Al McKibbon (January 1, 1919 – July 29, 2005) was an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...

double bassist The double bass (), also known simply as the bass () (or by other names), is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed (or plucked) string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra (excluding unorthodox additions such as the octobass). Simila ...

, known for his work in bop,

hard bop Hard bop is a subgenre of jazz that is an extension of bebop (or "bop") music. Journalists and record companies began using the term in the mid-1950s to describe a new current within jazz that incorporated influences from rhythm and blues, gospe ...

, and

Latin jazz Latin jazz is a genre of jazz with Latin American rhythms. The two main categories are Afro-Cuban jazz, rhythmically based on Cuban popular dance music, with a rhythm section employing ostinato patterns or a clave, and Afro-Brazilian jazz, whic ...

. In 1947, after working with

Lucky Millinder Lucius Venable "Lucky" Millinder (August 8, 1910 – September 28, 1966) was an American swing and rhythm-and-blues bandleader. Although he could not read or write music, did not play an instrument and rarely sang, his showmanship and musical ...

Tab Smith Talmadge "Tab" Smith (January 11, 1909 – August 17, 1971) was an American swing and rhythm and blues alto saxophonist. He is best remembered for the tracks "Because of You" and "Pretend". He worked with Count Basie, the Mills Rhythm Boys a ...

J. C. Heard James Charles Heard (August 10, 1917 – September 27, 1988) was an American swing, bop, and blues drummer. Biography Heard was born in Dayton, Ohio and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. As a young child, he performed as a tap dancer in a ...

, and

Coleman Hawkins Coleman Randolph Hawkins (November 21, 1904 – May 19, 1969), nicknamed "Hawk" and sometimes "Bean", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.Yanow, Scot"Coleman Hawkins: Artist Biography" AllMusic. Retrieved December 27, 2013. One of the first p ...

, he replaced Ray Brown in

Dizzy Gillespie John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie (; October 21, 1917 – January 6, 1993) was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer, educator and singer. He was a trumpet virtuoso and improviser, building on the virtuosic style of Roy Eldridge but addi ...

's band, in which he played until 1950. In the 1950s he recorded with the

Miles Davis Miles Dewey Davis III (May 26, 1926September 28, 1991) was an American trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th-century music. Davis adopted a variety of music ...

nonet,

Earl Hines Earl Kenneth Hines, also known as Earl "Fatha" Hines (December 28, 1903 – April 22, 1983), was an American jazz pianist and bandleader. He was one of the most influential figures in the development of jazz piano and, according to one source, " ...

Count Basie William James "Count" Basie (; August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. In 1935, he formed the Count Basie Orchestra, and in 1936 took them to Chicago for a long engagement and the ...

Johnny Hodges Cornelius "Johnny" Hodges (July 25, 1907 – May 11, 1970) was an American alto saxophonist, best known for solo work with Duke Ellington's big band. He played lead alto in the saxophone section for many years. Hodges was also featured on soprano ...

Thelonious Monk Thelonious Sphere Monk (, October 10, 1917 – February 17, 1982) was an American jazz pianist and composer. He had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including " 'Round Midnight", "B ...

Mongo Santamaria Mongo may refer to: Geography Africa * Mongo, Chad, a Sahel city * Apostolic Vicariate of Mongo (Roman Catholic missionary jurisdiction) * Mongo, Sierra Leone, a chiefdom * Mongo River (Little Scarces River), Guinea and Sierra Leone, a tributa ...

George Shearing Sir George Albert Shearing, (13 August 1919 14 February 2011) was a British jazz pianist who for many years led a popular jazz group that recorded for Discovery Records, MGM Records and Capitol Records. Shearing was the composer of over 300 t ...

Cal Tjader Callen Radcliffe Tjader Jr. ( ; July 16, 1925 – May 5, 1982) was an American Latin Jazz musician, known as the most successful non-Latino Latin musician. He explored other jazz idioms, even as he continued to perform music of Afro-Jazz, ...

