THE ELSWORTH GIBSON QUINTET

About the Artist

Karen Gray, vocalist
Buck Hill, saxophones
Elsworth Gibson, piano
Steve Novosell, bass
Nasa Abaday, drums
A native of Washington, DC, Elsworth Gibson (affectionately called “Gib” by contemporaries and friends) began his career as a pianist and trumpeter in the Rick Henderson Quartet and Orchestra at the early age of 15. While at Armstrong High School, he performed with many local groups such as The Buck Hill Quartet, The Scarrington Visor Quartet and briefly with the Jazz at the Philharmonics Illinois Orchestra. He later did a brief tour with Stan Getz, the Red Foxx Review and Orchestra and with blues singers Gatemouth Moore and Wynony Harris. While performing with the Rick Henderson Orchestra at the Howard Theater, Mr. Gibson was asked to join the Lionel Hampton Orchestra and later toured with the Johnny Sparrow Quartet.

Returning to the DC Area, he spent two years as musical director for Channel 5’s Capitol Caravan. He performed locally with Charlie Rouse and Friends as well as with major headliners who toured the DC area such as Sonny Stitt, Wes Montgomery, Irene Reid, Al Hibbler, Arthur Prysock, Jimmy McPhail, Pepper Adams, Bob Brookmyer, Etta Jones, Benny Green, Lee Morgan, Curtis Fuller, Charlie Byrd and many others. Currently, Mr. Gibson performs regularly at the Eighteenth Street Loung, NW Washington DC and his ensembles also appear regularly in the DC Metropolitan area.

Past Performances