Jazz Reviews : The Big Sounds of Gordon Goodwin

It may be that the kindest thing one can do for Gordon Goodwin is to refrain from calling his energetic gang of players a big band. Given the negative commercial stigma attached to those words, it’s probably better to just say that the 10-piece ensemble he brought into Bon Appetit on Wednesday night sounded like one of the most exciting groups in town.

The truth, however, is that Goodwin’s compositions and players did exactly what big band music once did, but hasn’t much done lately: synthesized the many currents of music taking place at any given time into a collective expression that is topical, entertaining and creative.

Virtually every piece Goodwin’s band performed in the evening’s late set was filled with a lively spirit, bright and airy ensemble voicings, and solid soloing. Opening with a crisply rhythmic “Over And Over, Again And Again,” Goodwin quickly shifted into the samba rhythms of “Meet Me at the Carnival” and a lovingly conceived to Bill Evans titled “For Bill.”

Lisa Goodwin, the leader’s wife, was featured on a set of three numbers, singing with a lovely dark-toned timbre and a strong blues phrasing--most notably so on “Since I Fell For You” and a Goodwin & Goodwin original, “I Had a Dream We Said Goodby Last Night.”

Goodwin’s innate sense of whimsy, one of his many appealing qualities, dominated “Down the Middle to Worthy,” a tribute to the L.A. Laker forward which was written, predictably and humorously, on the chord changes of “Sweet Georgia Brown.” A tribute to a different kind of sporting character, “Surf Dude,” was almost as much fun.

Virtually every member of the band soloed on one piece or another. Among the most outstanding examples were Clay Jenkins’ eccentric, Swing-inspired trumpet improvisations, Dan Higgins’ hot alto saxophone lines, and Goodwin’s blues-based tenor solos.

But the evening’s real star was Goodwin’s belief that large instrumental ensemble music (for lack of a less problematic label) is still alive and kicking. Call it by whatever name you like, Gordon Goodwin’s band and the music he writes for it are something very special, indeed.