Herbie Nichols Herbert Horatio Nichols (January 3, 1919 – April 12, 1963) was an American jazz pianist and composer who wrote the jazz standard " Lady Sings the Blues". Obscure during his lifetime, he is now highly regarded by many musicians and critics. Lif ...

and Hawkins. McKibbon was credited with interesting Tjader in Latin music while he played in Shearing's group. McKibbon has always been highly regarded (among other signs of this regard, he was the bassist for the

Giants of Jazz A giant is a being of human appearance, sometimes of prodigious size and strength, common in folklore. Giant(s) or The Giant(s) may also refer to: Mythology and religion *Giants (Greek mythology) *Jötunn, a Germanic term often translated as 'gi ...

), and continued to perform until 2004. In 1999, the first album in his own name, ''Tumbao Para Los Congueros De Mi Vida'', was released. McKibbon's second album, ''Black Orchid'', was released in 2004 and was recorded at Icon Recording Studios, Hollywood, California. The album was Produced by Damon Martin, recorded by studio co-owner Andrew Troy and Assistant Engineer - Aaron Kaplan, 2nd Assistant Engineer - Pablo Solorzano. 'Black Orchid' was mixed by Robbie Adams. Al also wrote the Afterword to Raul Fernandez' book, ''Latin Jazz'', part of the Smithsonian Institution's series of exhibitions on jazz.

Discography

As leader

*''Tumbao Para Los Congueros De Mi Vida'' (Blue Lady, 1999) *''Black Orchid'' (Departure Records, 2004)

As sideman

With

Nat Adderley Nathaniel Carlyle Adderley (November 25, 1931 – January 2, 2000) was an American jazz trumpeter. He was the younger brother of saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, whom he supported and played with for many years. Adderley's composition " ...

*''

To the Ivy League from Nat ''To the Ivy League from Nat'' is an album by jazz cornetist Nat Adderley released on the EmArcy label featuring performances by Adderley with his brother Cannonball Adderley, Junior Mance, Sam Jones/Al McKibbon, and Charles "Specs" Wright with a ...

'' (1956) With

Lorez Alexandria Lorez Alexandria (born Dolorez Alexandria Turner; August 14, 1929 – May 22, 2001). was an American jazz singer, described as "one of the most gifted and underrated jazz singers of the twentieth century". She became established in the midwest b ...

*''

Alexandria the Great Alexandria ( or ; ar, ٱلْإِسْكَنْدَرِيَّةُ ; grc-gre, Αλεξάνδρεια, Alexándria) is the second largest city in Egypt, and the largest city on the Mediterranean coast. Founded in by Alexander the Great, Alexandri ...

'' (Impulse!, 1964) *''

More of the Great Lorez Alexandria ''More of the Great Lorez Alexandria'' is an album by American jazz vocalist Lorez Alexandria featuring performances recorded in 1964 for the Impulse! Records, Impulse! label.

'' (Impulse!, 1964) With

Sonny Criss William "Sonny" Criss (23 October 1927 – 19 November 1977) was an American jazz musician. An alto saxophonist of prominence during the bebop era of jazz, he was one of many players influenced by Charlie Parker. Biography William Criss wa ...

*''

Sonny's Dream (Birth of the New Cool) ''Sonny's Dream (Birth of the New Cool)'' is an album by saxophonist Sonny Criss recorded in 1968 and released on the Prestige label.Miles Davis Miles Dewey Davis III (May 26, 1926September 28, 1991) was an American trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th-century music. Davis adopted a variety of music ...

Birth of the Cool ''Birth of the Cool'' is a compilation album by American jazz trumpeter and bandleader Miles Davis, released in February 1957 by Capitol Records. It compiles eleven tracks recorded by Davis's nonet for the label over the course of three sessio ...

(Capitol, 1957) With

Victor Feldman Victor Stanley Feldman (7 April 1934 – 12 May 1987) was an English jazz musician who played mainly piano, vibraphone, and percussion. He began performing professionally during childhood, eventually earning acclaim in the UK jazz scene as ...

*''

Latinsville! ''Latinsville!'' is an album by vibraphonist and pianist Victor Feldman recorded in 1959 and released on the Contemporary label.

'' (Contemporary, 1960) * With

*''

The Complete RCA Victor Recordings ''The Complete RCA Victor Recordings'' is a 1995 compilation 2-CD set of sessions led by Jazz trumpeter and composer Dizzy Gillespie recorded for the RCA Victor label between 1937 and 1949. Reception Writing for Allmusic, Richard S. Ginell stat ...

