Songs of the Civil War
Jim Gibson is a prominent part of Atlanta's music scene, and has played thousands of commercial-music engagements over the past 30 years, ranging from elaborate corporate events to jazz clubs. He started his professional life as a jazz pianist, and has played throughout the Southeast United States, and in Paris and Florence, Italy.His recordings for Hickory Cove, however, show another side of his playing--a quieter, contemplative style. He calls it "soothing music for stressful times," but unlike most new-age players, Jim chooses only well-known and long-loved songs to record.You'll typically hear sections that sound like classical music merge into a jazz-flavored phrase, and then, perhaps, a section that draws from folk-music sources. And Jim moves in and out of different keys and time signatures with ease.The result is a very unusual blend of melodic and restful piano playing that has proven to be very popular.In addition to being a full-time professional pianist, Jim recently spent two years as a full-time visiting professor at Georgia State University's School of Music, and he has written four books and many articles on the commercial music profession.