Melvin Gibbs

Melvin Gibbs is a boundary-pushing bassist and composer who’s been a linchpin of New York’s avant-garde and experimental music scenes since the 1980s. Known for his gritty, inventive basslines, Gibbs has effortlessly navigated genres from no-wave punk and jazz fusion to global rhythms and electronic experimentation. He cut his teeth with bands like Defunkt and the Rollins Band, but his collaborations read like a who’s-who of creative icons, including Sonny Sharrock, John Zorn, and Archie Shepp. More recently, his solo projects like *Anamibia Sessions 1: The Wave* and *16 Dimensions of Underwater Light* showcase his knack for blending African diasporic sounds with futuristic textures, proving he’s still reshaping music’s edges.

A cultural alchemist at heart, Gibbs doesn’t just play bass—he builds sonic bridges. His 2023 release *4 + 1 equals 5 for May 25* nods to his ongoing fascination with collaborative spontaneity, while works like *Gullah Jack Style* and *Raw Meet* highlight his deep ties to improvisation and political resonance. Whether producing for artists like Saul Williams or leading his own genre-defying ensembles, Gibbs remains a quiet revolutionary, fusing music with activism and making the underground feel like home.