Loading home…
Born in 1917 (reportedly from some sources, in Baltimore) and raised in Asbury Park, New Jersey, Margie Gibson was one of the unsung heroes of swing jazz in the early 1940s. Of Indian descent, Gibson’s parents reportedly emigrated to the US from the then-named Calcutta (Kolkata). She began her musical education as a young child, learning to play piano. Although her complete musical education is unclear, resources agree that meeting her husband-to-be, composer and arranger Bill Gray, was instrumental in leading Gibson to a professional career as a jazz arranger and composer. With mentorship from Gray and jazz-giant Fletcher Henderson (for whom she also did arranging work), in her early 20s Gibson composed and arranged for the likes of Coleman Hawkins, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Jimmie Lunceford, Ella Fitzgerald, Artie Shaw, and Earl Hines, among others. Sadly very limited record of her career exists; after the early 40s she seems to disappear off the map entirely. If anyone has any more info about Ms Gibson's life and career after the mid-40s, PLEASE get in touch!!