Photo: WHYY Photos/Emma Lee
Based in Philadelphia, PA
Website: Gibson School of Music & Arts
“My compositions are all duality in nature. Tacony Creek Suite exemplifies this statement: Composition 1- ‘Wings As Eagles’ speaks of ornithology and biblical concepts of enduring strength. Composition 6- ‘Live Streaming: 8:46’ speaks of the streams itself that runs through the creek and it also speaks of social media and social consciousness. The 8:46 represents the murder of Mr. George Floyd with a knee on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. All compositions should have more than one reference.”
Biography
Professor Randy J. Gibson is a prolific pianist, composer, and recording artist who has performed throughout the world. As an educator, Gibson has over 25 years of teaching experience including universities, colleges, and private schools. He is adept at playing classical, gospel, jazz, and contemporary styles of music. Along with his wife, Wilhemina, they founded the Gibson School of Music & Arts in 1995, where they have nurtured several generations of talent including the likes of Kamal Gray (of the Roots) and Jazmine Sullivan. Gibson studied music at Philadelphia College of Performing Arts, Temple University and Combs College of Music. He holds a Masters degree in Music.
Professor Gibson’s monumental Tacony Creek Suite reflects his deepening awareness and exposure to the beauty and travails of an under-appreciated urban green space that comprises Tacony Creek Park. The artistic work began under a seed grant from the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, courtesy of the Joseph Robert Foundation. Expansion of that work into a complete song cycle was manifested through The Olney Embrace Project, underwritten by Olney Culture Lab with support from the William Penn Foundation. Tacony Creek Suite culminated in an album and concert film released in 2020 featuring Professor Gibson and Double Portion, his ensemble of all-star Philadelphia-based musicians. Visit Olney Culture Lab for more information.
Work Samples
Excerpt of “Wings As Eagles” from Tacony Creek Suite (2020). Composed & arranged by Professor Randy J. Gibson. Professor Randy Gibson, piano, keyboard & synthesizer; Tony “TNT” Jones, bass; Craig McIver, drums; Joe Harrison, congas & percussion; Leon Jordan, Jr., trumpet; Josh Lee, tenor & soprano saxophone; Brent White, trombone. Engineered & Mastered by Dave Schonauer at Morning Star Studio.
Tacony Creek Suite (2020), concert film and documentary. Composed & arranged by Professor Randy J. Gibson. Professor Randy Gibson, piano, keyboard & synthesizer; Joe Harrison, percussion & congas; Lee Smith, acoustic & electric bass; Craig McIver, drums; Hiruy Tirfe, soprano & tenor saxophone; Leon Jordan, Jr., trumpet; Michael Spearman, trombone; Eunice China, violin; Melissa Talley Palmer, dancer on “Live Streaming: 846.” Recorded at the Gibson School of Music & Arts. View on YouTube for full credits.