Terry Gibbs - From Me to You: A Tribute to Lionel Hampton [CD]

Early in his career, vibraphonist Terry Gibbs was encouraged by Lionel Hampton, who actually asked him to join his band (though Hamp's wife, Gladys, nixed the deal). Many decades later, Gibbs pays tribute to Hampton on this enjoyable set. Using a band of Los Angeles musicians including tenor saxophonist Pete Christlieb, organist Joey DeFrancesco, guitarist Anthony Wilson, and pianist Mike Melvoin, Gibbs performs a variety of songs associated with Hampton, plus four basic originals that the older vibraphonist would have enjoyed jamming. Gibbs is more boppish than Hamp, but their styles are not that dissimilar and he was quite familiar with all of the Hampton standards. The musicians clearly had a fun time, with singer Barbara Morrison guesting on "Evil Gal Blues," Gibbs taking a few rare vocals, the vibist playing some two-fingered piano (like Hampton) on "Two-Finger Boogie Shuffle," and the band romping on "Flying Home" and "Hey Ba-Ba-Re-Bop." – Scott Yanow, AllMusic