Anthology

Gordon Goodwin is a Grammy award-winning American studio pianist, saxophonist, composer, arranger and conductor best known for his work on films like “The Incredibles.”

He has also has worked on many other film and TV shows such as the new Sci-Fi flick “I Am Number Four.”

His “Big Phat Band” is an 18-piece Jazz ensemble that uses a similar instrumentation to the traditional big bands of the 1930s and 40s, but with more contemporary sound, highlighted by driving rhythms, fast tempos and extreme virtuosity.

The end result is an eclectic, intelligent and high-energy brand of music that marries the best elements of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, John Barry and other big-band and orchestral jazz giants of the past 70 years as well as Earth Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, and Tower of Power.

The band features some of California’s top studio musicians including trumpet star Wayne Bergeron, sax guru Eric Marienthal and trombonist supreme Andy Martin.
Goodwin got his start playing with drum legend Louis Bellson and has also worked with Take 6, Gerald Albright, Chick Corea, James Moody, Lee Ritenour, Mel Torme, Johnny Mathis, Dave Koz, Marcus Miller, Brian McKnight and Gil Scott-Heron.

Goodwin first assembled his Big Phat Band in 2000, an ironic starting point for an 18-piece big band, given that the fleeting neo-swing craze of the late 1990s was just winding down. The Big Phat Band”s journey takes a new turn with the April 12, 2011, release of “That’s How We Roll,” the group’s sixth recording overall.