'' (Bluebird, 1937-1949,

995 Year 995 ( CMXCV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Japan * 17 May - Fujiwara no Michitaka (imperial regent) dies. * 3 June: Fujiwara no Michikane gain ...

*''

Carter, Gillespie Inc. ''Carter, Gillespie Inc.'' (re-released on CD as ''Benny Carter, Dizzy Gillespie Inc.'') is an album by saxophonist Benny Carter and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie recorded in 1976 and released on the Pablo label.Bennie Carter With

*'' The Coleman Hawkins, Roy Eldridge, Pete Brown, Jo Jones All Stars at Newport'' (Verve, 1957) With

*'' Castle Rock'' (Norgran, 1951

955 Year 955 ( CMLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * August 10 – Battle of Lechfeld: King Otto I ("the Great") defeats the Hungarians (also ...

With

The Jazz Crusaders The Crusaders (formerly known as The Jazz Crusaders) were an American jazz group that was successful from the 1960s to the 1990s. The group was known as the Jazz Crusaders from their formation in 1960 until shortening their name in 1971. The Cru ...

*'' Chile Con Soul'' (Pacific Jazz, 1965) With

Charles Kynard Charles Kynard (20 February 1933 – 8 July 1979) was an American soul jazz/ acid jazz organist born in St. Louis, Missouri. Kynard first played piano then switched to organ and led a trio in Kansas City including Tex Johnson (flute, sax) ...

and

Buddy Collette William Marcel "Buddy" Collette (August 6, 1921 – September 19, 2010) was an American jazz flutist, saxophonist, and clarinetist. He was a founding member of the Chico Hamilton Quintet. Early life William Marcel Collette was born in L ...

*''

Warm Winds ''Warm Winds'' is an album by organist Charles Kynard and flautist Buddy Collette recorded in 1964 in California and released on the World Pacific label.Edwards, D., Eyries, P. and Callahan, MWorld Pacific Album Discographyaccessed June 3, 2015 ...

'' (World Pacific, 1964) With

*'' Genius of Modern Music: Volume 2'' (1955) *''

The Giants of Jazz The Giants of Jazz was a jazz all-star group of the 1970s which featured Art Blakey (drums), Dizzy Gillespie (trumpet), Al McKibbon (bass), Thelonious Monk (piano), Sonny Stitt (alto and tenor sax), and Kai Winding (trombone). They recorded al ...

'' (Atlantic) with

Art Blakey Arthur Blakey (October 11, 1919 – October 16, 1990) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. He was also known as Abdullah Ibn Buhaina after he converted to Islam for a short time in the late 1940s. Blakey made a name for himself in the 1 ...

Sonny Stitt Edward Hammond Boatner Jr. (February 2, 1924 – July 22, 1982), known professionally as Sonny Stitt, was an American jazz saxophonist of the bebop/hard bop idiom. Known for his warm tone, he was one of the best-documented saxophonists of his ...

and

Kai Winding Kai Chresten Winding ( ; May 18, 1922 – May 6, 1983) was a Danish-born American trombonist and jazz composer. He is known for his collaborations with fellow trombonist J. J. Johnson. His version of "More", the theme from the movie ''Mondo Ca ...

(1971) *'' The London Sessions'' (Black Lion) with

(1971) With

Randy Newman Randall Stuart Newman (born November 28, 1943) is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, composer, and pianist known for his Southern American English, Southern-accented singing style, early Americana (music), Americana-influenced songs (often ...

*'' 12 Songs'' (1970) With The Night Blooming Jazzmen *''The Night Blooming Jazzmen'' (1971) With

*'' The Prophetic Herbie Nichols Vol. 1'' (1955) *'' The Prophetic Herbie Nichols Vol. 2'' (1955) *'' Herbie Nichols Trio'' (1956) With

Shuggie Otis Johnny Shuggie Otis (born Johnny Alexander Veliotes, Jr.; November 30, 1953) is an American singer-songwriter, recording artist, and multi-instrumentalist. Otis's composition "Strawberry Letter 23" (as recorded by The Brothers Johnson) topped ...

*''" Here Comes Shuggie Otis"'' (1969) With

Freddie Redd Freddie Redd (May 29, 1928 – March 17, 2021) was an American hard-bop pianist and composer. He is best known for writing music to accompany '' The Connection'' (1959), a play by Jack Gelber. According to Peter Watrous, writing in ''The New Y ...

