandpiper: The Shadow of Your Smile; The Woman on the TV Screen; Eye of the Hurricane; Tell Me a Bedtime Story; A Feeling; Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing; Sunshower; Hear Comes Ron; Impressions; The Thrasher; Mr. Clean; The Theme.
Personnel: Gerry Gibbs: drums, Ron Carter: bass; Kenny Barron: piano.
Label: Whaling City Sound | Release date: October 2013
Website: gerrygibbsmusic.com | Buy music on: amazon
About Gerry Gibbs
GERRY GIBBS was born in New York City on January 15, 1964. His father is Jazz Vibraphone Legend & Band Leader TERRY GIBBS. Gerry grew up in Southern California and started playing the drums at the age of 4. By the time he was 7 years old, he had already appeared on a few Television shows. On ‘Steve Allen Show’ in 1971, Gerry played a 3 minute drum solo and later, on the show ‘To Tell The Truth’, he traded drum choruses with TV Celebrity BOB CRANE (who played “Hogan”on the hit TV show” Hogan’s Heroes’)…
