Diverse Array of Instruments Gives Gibbs Trio an Eclectic Vibe

The Gerry Gibbs trio did everything but wear funny hats and call for audience sing-alongs at Rocco Ristorante Saturday night. Gibbs, a drummer and the son of legendary vibes great Terry Gibbs, calls his group the Third Trio From the Sun, and there were times when the outer space nomenclature seemed appropriate.

The trio arrived for its opening set by marching through the audience, with Gibbs generating random sounds on a battered trumpet, multi-instrumentalist Pamelia Kurstin adding trombone blasts and pianist Greg Kurstin knocking out rhythms on a frame hand drum.

Once on stage, the sounds became even more diverse. Pamelia Kurstin, one of very few players of the theremin--the eerie, vocal-sounding instrument that was a staple in the soundtracks of ‘50s science-fiction films--also doubled on acoustic bass, keyboard bass and the melodica (a hand-held, mouth-blown piano-like instrument).

Greg Kurstin added acoustic piano, melodica, synthesizers and, on one number, the Brazilian berimbao, and Gibbs was surrounded by a virtual thicket of percussion.

The results of all this instrumental smorgasbord were--despite some occasional unevenness--never less than fascinating. The use of the theremin to provide supplemental melody lines on some of the tunes was surprisingly effective, and Greg Kurstin’s straight-ahead piano and synth soloing helped sustain a mainstream jazz center for the music.

The addition of veteran alto saxophonist Arthur Blythe on a few numbers as guest artist added even more jazz drive to the proceedings. An extremely versatile player, comfortable in straight-ahead jazz as well as the avant-garde, Blythe’s warm sound and free-flying solos provided the Gibbs trio with the perfect unifying touch. With his participation, the Third Trio from the Sun became a genuinely universal jazz ensemble.