Fear of Flying [CD]

Thev debut solo release by the pianist, composer and sound architect Tom Gibbs features nine tracks of powerful, melodic and shape-shifting music played by a bumper-crop of world-class artists - bassist Euan Burton, saxophonist Will Vinson and drummer James Maddren.

The compositions on Fear of Flying are distinctive and powerful; these are melodies that will stay with you, and they serve to illustrate why mentor (and world renowned pianist) John Taylor dubbed him "inspiring."

It's not all conceptualization, seriousness and virtuosity though, for on this recording you can hear the fun that the musicians had in the studio, as they playfully navigate through Gibbs' compositions with effortless mastery. Spearheaded by heavyweight saxophonist Will Vinson (an Englishman arguably better known in his adopted city of New York than on home soil), prodigious drummer James Maddren (who plays with both the Gwilym Simcock and Kit Downes Trio), and double bassist Euan Burton, (Tom's oldest ally who hired him for his first-ever paid gig), these highly-skilled musicians lay down some of their best individual performances on a record to date.

This is a highly personal and notable debut from Gibbs, blending the pure bliss of music making with the complexities and creative sounds of the contemporary Scottish, NYC, and the European improvised-music scenes.

Personnel: Tom Gibbs (piano), Will Vinson (soprano & alto saxophones), Euan Burton (acoustic bass), James Maddren (drums)