In a previous column, I wrote about the man most responsible for the big band era, Benny Goodman. This week, itâs all about the man I consider the BG successor, bringing big band into the 21st century: Gordon Goodwin and his Big Phat Band.
Letâs get right into it with a sample of what this band does to classics like Gerswinâs “Rhapsody in Blue,” which you will easily find on YouTube. The virtuoso styling of clarinetist Sal Lozano and trombonist Andy Martin shows off the individual talents typical of this band. But, donât just focus on the individuals, listen to the spot on execution by the band as an ensemble. They are the successors of the great players of the ’40s.
When I listen to Big Phat Band, itâs like dĂ©jĂ vu as I canât help but have flashbacks to the sound of Stan Kentonâs band in the 1950s. It sounds as though Goodwin was greatly influenced by Kenton, which accents the notion that Kenton was ahead of his time. I find it fun to bounce from Goodwinâs music to Kentonâs and hear the similarities. But Goodwin doesnât rip off Kentonâs music, he takes it into the future, sort of like traveling in a musical time machine.
Friday, July 20 through August 5 â Elgin Community College presents âYouâre a Good Man, Charlie Brown.â For tickets and schedule, call 847-622-0300.
Sunday, July 29, 1 p.m. – The Sun City Swing Band, âLetâs Dance!â will perform on stage at Algonquin Commons for free as part of the summer music program offered by the mall.
Goodwinâs band is made to be heard full bore, not as background music. It demands your full attention and begs for the best in sound reproduction devices. When listening to one of this bandâs tunes, donât short-change yourself. Let it rip!
Here are just a few of my favorites for you to find on YouTube:
“Sing, Sang, Sung” â the bandâs take on the BG/Krupa classic. Are these guys on steroids, or what? Wow!
“Count Bubbaâs Revenge” â wild section solos throughout, especially saxes and bones.
“Hunting Wabbits” â interpretative jazz at its best.
“Attack of the Killer Tomatoes” â features two instruments that we donât often get to hear from as soloists; baritone sax and bassbone.
Do yourself a favor and soak in a few of Gordon Goodwinâs masterpieces!
That’s “All That Jazz and More” for now. My next column will focus on another jazz legend, the one and only Louis (Satchmo)Armstrong. Please send your comments to me at greengeezer9@comcast.net. I’d love to hear from you with your comments and suggestions for future columns.
