Bill Robinson from the Kingsport Times-News called me late Friday to tell me the Charles Goodwin Orchestra was playing their last performance at Kingsport’s First Baptist Church fellowship hall.
Charlie and his extraordinary band have performed all across the United States. After 40 years of touring, the guys were closing the book on a generation of big band experiences and I was excited to be part of the closing chapter.
As a musician, you stand on the shoulders of those who inspire you. Elton John was my first influence to play the piano. Since then, I’ve added a host of artists who continue to guide the compass for my own journey – including Charles Goodwin.
I’m not sure when I first heard about Charlie. It must have been high school when Bill Canny, band director of Central High School introduced our class to jazz. My good friend Jim Thweatt and his mother were big fans too.
While attending East Tennessee State University, our paths would cross again. Albeit, for just one hour in another classroom, but this personal introduction continues to influence me.
Charlie was invited to teach our improvisation studies in the music department and each of us were invited to play with his combo to explore the freedoms which personify jazz. Stepping up to the bandstand, I was nervous and almost certain the notes I was stretching for must have seemed feeble to the master with such elegant taste and grace on the piano.
I arrived at the fellowship hall of Kingsport’s First Baptist Church during their Christmas Dinner. The room was decorated with color as poinsettias and candles splashed the room with an amber glow among 300 well-dressed guests in attendance.
Fred Goodwin, Charlie’s son and bassist for the band met me at the door. Charlie was by his side dressed in a regal black tuxedo and underneath – a red sequined vest. We shook hands and I confessed how important it was for me to hear him play again tonight.
To my surprise, Fred invited me to join the band for dinner. He was glad they had a separate room too because he grinned about being in a church admitting, “You never know what Dad will say at any given time.”
Fred mentioned Charlie was nervous about this evening’s performance and chose not to eat before the show. Instead, he looked at everyone, spread his hands in the shape of a large jar and said, “What I need is a shot heard round the world.”
Over a catered holiday plate, I enjoyed the presence of music educators from all across the region. Most of the guys are either practicing or retired band directors. There were plenty of stories across the table including thoughts about their current high school fruit sales to memories of 40 years on the road.
The original name of the group in 1948 was “The Kingsmen.” The namesake was Jerry King, a drummer who arranged all the music.
“When we started playing, Boogie Woogie was what everyone was listening to,” said Jack Vest who has played tenor sax from the beginning.
Charlie commented about the biggest difference about playing music then and now. “It took real musicians to play it.”
He had recently watched the Country Music Awards and made no hesitation while tapping on the table to a rap pulse, “How can you give an award to a country artist who plays nothing more than a monotonous rap song?”
The guys in the band have a playful sense of camaraderie and sharp wit as they exchanged stories like sages.
When asked about the last performance, Bob Yance admitted, “When you’re too old to stand up for an ad-lib solo, it’s time to hang it up.”
It’s unlikely Charlie will be closing the cover on his piano anytime soon. Music is part of his DNA. In fact, there were three generations of Goodwins in the room tonight. Fred on bass and his grandson Nathan who plays trumpet. Both are members of a large church orchestra in Johnson City.
Besides the family connection, Charlie’s music has spread into the classroom with some of the best educators and musicians in the region including Rick Simerly.
Simerly is the Professor of Jazz Studies at Milligan College and one of the best trombonists in nation according to critics. When he plays, there’s an intimate connection with an instrument most often suited for a parade. In the hands of this artist though, it’s an embracing voice with a range and distinction unlike anything I’ve heard before.
It wasn’t long before some of the players wanted to warm up their instruments and get in tune.
As they made their way to the stage, I was inspired by a large black leather tome engraved with the words, “Charles Goodwin Orchestra.” Fred told me this book represents the entire library of Goodwin music and most all of the pages were scribed by Charlie himself.
I was fortunate enough to find a seat on the front row and a small gathering of young children scattered to the front of the bandstand as the host announced, “Many times, your greatest treasures are right around you.”
With that – Charles stood – faced the band and with no hesitation saying, “Two bars.” He snapped his fingers and the orchestra set the mood with a Christmas opener – Winter Wonderland.
There’s nothing quite like the music of a big band orchestra. Four saxophones, three trumpets, one trombone, a bassist and drummer with Charlie on grand piano can consume a room with a warm acoustic envelope. At moments it reels like a sleigh ride slowing to a whisper and then romps like a French Quarter parade accented by the thrill of a gospel shout. More important – it’s a joyful conversation with great musicians acting as one.
After the first song, Charlie rose from the piano and walked to the microphone to welcome the guests with this introduction. “Big band music lasted for about 10 years. It was the greatest music ever written and it even has lyrics you can quote in Sunday School.”
Like most performers his age, Charlie might be a little slow getting to the stage, but when the spotlight’s on – the stage is a fountain of youth.
He continued, “Here’s a song that Liza Minnelli performed. Frank Sinatra made a fortune on it and we never made a dime.”
After a moment of laughter and applause, Eddie Dalton, band director for Colonial Heights Middle School and drummer for the band, kicked off the downbeat for this popular show-tune, ‘New York, New York.’ When the band joined in for the chorus, Charlie’s style sprinkles their songs with delicate flourishes on the high notes and a rich blend of two-handed chords all across the keyboard.
As the music continued, the band traversed musical styles from dance, waltz and cha-chas – each one proceeded by a story and introductions which included;
David King – Alto from Knoxville
Bob Yance – Tenor from Kingsort
Jack Vest – Tenor sax from Kingsport
Lowell Powell – Baritone from Kingsport
Nathan Goodwin – Trumpet from Elizabethton
Mike Thomas – Trumpet from Morristown
Buddy Stewart – Trumpet from Norton
Rick Simerly – Trombone from Elizabethton
Fred Goodwin – Bass from Kingsport
Eddie Dalton, Drums from Kingsport
Many times during the show, individual players would stand up for a solo and exhibit an improvisation which exhibits their own charisma and experience.
In those moments, I recalled of Jack Kerouc’s quote from ‘On The Road’ when he was listening to George Shearing’s band in San Francisco.
“Every now and then a clear harmonic cry gave new suggestions of a tune that would someday be the only tune in the world and would raise men’s soul to joy. They found it, they lost it, they wrestled for it, the found it again, they laughed, they moaned – and Dean sweated at the table and told them to go, go, go!”
By the time “In the Mood” started with its familar arpeggio, the band rose again with their instruments in salute and the crowd said the same thing.
Looking back on this performance, there’s something completely unique about this experience and the end of this era for The Charles Goodwin Orchestra.
When Charlie and the band began to play “Someone to Watch Over Me” it’s easy to imagine a crowded dance floor flowing with long evening gowns, tuxedos and crystal champagne glasses.
As the trombonist solos, the music embraces the crowd and time stands still in an intimate musical setting – melody, harmony, rhythm and an attention to detail that makes big band a music that will always define a generation – the greatest generation.
There’s no doubt the music of The Charle’s Goodwin Orchestra will play on for years to come. He continues to inspire a legacy of new players and like the folks in Kerouac’s troop – I concur. Go Charlie go!