Hit the Ground Running
Gordon GoodwinDuration: 06:32
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Listening to Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band is like opening a cool birthday gift – it’s wrapped shiny on the outside, with just enough rattle when you shake it, and you want to play with it for hours. In terms of "shiny," Goodwin’s 18-piece big band tends to explode from beat one. They combine traditional, up-tempo swing feels with funk, R&B and rock beats. The "rattling" inside comprises the technically demanding runs and sweet solos highlighted in his pieces. Finally, the band’s four Grammy awards and 20 nominations testify to the lasting power of the big phat sound. Goodwin was also known for collaboration with many giants in jazz, his efforts in jazz education, scores for film and daytime animation TV, and his funky sound on keyboards and sax. He passed away on December 8, 2025.
Posted by Scott Lichtman.
