Bill Goodwin #54 - Phil Woods - Keith Jarrett -Gary Burton
100 drummers I’ve seen and heard in my lifetime
Bill Goodwin (1942)
I discovered Bill Goodwin on several Gary Burton records. His touch, swing and feel, loose but articulate and precise.
A favorite is the Gary Burton & Keith Jarrett record with Steve Swallow-bass, Sam Brown-guitar and Bill on drums. In the 70s, a few of those Burton Jarrett tunes were popping up in the Jazz Fake books. I’m sure the Berklee connection was where it started.
I saw Bill Goodwin “live in person” with the Phil Woods group. That group included Hal Galper-piano, Steve Gilmore-bass, Phil Woods and Bill Goodwin.
They played downtown, in Orlando. The room has horrible acoustics. Very early in the concert, Phil requested the sound system be shut off completly. I thought it was great, hearing them without amplification.
Bill Goodwin is a true jazz drummer. Watching him play without tension, swing the band at low volume was a drum lesson. I’ve only seen a few drummers, with his quality and command of the drum set, in a small group. He made it look easy.
Bill Goodwin’s recording discography is not that lengthy. As a leader he has several projects available. Other artist he’s recorded with include: Mose Allison, Hal Galper, Paul Horn, Gabor Szabo.
Bill Goodwin was producer and drummer for the Phil Woods Quartet, 40 years, winning three Grammy Awards.