Michael Gibbs (composer)
Michael Clement Irving Gibbs (born September 25, 1937) is a Rhodesian-born English jazz composer, conductor, arranger and producer as well as a trombonist and keyboardist.
He is known for collaborations with vibraphonist Gary Burton, his student, and for his use of rock elements in orchestral jazz.
Contents
Career[edit]
After recording with Graham Collier, John Dankworth, Kenny Wheeler and Mike Westbrook in the late 1960s, Gibbs released his first album, Michael Gibbs, in 1970.
From 1970 to 1974 Gibbs was musical director for the BBC TV comedy programme The Goodies. When he left the UK to take up a teaching position at Berklee, the musical director post was filled by Dave MacRae, a member of the band Gibbs had led in recording funk rock music for the show.
On 2nd October 2017 Gibbs was presented with a BASCA Gold Badge Award[1] in recognition of his unique contribution to music.
Selected discography[edit]
Albums as leader/co-leader[edit]
- Michael Gibbs (1970, Deram)
- Tanglewood 63 (1971, Deram)
- Just Ahead (1972, Polydor)
- In The Public Interest (1974, Polydor)
- Seven Songs for Quartet and Chamber Orchestra (1974, ECM)
- The Only Chrome Waterfall Orchestra (1975, Bronze)
- Big Music (1988, Venture/Virgin)
- By The Way (1993, ah um)
- Europeana (1995, ACT)
- Nonsequence (2001, Provocateur)
- A Song For You with Norma Winstone, Mark Mondesir and The NDR Big Band (2011, Fuzzy Moon Records)
- Mike Gibbs + 12 play Gil Evans (2013, Whirlwind Recordings)
- Back In The Days (2012) with The NDR Big Band[2][3]
Scores[edit]
- Secrets (1971)
- Madame Sin (1972)
- Intimate Reflections (1975)
- Housekeeping (1987, Varèse Sarabande/MCA)
- Iron & Silk (1990, The Fine Line/Mute)
- Close My Eyes (1991)
- Century (1993)
- Hard-Boiled (1993, The Fine Line/Mute)
- Being Human (1993, Varèse Sarabande/MCA)
- Century/Close My Eyes (1994, The Fine Line/Mute)
As sideman[edit]
With Barry Guy/The London Jazz Composers' Orchestra
- Ode (Incus, 1972)
With Graham Collier
- Deep Dark Blue Centre (Deram, 1967)
With Eberhard Weber
- Hommage à Eberhard Weber (ECM, 2015) - arranger and conductor
References[edit]
- ^ https://www.m-magazine.co.uk/news/gold-badge-awards-2017-celebrates-british-jazz/
- ^ Weideman, Paul. "MIKE GIBBS + TWELVE "Play Gil Evans (Whirlwind)". Sante Fe New Mexican. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
- ^ Fordham, John. "Mike Gibbs + Twelve: Play Gil Evans – review". The Guardian (UK). Retrieved 21 March 2014.
External links[edit]
- Mike Gibbs Official Site for Compositions and Arrangements
- Discography
- Goodies Podcast - audio interview with Mike Gibbs recorded 6 March 2010.
- Interview for Cheltenham Jazz Festival, 9 April 2013.
- British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors
- Rhodesian people of British descent
- White Rhodesian people
- Zimbabwean emigrants to the United Kingdom
- Rhodesian composers
- Jazz composers
- 1937 births
- Living people
- Mute Records artists
- Polydor Records artists
- Virgin Records artists
- People from Harare
- Blast First artists
- Bronze Records artists
- ACT Music artists
- African composers