*''

Live at the Studio Grill ''Live at the Studio Grill'' is a live album by jazz pianist Freddie Redd recorded in Hollywood in 1988 and released on the Triloka label in 1990.Fitzgerald, MFreddie Redd Leader Entryaccessed April 3, 2019 Reception The Allmusic review by Sc ...

'' (Triloka, 1990) With

*''

Latin Escapade Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...

'' (1956) *'' On the Sunny Side of the Strip'' (1960) With George Shearing and

Dakota Staton Dakota Staton (June 3, 1930 – April 10, 2007) was an American jazz vocalist who found international acclaim with the 1957 No. 4 hit "The Late, Late Show". She was also known by the Muslim name Aliyah Rabia for a period due to her conversion to ...

*'' In the Night'' (1958) With Robert Stewart *''

The Movement The Movement may refer to: Politics * The Movement (Iceland), a political party in Iceland * The Movement (Israel), a political party in Israel, led by Tzipi Livni * Civil rights movement, the African-American political movement * The Movemen ...

'' (Exodus, 2002) With

Billy Taylor Billy Taylor (July 24, 1921 – December 28, 2010) was an American jazz pianist, composer, broadcaster and educator. He was the Robert L. Jones Distinguished Professor of Music at East Carolina University in Greenville, and from 1994 was the ...

*'' Piano Panorama'' (Atlantic, 1952) With

*'' Cal Tjader, Vibist'' (Savoy, 1954) *'' Cal Tjader Plays Afro-Cuban'' (Fantasy, 1955) *'' Ritmo Caliente!'' (Fantasy, 1956) *''

Tjader Plays Tjazz Tjader (also Tjäder) is a surname, originating from the Swedish term for the capercaillie. Notable people with the surname include: *Cal Tjader Callen Radcliffe Tjader Jr. ( ; July 16, 1925 – May 5, 1982) was an American Latin Jazz mu ...

'' (Fantasy, 1956) *'' Mas Ritmo Caliente'' (Fantasy, 1957) *''Latin for Lovers'' (Fantasy, 1958) *'' Cal Tjader's Latin Concert'' (Fantasy, 1958) *'' A Night at the Blackhawk'' (Fantasy, 1958) *'' Cal Tjader Goes Latin'' (Fantasy, 1959) *''

Cal Tjader's Concert by the Sea Cal or CAL may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Cal'' (novel), a 1983 novel by Bernard MacLaverty * "Cal" (short story), a science fiction short story by Isaac Asimov * ''Cal'' (1984 film), an Irish drama starring John Lynch and Helen Mir ...

'' (Fantasy, 1959) *'' Cal Tjader's Concert by the Sea, Vol. 2'' (Fantasy, 1959) *'' Demasiado Caliente'' (Fantasy, 1960) *''

Cal Tjader Plays Harold Arlen ''Cal Tjader Plays Harold Arlen'' is an album by American vibraphonist Cal Tjader, five of its 11 tracks arranged by Tjader's longtime colleague Clare Fischer. Recorded in June 1960 Album notes for 2002 CD re-issue, ''Cal Tjader Plays Harold Arl ...

'' (Fantasy, 1960) *'' In a Latin Bag'' (Verve, 1961) *'' Live at the Monterey Jazz Festival 1958-1980'' (Concord, 2008) With Jack Wilson *'' The Jack Wilson Quartet featuring Roy Ayers'' (Atlantic, 1963)

References

''San Jose Mercury News'' report of death 30 July 2005

* https://web.archive.org/web/20050328093624/http://extratv.warnerbros.com/cmp/presentations/99_grammy/ retrieved Aug. 5, 2005 * Frenandez, Raul. ''Latin Jazz: The Perfect Combination''/''La Combinacion Perfecta'' (Chronicle Books, 2002). {{DEFAULTSORT:McKibbon, Al Bebop double-bassists Latin jazz double-bassists Hard bop double-bassists 1919 births 2005 deaths American jazz double-bassists Male double-bassists Cass Technical High School alumni Mainstream Records artists Miles Davis 20th-century double-bassists American male jazz musicians The Giants of Jazz members 20th-century American male musicians