Terry Gibbs, the vibraphonist and first-generation bebopper approaching his 100th birthday, continues to delight jazz fans with Terry Gibbs Dream Band, Vol. 7: The Lost Tapes, 1959 on Whaling City Sound, with a digital release on November 8. This newly discovered collection captures Gibbs leading his legendary 16-piece Dream Band at two Hollywood nightclubs in 1959, featuring 18 tracks of exceptional swing and bebop performed by some of the era’s finest soloists and arrangers.
The tapes were uncovered earlier this year when Gibbs stumbled upon a file labeled “1959 Jazz Party” on his son Gerry Gibbs’s computer. The recordings, originally captured during performances at the Seville and Sundown clubs on the Sunset Strip, showcase a repertoire arranged by luminaries such as Bob Brookmeyer, Al Cohn, Marty Paich, Med Flory, and Bill Holman. Each arrangement balances ensemble precision with opportunities for solo brilliance.
Trumpeter Conte Candoli delivers fiery solos on “Bright Eyes” and “Moonglow,” trombonist Carl Fontana impresses on “Let’s Dance,” and drummer Mel Lewis demonstrates his trademark subtle power on “No Heat.” Gibbs himself illuminates the collection with his signature vibes on classics including “The Song Is You,” “Dancing in the Dark,” and “Prelude to a Kiss.”
Gibbs’s journey began in Brooklyn, New York, where he was born Julius Gubenko on October 13, 1924. From early studies on xylophone to performing with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie-inspired bebop ensembles, Gibbs carved a remarkable career spanning collaborations with Woody Herman, Benny Goodman, Ray Charles, Alice Coltrane, John Lennon, and Leonard Cohen. His story has been chronicled in his award-winning biography Good Vibes: A Life in Jazz, and he remains active today with weekly appearances on his TG Q&A Show.
Dream Band, Vol. 7 is not just a release—it’s a testament to Gibbs’s lifelong dedication to jazz, his love for ensemble playing, and the enduring magic of his big band sound.
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