25 YEARS OF PHATNESS: A Tribute to Gordon Goodwin

After a rockin’, bold splash of brassy fanfare, the audience at the Fred Kavli Theater eager to celebrate the life of one of contemporary music’s most storied and versatile composer/arrangers heard a colorful intro from the recently departed - but very much there in spirit – legend himself. With percussive brass punches chiming in for emphasis after each phrase, they heard, “Good evening, everybody. This is Gordon Goodwin and I really want to thank you for coming tonight. Hold onto your hats ‘cause tonight’s gonna be a smokin’ performance by one of the best big bands on the planet earth – that’s Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band!”

Then the fiery 21-piece ensemble got down to business on his vibrant, high- octane arrangement of a song whose title says it all about its vibe and intention, “T.O.P. Adjacent,” complete with one of sax great Eric Marienthal’s trademark alto solos.

Though held on what would have been Goodwin’s 71^st birthday and only three weeks after his passing from pancreatic cancer, the affair was joyous, lighthearted and sorrow free. The freewheeling show was all about profound gratitude for a life well lived, a multi-faceted, multi-award winning career that inspired countless thousands of fans throughout the world and, perhaps most important of all, an explosive, eclectic, life affirming show featuring a star studded guest list of jazz luminaries, including Patti Austin, Eddie Daniels, Lee Ritenour, Take 6 and a heartfelt, deeply passionate closing set by Goodwin’s beloved wife and powerhouse singer Vangie Gunn. Proceeds from the evening went to the CancerBlows/Ryan Anthony Foundation and cancer research – and many in the crowd wore the purple support ribbons that were handed out in the lobby.

Though best known in some circles as the leader of the Big Phat Band, the four-time Grammy winner (out of 25 nominations) and three time Daytime Emmy winner was also a major figure in Hollywood contributing arrangements and scores to over 80 productions – including Pixar's The Incredibles and Ratatouille, Disney's The Lion King, and cult classics like Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. In addition to working with legendary artists like Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Christina Aguilera and Johnny Mathis, he was a Disney Legend who created music for beloved Disney Parks parades and shows and composed and arranged for numerous Disney films and shows (Hocus Pocus 2, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Animaniacs, etc.) Fun fact: Goodwin started as a musician and arranger at Disneyland, performing in the park and contributing to its musical magic.

Punctuated by spoken word photo and video montages tracing his origin story as a young musical genius, his flourishing, influential career and his beautiful relationship with Angie, the night showcased the intricacies and dynamism of Goodwin’s trademark Phat Band aesthetic on key tracks from throughout the group’s storied 25 year history, journeying the crowd from the boisterous, sensually charged Latin romp “Garaje Gato” and spirited swing through “Rhapsody in Blue” through the snazzy, scampering “Hunting Rabbits.” Featured soloists on the band only performances included flutist Sal Lozano, trombonists Rya Dragon, Andy Martin and Charlie Morillas, bassist Kevin Axt, saxophonist Brian Scanlon, clarinetist Anibal Seminario, trumpeter Wayne Bergeron and pianist Quinn Johnson.

Had it just been the Phat Band performing, that would have been sufficient to convey Goodwin’s suppleness and versatility. Considering that some of his most exhilarating arrangements came in service to so many jazz greats, however, it made sense to share some of those via two song spotlight performances by vocal great Patti Austin (splendidly rousing renditions of “Lullaby of Birdland” and “Mack the Knife”), clarinet master Eddie Daniels (the feisty, hipped up Benny Goodman re-imagining “Sing, Sang, Sung,” the barn burning Daniels/Goodwin collab “Under the Wire”) and guitar virtuoso Lee Ritenour’s snappy, soulful Goodwin arranged originals “LP” and “Stone Flower.” A capella gospel legends Take 6 followed with a unique three song putting their inimitable stamp on the sweet and lyrical “Family of Love,” “It Was a Very Good Year” as a snappy swinger and, perfect for the post-holiday time, “Do You Hear What I Hear?”

After a beautiful montage showing the enduring love between Goodwin and Gunn and his effervescent personality, she took the show home with power, pride and emotional intensity, evoking strong audience reaction for the heart-tugging “The Very Thought of You,” Goodwin’s soaring wordless vocal gem “Change Is Good” (featuring a video of Goodwin playing the piano solo) and the rousing anthem “Shine” which put an emphatic “go forth in love and musical power” coda on the spectacular evening.