Drummer Gerry Gibbs has never built his career under the shadow of his famous vibes playing father Terry, and it’s to his credit. Here, the younger Gibbs finally gives a musical tribute to the bopping big band father and sideman of Goodman, Defranco, by revisiting a two disc collection of dad’s tunes in a variety of trios. The first idea was clever, but the second was brilliant, namely mixing and matching trios with Ron Carter/b and Chick Corea/p (for his last recording), Kenny Barron/p and Buster Williams/b, Patrice Rushen/p and Larry Goldings/B3 and Geoff Keezer/p with Christian McBride/b, even having a recording of elder Gibbs spliced into a melting pot of all four trios on a snappy “Hey Chick”
The GCC team is joyful on “Bopstacle Course”, elegant on “Waltz for My Children” and cleverly Latin during “Tango For Terry”. GBW swings for “Kick Those Feet” and reflects deeply during “Lonely Dreams”. GRG focuses on soulful organ moods on “Smoke ‘em Up” and a sizzling “Townhouse” with GKM featuring Gibbs in hi hat heaven on the rapid “Nutty Notes” and some wild unison work on the eyebrow raising “4 AM”. Who says that God has no grandchildren?