Melvin Gibbs (Big Ears Festival Performer)

Melvin Gibbs (Big Ears Festival Performer)

From Essential Tremors by WUOT-FM 91.9 Knoxville

October 30, 2025 · 40 min · Episode 118

About this episode

Bassist Melvin Gibbs discusses his extensive musical career and influences leading up to his performance at the Big Ears Festival.

Bassist Melvin Gibbs has played on many seminal records you’re very familiar with, and likely many you aren’t, almost 200 in total. Some of his better-known work includes playing with drummer Ronald Shannon Jackson, guitarist Sonny Sharrock, as well as Rollins Band, and Arto Lindsay. Although having played in stylistically varied projects, there is one constant among all them, which is Gibbs’ palpable presence, as he’s not a typical “session” player or one to recede into the background. Regardless of the project, his passion, precision, and distinctive, extremely musical playing stand out. Gibbs will appear as part of the Electrical Field of Love project featuring his group Harriet Tubman & Georgia Anne Muldrow at the 2026 Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN. On this episode, he talks about how songs by Undine Smith Moore, Les Tambours de Brazza, and 67 guided his musical course. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Guest: Melvin Gibbs

Topics covered

  • music
  • performance
  • bass guitar
  • Big Ears Festival
  • musical influence

Keywords

  • Melvin Gibbs
  • Big Ears Festival
  • bass guitar
  • musical influences
  • Harriet Tubman

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Harriet Tubman, Georgia Anne Muldrow

Books & works: Undine Smith Moore, Les Tambours de Brazza, 67

Places: Knoxville, TN

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