James Gibbs and Friends

James Gibbs III who currently tours with 8 time Grammy nominated singer/song writer Joe Thomas - was born in Newark, and raised in Irvington New Jersey. He began playing the trumpet at the age of 14 began his jazz training at The New Brunswick Jazz Institute under instructor and legendary organist Radam Schwartz. James was discovered by the late great jazz singer, arranger, composer, band leader, and actress Dr. Betty Carter at the Five Spot in NYC. He studied with Betty and performed jazz concerts at the B.AM. (Brooklyn Academy of Music) and The Kennedy Center with other young amateur/professional musicians from all over the world. That experience inspired James to go forth with his music career as a band leader, composer, producer, arranger, and engineer. James performs all over the world as a leader and as a side musician with other bands in many venues and festivals. In addition to his jazz training, James also plays: weddings, parties, corporate events, Reggae either as a soloist, or with duos, combos, groups/ensembles and many other styles and combinations. James performs many styles of music from: Jazz, Rock, R&B, Gospel, Latin, Reggae, Classical, Brazilian, and many other ethnics styles like: Jewish, Italian, German, Spanish, Mexican, Portuguese, and Asian music.. James has shared the stage with many greats such as: John Lamb (bassist from Duke Ellington’s Orchestra), Rufus Reid (legendary bassist), Buster Cooper (trombonist from Duke Ellington orchestra) , Mark Whitfield (guitarist), Sean Jones (trumpeter formerly from The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra), John Lee (bassist formerly from Dizzy Gillespie’s All-Star Band), Kenny Drew Jr (pianist), Terrence Blanchard (trumpeter/grammy winning composer in Spike Lee films), Joe Thomas (8 time grammy nominated singer/song writer), Jerry Stiller (Broadway actor, singer and television star), Eric Roberson (grammy nominated singer/song writer), Smokin’ Joe Frazier (former heavy weight champion), Roy Hargrove (trumpeter), Wynton Marsalis (trumpeter/music director of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra), Cecil Brooks III (drummer/club owner “Cecils”), Cyrus Chestnut (pianist), TS Monk (drummer/award winning songwriter/composer/son of iconic pianist Thelonious Monk), Joshua Paul Thompson (guitarist/award winning songwriter, composer and producer), David Pic’ Conley (flutist, saxophonist, award winning song writer and producer, founder of the grammy winning R&B Group “Surface”) and many others...