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Gene Fribis (piano) — Balancing sports, music and education has been a challenge
for Gene Fribis for most of his life.
A native of St. Louis, Gene grew up in Affton playing baseball,
basketball, football and running track.
At the same time, Gene’s interest in piano and jazz grew from his
first lesson at age ten to the point of playing in a five-piece wedding
band in South St. Louis throughout high school. The band was never short of work, playing
nearly every weekend for three years before Gene left town to attend the
University of Missouri in Columbia.
Majoring in Civil Engineering and being a member of the university track
team left little time for piano. Thus
began a 27-year hiatus from music before Gene hooked up with a local big
band in 1996.
After graduating from Mizzou in 1972, Gene earned his Master’s degree from
the University of Missouri at Rolla and began his career in Civil
Engineering. In 1979 Gene founded
Fribis Engineering, Inc. in Arnold, Missouri where the firm remains located
today. Maxing out at 20 employees,
Gene now shares management responsibility with his son Jonathan. Gene has been an active participant in
Jefferson County civic organizations and has served as president of the
Arnold Rotary Club and the Jefferson County Growth and Development
Association.
Gene’s interest in big bands started in grade school listening to his
parents’ records of Glenn Miller and expanded to all the great jazz players
of the 50’s and 60’s, particularly the Basie band, Duke Ellington, Buddy
Rich and Dave Brubeck. His favorite
piano player is the late Oscar Peterson.
“His technique and speed are incredible”, says Gene. Gene’s introduction to the Gateway City Big
Band came through an
invitation from Mike Bruce, the rhythm section leader. “Mike remains my music conscience. I listen to his advice because he
understands exactly how a piano should contribute to a big band. I feel privileged to play with and learn
from such talented musicians, plus they are great people and have become
good friends.”
Gene and wife, Susan, have seven children and two granddaughters. They live
in Imperial just south of Kimmswick overlooking the Mississippi River.
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