Through the mentorship of legends Slide Hampton and Curtis Fuller, David Gibson has become recognized as one of the leading trombonists in a new generation of jazz musicians. David succeeded in achieving his goal. In 2000, David began performing with Grammy winner Slide Hampton’s “World of Trombones.” The legendary ensemble has performed worldwide, and in 2002, David contributed as both performer and composer to its first recording in 20 years, Spirit of the Horn. Gibson has performed with the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni Big Band, 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 Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition. His debut recording as a bandleader, 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, featuring saxophonist Wayne Escoffery and acclaimed trumpeter Randy Brecker. The recording’s original compositions were tinged with the essence of classic 60’s era Blue Note recordings, yet informed by modern sensibilities, and placed in radio personality Bob Parlocha’s personal Top 40 Jazz Releases.
David received a BA from the University of Central Oklahoma, where he studied privately with Dr. Kent Kidwell and Lee Rucker. He later received an 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. In addition to his service at Columbia, David currently serves as an adjunct instructor at SUNY Geneseo, the New School and the Fraoli School of Music.