Melvin Gibbs interviewed by Michael Schell

Michael Schell interviews bassist Melvin Gibbs prior to his October 27, 2023 appearance with Harriet Tubman at Seattle’s Earshot Jazz Festival. Topics include Melvin’s Brooklyn roots and unusual path to the electric bass, his associations with Reggie Workman, Pete Cosey, Arto Lindsay and Arthur Jafa, the influences of Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis, the connection between African instruments and urban noise music—and most of all, the philosophy, origins and sonic path of Harriet Tubman the band. Excerpted from Flotation Device, October 22, 2023 (KBCS-FM Bellevue/Seattle/Tacoma). Flotation Device showcases creative and improvised music from the Northwest and around the world, live Sunday nights, 10pm to Midnight Pacific Time on 91.3 KBCS HD1, and then in podcast format at https://www.mixcloud.com/FlotationDevice. Find us on Facebook and Instagram by Googling "Flotation Device KBCS". Interview © 2023 Michael Schell Visit https://tinyurl.com/FD122 to hear the entire program, including complete musical selections.