Lexington Swings to the Tunes of Classic Jazz with Dick Goodwin’s Big Band
Lexington was in high spirits on Thursday night, resonating with the rich brassy undertones of classic jazz and more at Chayz Lounge on Meeting Street. Celebrated for its vibrant ambience, the venue hosted an unforgettable event featuring the Dick Goodwin Big Band.
Unleashing the Jazz Experience
Assisted by the gifted vocalist Kristi Kirk Heard, the 12-piece ensemble led by Dr. Dick Goodwin, swept the audience off their feet with their “Big Band Experience.” The group unleashed their vast repertoire ranging from all-time favorites like “St. James Infirmary,” “The Very Thought Of You,” and “Come Rain or Come Shine,” to eccentric arrangements of contemporary tunes by The Beatles, Earth Wind & Fire, Chick Corea, Stevie Wonder, and Dionne Warwick, and more.
An Ode to Dr. Dick Goodwin
This event provided the perfect opportunity to recognize Dr. Goodwin’s remarkable contributions to the jazz world and beyond. Known for masterfully steering his big band, many fans might be unaware of Goodwin’s multifaceted persona; he has also made his mark as a noted classical composer, contributing numerous pieces such as “Streets of Laredo Variations” for solo cello and string orchestra and “Overture 1801-2001″ for the University of South Carolina bicentennial celebration.
Away from the limelight, Goodwin has served as a distinguished professor emeritus in the music department at the University of South Carolina. He joined the university in 1973 to pioneer a doctoral program in composition and established the theory-composition area. Additionally, he directed the University Symphony for multiple seasons and was awarded the highest honor in the arts by the State of South Carolina, the 2001 Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Individual Artist award.
The Legacy of the Dick Goodwin Big Band
The Dick Goodwin Big Band traces its roots back to 1973 when Goodwin was a faculty member at the University of Texas in Austin. The group accompanied him to Columbia when he took the step to establish a doctoral program at USC. Astonishingly, many original members have been performing with Goodwin for several decades, which includes their drummer holding an impressive run of over 50 years.
Goodwin has composed over 900 arrangements for his band. Their overarching, eclectic repertoire covers the Big Band era, the Dixieland era, Swing era, the beach music era, and other current pop material. Truly multi-genre masters, their performance in Lexington amplified their musical prowess and demonstrated Goodwin’s prominent place in the South Carolinian music scene.
Thursday night was much more than an opportunity for the audience to relish the performance of an experienced and confident big band ensemble. It was an occasion to appreciate and celebrate the impressive work of Dr. Dick Goodwin, a prominent figure shaping our rich musical landscape.
