The Times Interview - Frank Gibson, Explain Yourself to PJ Taylor

Thursday, 10 May 2007

• Howick and Pakuranga Times

A drummer for all seasons, NZ's finest beat master, Frank Gibson. Times photo PJ Taylor.

Frank Gibson has been an ever-present name in Auckland’s gig and band listings since popular music got people singing and dancing back in the late 1940s. First to keep the gig-going punters right in time was Frank Gibson senior, the beat king of Auckland’s post World War Two dance hall craze and early rock’n’roll years. Then, as an eight-year-old, Frank junior joined his charismatic dad on the Town Hall stage for a jazz drumming duel and the younger Gibson’s career was launched. Back then, junior didn’t realise what that involved and where it would take him. But not many, if any New Zealand musicians, especially from the jazz fraternity, have played to the level he’s been at for four decades. He’s enjoying playing “more than ever” and is keen to give something back to New Zealand music: Considerable and invaluable knowledge.

Growing up in a musical and drumming household, was it inevitable that you’d become a drummer?Rock’n’RollersDrumming was prominent at the time, driven to the forefront of popular music by great US players Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa. Then along came some of your favourites, Kenny Clarke, Philly Joe Jones, Max Roach, Jimmy Cobb, Shelly Manne and Art Blakey.While attending Mt Albert Grammar, you decided on a future drumming career. Tell us about one of your teachers who had an ear for high intelligence music.Did you play all styles from the beginning?Doctor TreeDickMorrisseyJimMullinPutting On The StyleNight Flight
You’re a fan of what Jimi Hendrix’s first drummer Mitch Mitchell played for The Experience. Many of those early British pop-rock drummers came from jazz, including Ginger Baker and Charlie Watts.You’re one of only a few NZ drummers that can be called at short notice to cover any gig. A few years ago, you got a gig for Diana Krall with the NZ Symphony Orchestra, on the recommendation of renowned ex-pat Kiwi pianist and composer, your friend Alan Broadbent.One glance at your CV says there are many career highlights. What were the influential ones?When based in London, was the famous north Soho jazz institution Ronnie Scott’s a popular hangout?Morrissey MullinWhat are you doing now?