Gordon Goodwin
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Gordon L. Goodwin (born 1954) is an American studio pianist, saxophonist, composer, arranger and conductor. He now lives in Southern California with his wife Lisa, daughter Madison and two sons, Trevor and Garrison.
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[edit] Early years
Gordon Goodwin was born in Wichita, Kansas.
Gordon Goodwin began his musical education at Cal State Northridge with Joel Leach and Bill Calkins. He wrote his first big band chart when he was in the 7th grade, called "Hang Loose". After graduation he was recruited to Louie Bellson's big band, where he played with the likes of Pete Christlieb and Don Menza. He went on to play under Les Hooper and Grant Geissman.
[edit] Big Phat Band
Since then, Goodwin has risen to prominence in the American studio music scene with his big band, The Big Phat Band.[1] In the band, Goodwin plays piano and occasionally both the soprano and tenor saxophone. This band brings together the talents of such players as Wayne Bergeron, Eric Marienthal and Andy Martin. These detailed music charts are all written or adapted by Gordon Goodwin. Several of his songs are plays on old jazz tunes: a prime example is "Sing, Sang, Sung" which mimics the famous Louis Prima song "Sing, Sing, Sing". Under Goodwin's direction, the band has released five albums: "Swingin' For the Fences", which received two Grammy nominations, and "XXL", which received three. "The Phat Pack" was released on June 13, 2006, and "Bah, Humduck! a Looney Tunes Christmas (Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture)" was also released in 2006. "Act Your Age", was released on September 30, 2008. Their most recent album, "That's How We Roll", was released on April 12, 2011. Goodwin won the 2012 Grammy for Best Instrumental Arrangement for his Arrangement of George Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue.
Gordon Goodwin's music with the Big Phat Band is distributed by Silverline Records.
[edit] Popular culture
As a film scorer, Goodwin has worked on such films as FernGully: The Last Rainforest, The Majestic, Glory Road, National Treasure, Remember the Titans, Armageddon, Star Trek: Nemesis, The Incredibles, Hot Rod, Get Smart, Snakes on a Plane, Race to Witch Mountain, Coach Carter, Bad Boys II, Con Air, Gone in 60 Seconds, the classic cult film Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, and Enemy of the State. His work in television includes music for the TV series Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain, Tom and Jerry, Histeria!, Road Rovers, and Freakazoid!. His recording history includes performances with artists as diverse as Mel Tormé, Ray Charles and Christina Aguilera. Goodwin himself has received many individual awards, including a recent Grammy for Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement for his work on the feature film The Incredibles.[1] He is also a three time Emmy winner.
Goodwin has also been a guest conductor for such groups as the London Symphony Orchestra and Seattle Symphony Orchestra.
[edit] Sheet music
His music is published by companies such as Hal Leonard, Alfred Publishing [1], and Walrus Music.
[edit] Discography
The Big Phat Band has five albums currently released:
- Swingin' For The Fences (Released January 3, 2002)
- XXL (Released September 18, 2005)
- The Phat Pack (Released April 15, 2006)
- Bah, Humduck! a Looney Tunes Christmas (Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture) (Released 2006)
- Act Your Age (Released September 30, 2008)
- That's How We Roll (Released April 12, 2011)
- Grade 3 featured on the Shine On! Volume One album along with Tierney Sutton. (Released September 30, 2011)
- Play With Me featured on the Shine On! Volume One album along with Amber Lily. (Released September 30, 2011)[2]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Ruhlmann, William. "Gordon Goodwin: Biography". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/gordon-goodwin-p6598/biography. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
- ^ "Julian Lennon, Tin Cup Gypsy, Donna Burke, Mark Ballas, Maxi Priest, Wendy Parr, Monday Michiru, Amber Lily, Tierney Sutton, Rie Fu and Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band – Shine On! Songs Volume One". Discogs. 7 October 2011. http://www.discogs.com/Julian-Lennon-Tin-Cup-Gypsy-Donna-Burke-Mark-Ballas-Maxi-Priest-Wendy-Parr-Monday-Michiru-Amber-Lily/release/3219282. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
