Gerard William Gibbs, born November 16th 1967, has been a lover of Jazz ever since his father introduced him at the tender age of three to the music of the late Jazz organist, Richard “Groove” Holmes. At age seven, when he later had the opportunity to meet Holmes, Gerard grew to idolize Holmes. He knew then that one day, he would play Jazz just like his idol.
Gerard Gibbs, born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, is a product of the Detroit Public Schools. He began his musical training in classical Piano at the age of nine. Although he took to this musical style fairly quickly, his interest in performing Jazz never waned. In the summer of 1981, while recovering at home from corrective leg surgery, Gerard received a surprise visit from “Groove” Holmes. Holmes took an immediate interest in Gerard and began to show him all the “tricks of the trade.” Until Holmes’ death in 1991, Gerard had the kind of friendship and mentoring relationship with this international jazz organist that others can only dream about.