[1][2] Among others, Gibbs is known for working in jazz with drummer Ronald Shannon Jackson[3] and guitarist Sonny Sharrock,[1] and in rock music with Rollins Band[4] and Arto Lindsay.

[5] He is a member of Harriet Tubman,[6] with whom he was included in the New York Times' best performances of 2017,[7] and Body Meπa, recognized in Bandcamp Daily's best experimental music of 2024.

"[22] Gibbs formed the Punk-Funk All-Stars with James Blood Ulmer, Defunkt leader Joseph Bowie, Vernon Reid and Ronald Shannon Jackson.

Gibbs' other projects include Melvin Runs the Hoodoo Down with guitarist Pete Cosey and keyboard player John Medeski;[1] the Geechee Seminoles with percussionist David Pleasant;[25] Zig Zag Power Trio with guitarist Vernon Reid and drummer Will Calhoun;[1] God Particle with cosmologist/saxophonist Stephon Alexander, David Pleasant, and other musicians;[26] and Melvin Gibbs Magnum.

[27] With Defunkt With Rollins Band With Jean-Paul Bourelly With DJ Logic With Ronald Shannon Jackson With Arto Lindsay With Marisa Monte With Sonny Sharrock With Moreno Veloso With Vitamin C With John Zorn With others