Gordon Goodwin (1954-2025)

Gordon Goodwin, influential American saxophonist and famous bandleader of Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, has died aged seventy. 

Born in 1954 in Wichita, Kansas, Goodwin showed an early gift for composition and wrote his first big-band chart whilst still in school. He later studied at California State University and after graduating began a career that would encompass studio work, film and television scoring, and his own acclaimed ensembles.

Goodwin’s professional journey took him into the vibrant Los Angeles music scene, where he began working as a musician at California’s Disneyland before moving into film and television as a composer and arranger. His credits ranged from animated features to major studio productions, bringing his music to global audiences. The skills he developed fed directly into his jazz writing, culminating in his decision to form Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band in 1999. The band consisted of an eighteen-piece ensemble that blended classic swing with contemporary jazz-funk energy, and quickly garnered significant critical acclaim.

Under his leadership, the Big Phat Band became a defining presence in modern jazz, his intricate arrangements, bold harmonies, and electrifying live performances making them one of the most influential big bands of the twenty-first century. Albums such as Swingin’ for the Fences, XXL, and The Phat Pack earned the ensemble global recognition and a devoted following. Goodwin also received multiple Grammy Awards and Daytime Emmys for his compositions and arrangements, critics praising him for his ability to bridge across a variety of genres and styles. 

Equally important to him was music education: his compositions and arrangements became staples in schools and universities worldwide, and he remained deeply committed to mentoring young musicians, his passion for music outreach helping to shape future generations of jazz musicians.

Goodwin died in Los Angeles on 8th December 2025, from complications of pancreatic cancer, just weeks shy of his 71st birthday. He is survived by his wife, Vangie Gunn-Goodwin, his mother Alice, his children Madison, Garett, Trevor, and Garrison, and his stepchildren Levi and Aria.

Gordon Goodwin - A selected discography