As indicated by the title of his Imani Records leader debut, veteran trombonist David Gibson developed the repertoire on Fellowship while endeavoring “to create a sense of purpose” amidst the isolation of Covid-19.

Deeply admired by his peers for the high-level arranging skills that highlight his seven previous albums by two- and three-horn ensembles since 2002, three albums by Orrin Evans’s Captain Black Big Band, and his work as musical director for George Gee’s Swing Orchestra, Gibson’s debut quartet album places his considerable instrumental prowess front and center, as he navigates eight originals marked by his characteristic blend of complex harmonic structures and elemental melodies with a burnished, centered tone and a flow of fresh ideas.

Joining Gibson is the challenging, kinetic rhythm section he’s frequently performed with at Smalls and various other New York venues, comprising energetic rising star pianist Davis Whitfield and drum master Kush Abadey, both thirty-ish, and bassist Joseph Lepore

1. Disquietude (6:27)
2. Beyond Breath (7:25)
3. Meek’s Wrath (6:06)
4. Discursiveness (5:24)
5. Chief Distortion (5:24)
6. Persist (5:58)
7. Waiting for Patience (7:01)
8. Fellowship (5:44)

This delightfully stylistic new recording opens on the quietly rambunctious Disquietude and the fleetingly ornate, veritably glistening Beyond Breath and they are then followed by the smoothly lush grooves laid down within Meek’s Wrath, and then we get the upbeat and euphoric-tipping Discursiveness.

Up next is the fervently-sculpted Chief Distortion which is itself backed seamlessly by the luxurious Persist, the album rounding out on the emboldened Waiting for Patience, closing on the most languishing beauty found within the titular Fellowship.

Musicians:
David Gibson – trombone
Davis Whitfield – piano
Joseph Lepore – bass
Kush Abadey – drums

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