Return to RobinFrederick.com

* - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - *

STRATEGY FOR THE DAY: trespass freely

I went to see Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band a couple evenings ago at the Jazz Bakery here in Los Angeles. It was fantastic! I hugely admire the great arrangers of the swing era and the way they used their horn sections though I admit I don't listen to big band recordings as much as I used to. But LIVE big bands are another story. Those saxes, trumpets, and 'bones really MOVE AIR. Sitting a couple rows back from the stage is a physical thrill, an addicting experience. Before the days of hi-decibel electric guitars, there were the great swing bands. Like a massive, rolling locomotive, the sound sweeps out across the room, lifts you up out of your shoes, and knocks your socks off! A great arranger sculpts air waves.

Gordon Goodwin is one of those great arrangers - creative, solid, lots of surprises - and his Big Phat Band includes some the finest musicians in the business. Gordon himself is superb on piano and sax. The sax section standout is Eric Marienthal, a tremendous player with big heart and energy and, of course, astonishing chops. The featured trombonist is Andy Martin. I have NEVER heard or seen trombone played like that. It's like listening to Jaco Pastorius play bass - you just didn't know the instrument could sound like THAT! Anchoring the trumpet section is Wayne Bergeron, a truly astonishing player - he swung through chord progressions like a monkey on speed. And this is not to slight the rest of the players who are all phenomenal. (Special kudos to Ray Brinker on dums who was outstanding for the entire hour and a half performance!) My friend Grant Geissman was playing electric guitar. Up against that wall of horn sections, the guitar doesn't stand a chance but Grant took a blistering solo on the last tune that brought down the house.

The full big band sound includes 5 saxes, 4 trombones and 4 trumpets plus piano, bass, drums, and guitar. I don't know how Gordon gets all these musicians together to play for an evening since they are all in-demand session players who tour with their own bands. It's a treat and absolutely worth it. The first show on Monday night was sold out in advance and there was a long line for the second show when I left.

To hear BPB music and find out more, visit

Gordon Goodwin's web site.

Copyright 2004 Robin Frederick. All rights reserved.

Read A Brief History Of Love Songs by Robin Frederick at the Sound Experience Music web site.