Photo: Rex Bullington / CC BY-SA 4.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Gordon Goodwin is credited as a composer, pianist and jazz musician. Born on December 30, 1954, Gordon Goodwin is from Wichita, Kansas, United States. That works out to 71 years old in 2026. Schooling on record includes Bonita High School and California State University, Northridge. Awards on record include Grammy Awards.
My Take
Gordon Goodwin is, to my ears, one of the great keepers of the big-band flame. As a pianist, saxophonist, composer, arranger and conductor leading his Big Phat Band, he proved that a large ensemble can still hit hard in the modern era. Four Grammys, three Daytime Emmys and twenty-five nominations are not flukes; they reflect a writer who fuses precision with genuine playfulness. I love arrangements that are dense yet swing, and his do exactly that. He passed in late 2025, but those charts will keep getting pulled out and played, which is the best tribute a composer can earn.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Gordon Goodwin
- Name (Japanese)
- ゴードン・グッドウィン
- Reading
- ごーどん・ぐっどうぃん
- Born
- December 30, 1954 (age 71)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Capricorn / Horse
- Origin
- Wichita, Kansas, United States
- Occupation
- composer / pianist / jazz musician / conductor / saxophonist
2. Background
- High school
- Bonita High School
- University
- California State University, Northridge
Awards & achievements
- Grammy Awards
3. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Life in the Bubble | — |
4. Links
- Official sitehttp://www.gordongoodwin.com
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon%20Goodwin
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1538017
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Gordon Goodwin born?
Born December 30, 1954 (age 71).
Where is Gordon Goodwin from?
Gordon Goodwin is from Wichita, Kansas, United States.
What does Gordon Goodwin do?
Gordon Goodwin works as composer, pianist, jazz musician, conductor, saxophonist.
What is Gordon Goodwin known for?
Notable works include Life in the Bubble.
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