Jazz musician. Al McKibbon was one of the premier bassists of the early bebop era, supporting giants like Dizzy Gillespie, Coleman Hawkins and Thelonious Monk in addition to collaborating with percussionist Chano Pozo to forge the sound of Afro-Cuban jazz. In 1947, after working with Lucky Millinder, Tab Smith, J. C. Heard, and Coleman Hawkins, McKibbon joined Dizzy Gillespie's band, in which he played until 1950. In the 1950s, he recorded with the Miles Davis nonet, Earl Hines, Count Basie, Johnny Hodges, Monk, George Shearing, Cal Tjader, Herbie Nichols and Hawkins. McKibbon was credited with interesting Tjader in Latin music while he played in Tjader's group. McKibbon was also the bass player for the Giants of Jazz, an all-star jazz group formed in the 1970s. In 1999, at the age of 80, he recorded his first album in his own name, "Tumbao Para Los Congueros Di Mi Vida," which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Performance. McKibbon's second album, "Black Orchid," was released in 2004.
******Added By JC*****
Al, was such a wonderful and caring person. I remember at the age of fifteen recouperating from surgery and receiving phone calls from Al wishing me well and encouraging my interest in jazz music. I actually saw him play on television backing up Sammy Davis Jr. I called the studio to ask him a question about the Bass. A receptionist from the NBC studio said she would relay the message. Within a day or so, I received a phone call from Mr. Al Mckibbon. He actually took time out of a hectic schedule playing and recording for TV, singers and etc. to answer my questions 3000 miles away. His phone call lifted my spirits and gave me a drive to pursue my dream as a musician. We stayed in contact through the years and when I would travel to perform in LA Calif. He would be right there to greet me and show me around town. Al was an excellent mentor and I will always be forever grateful.
******Added By JC*****
Al, was such a wonderful and caring person. I remember at the age of fifteen recouperating from surgery and receiving phone calls from Al wishing me well and encouraging my interest in jazz music. I actually saw him play on television backing up Sammy Davis Jr. I called the studio to ask him a question about the Bass. A receptionist from the NBC studio said she would relay the message. Within a day or so, I received a phone call from Mr. Al Mckibbon. He actually took time out of a hectic schedule playing and recording for TV, singers and etc. to answer my questions 3000 miles away. His phone call lifted my spirits and gave me a drive to pursue my dream as a musician. We stayed in contact through the years and when I would travel to perform in LA Calif. He would be right there to greet me and show me around town. Al was an excellent mentor and I will always be forever grateful.
Jazz musician. Al McKibbon was one of the premier bassists of the early bebop era, supporting giants like Dizzy Gillespie, Coleman Hawkins and Thelonious Monk in addition to collaborating with percussionist Chano Pozo to forge the sound of Afro-Cuban jazz. In 1947, after working with Lucky Millinder, Tab Smith, J. C. Heard, and Coleman Hawkins, McKibbon joined Dizzy Gillespie's band, in which he played until 1950. In the 1950s, he recorded with the Miles Davis nonet, Earl Hines, Count Basie, Johnny Hodges, Monk, George Shearing, Cal Tjader, Herbie Nichols and Hawkins. McKibbon was credited with interesting Tjader in Latin music while he played in Tjader's group. McKibbon was also the bass player for the Giants of Jazz, an all-star jazz group formed in the 1970s. In 1999, at the age of 80, he recorded his first album in his own name, "Tumbao Para Los Congueros Di Mi Vida," which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Performance. McKibbon's second album, "Black Orchid," was released in 2004.
******Added By JC*****
Al, was such a wonderful and caring person. I remember at the age of fifteen recouperating from surgery and receiving phone calls from Al wishing me well and encouraging my interest in jazz music. I actually saw him play on television backing up Sammy Davis Jr. I called the studio to ask him a question about the Bass. A receptionist from the NBC studio said she would relay the message. Within a day or so, I received a phone call from Mr. Al Mckibbon. He actually took time out of a hectic schedule playing and recording for TV, singers and etc. to answer my questions 3000 miles away. His phone call lifted my spirits and gave me a drive to pursue my dream as a musician. We stayed in contact through the years and when I would travel to perform in LA Calif. He would be right there to greet me and show me around town. Al was an excellent mentor and I will always be forever grateful.
******Added By JC*****
Al, was such a wonderful and caring person. I remember at the age of fifteen recouperating from surgery and receiving phone calls from Al wishing me well and encouraging my interest in jazz music. I actually saw him play on television backing up Sammy Davis Jr. I called the studio to ask him a question about the Bass. A receptionist from the NBC studio said she would relay the message. Within a day or so, I received a phone call from Mr. Al Mckibbon. He actually took time out of a hectic schedule playing and recording for TV, singers and etc. to answer my questions 3000 miles away. His phone call lifted my spirits and gave me a drive to pursue my dream as a musician. We stayed in contact through the years and when I would travel to perform in LA Calif. He would be right there to greet me and show me around town. Al was an excellent mentor and I will always be forever grateful.
