Terry Gibbs, legendary jazz vibraphonist and bandleader, was 12 years old when he kicked off his career as a professional musician, winning first place in an amateur performance. Born and raised in the heart of Brooklyn and possessing tremendous musical talent, Gibbs learned the ins and outs of bebop from pioneers like Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Bud Powell. In 1959 his ensemble, later dubbed The Dream Band, became the toast of Hollywood. Four decades, 65 albums, and 300 compositions later, his story is one of great substance-his foot—tapping music, revolutionary. Good Vibes is a rollicking autobiography that tracks jazz from the turbulent post-war years through the rise of bebop, traversing its changes through the eyes of one of its greatest practitioners. Gibbs's hilarious, poignant, and always fascinating anecdotes reveal little-known attributes and quirks about legendary personalities such as Benny Goodman, Buddy Rich, Steve Allen, Frank Sinatra, Don Rickles, Billie Holiday, and many more. A foreword by Chubby Jackson, a discography, and an index round out this work.

"Anyone who's ever spent time with Gibbs knows that in addition to his enormous skills as a vibist, he is one of jazz's great stortytellers. This immensely entertaining book reads like a marathon conversation touching every aspect of Gibbs' career, from his early infatuation with bebop to the recent release of an album by his '50s and '60s "Dream Band." Be prepared to laugh, to cry, to fully experience the inner world of the bebop life." - Los Angeles Times

"Gibbs' style as a storyteller is a lot like his style as one of the top vibes players in jazz-spirited, frenetic, quirky and highly entertaining. And after nearly 70 years of performing, with everyone for Tommy Dorsey to Charlie Parker, Gibbs has a lot of stories to tell, many of them memorable, most of them hilarious….Gibbs' lighthearted autobiography… effectively captures his fast-talking, wisecracking, enormously good-natured personality…his story's a good one." - All About Jazz

"…focuses on his career highlights, Terry's professional activities and takes the reader through the tumultuous life of a young and exceptional jazz player. The book tracks postwar jazz to the embellishment and creation of bebop as seen from the vantage and ponderance of one [of the most] creative, virtuoso vibraphonist ever to play the instrument…. The book chronicles Terry's musical contributions, plus personal and hilarious anecdotes, quirks, and attributes of many of the jazz and music personalities he has worked with and associated with over his long and brilliant career." - Woody Herman Society

"Most entertaining! Never shy with his point of view, [Gibbs] comments on fellow-musicians with a welcome mix of frankness and generosity." - Jazz Rag

"Full of humour, insight, pathos and musical revelation…Most readers will find much of value in Gibb's memoir." - Jazz Journal International

"Gibbs…is a national treasure, and his book…provides invaluable insight into what it was like to live and play with performers ranging from swingers Benny Goodman and Buddy Rich to boppers like Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Bud Powell." - JazzTimes Magazine

"One of the most entertaining pieces of oral history I have read in a long time…Great stuff! A must." - Just Jazz

"A story that ebbs and flows like a good jazz improvisation...a never-a-dull-moment view of the jazz life – Gibbs seems to have known or played with everyone of consequence...Hard to beat." - Jazz Uk

"...a good read!" - Jazz News

"...Gibbs' book provides absorbing reading, whether he's recounting humorous show business experiences, giving his take on racial discrimination or describing his handling of stars' ego "issues"...Gibbs provides good lessons in musical choices and human relations." - All About Jazz