When David Gibson moved to New York City in 1999, he was a little known musician with the desire to create music at the highest level. Since that time, he has been recognized as one of the leading trombonists in a new generation of jazz musicians. Through the mentorship of legends Slide Hampton and Curtis Fuller, David succeeded in achieving his goal.
In 2000, David began performing as a member of Grammy Winner Slide Hampton's “World of Trombones.” The legendary ensemble has performed worldwide and made their first recording in 20 years, Spirit of the Horn, in 2002. David contributed to the recording as both a performer and composer. He arranged his composition “Maya” for the large trombone ensemble and shared solo duties with Mr. Hampton.
Gibson has frequently found himself in the company of many jazz luminaries when performing with the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni Big Band. He has also performed with the Bob Belden Big Band, the Mingus Big Band and the New Jazz Composer's Octet.
In April 2003, Gibson received second prize at the prestigious Thelonius Monk Jazz Competition.
His debut recording as a band leader, Maya, was released in April 2002 on Nagel-Heyer and enjoyed enthusiastic support from both jazz radio and critics alike.
Spring 2005 marked the release of his second recording, The Path to Delphi. The recording took the next step in Gibson's musical journey featuring a new crop of original compositions tinged with the essence of classic 60's era Blue Note recordings, yet informed by his modern sensibilities. His horn sings over the lyrical melodies under the steady support of his able-bodied rhythm section. The Path to Delphi rekindled Gibson's lengthy musical relationship with saxophonist Wayne Escoffery while also featuring acclaimed trumpeter Randy Brecker. Renown jazz lover and radio personality, Bob Parlocha, placed Delphi in his personal Top 40 Jazz Releases.
“This recording was very different from my first. This music represents exactly where I am creatively, at present. I wrote the music over a 2 year period and was very fortunate to have a group of musicians to act as a laboratory as I sought different timbres.”
David received a BA from the University of Central Oklahoma, where he studied privately with Dr. Kent Kidwell, and Lee Rucker. He later received his MM in Jazz Composition from the Eastman School of Music, where he served as an assistant to Fred Sturm and studied trombone with Dr. John Marcellus. Gibson has used his education and experiences to establish a reputation as an educator. He currently serves as an adjunct instructor at Columbia University, SUNY Geneseo, the New School and the Fraoli School of Music.
David currently resides in New York City.
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