US news sites are reporting the death of noted drummer/percussionist Leonard “Doc” Gibbs. No specific details of his passing are forthcoming.
Gibbs hailed from Pennsylvania and in his twenties he became a mainstay on the Philly jazz circuit. One of his first big projects was working with Grover Washington Jr on his ‘Live At The Bijou’ project and indeed it was the sax man who gave Gibbs his “Doc” nickname after he helped him cure his bad cold!
Gibbs went on to play with (amongst others) Eric Benet, Erykah Badu, Anita Baker, Nancy Wilson, and George Benson. Gibbs was also a member of the board of governors of the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences and was an advocate for musical education, working regularly with kids through Young Audiences of Eastern Pennsylvania.
