By Anita Baker
Dick Goodwin on keyboard. Photo by Joel Gibson, Hoke Studio & Gallery Dr. Gordon ( Dick) Goodwin, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of South Carolina, has brought the sounds of his unique big band ensemble, “the Dick Goodwin big Band” to Midlands’ audiences since the early 1970s. Before joining the faculty of the Music School at the University of South Carolina in 1973, Dr. Goodwin taught music composition and theory at the University of Texas where he founded and led the jazz program. in Texas, he was asked to join a jazz band inspired by the American big Band era but with a different instrumental combination. this band featured more brass instruments, creating a different sound that Dr. Goodwin, a trumpet player, was interested in working with.
Upon moving to Columbia, S. C. and the USC, Dr. Goodwin formed “ the Dick Goodwin big Band” with the same, unique instrumentation. Because music is not written for this combination of instruments, Dr. Goodwin has written over 900 original arrangements through the years that comprise “the Dick Goodwin big Band” repertoire.
Dr. Goodwin says he usually arranges a new piece for each of the band’s performance and sometimes up to 10 pieces for a special performance, such as the recent 2011 New Year’s Eve concert at the Newberry Opera House.
“ the Dick Goodwin big Band” features some of the most respected players in the Columbia area: USC music professors, SC Philharmonic members, and top area music educators.
Band members include Doug Graham (clarinet and saxophone) from Mississippi, who received two degrees from the University of Texas and taught in Texas and Louisiana before coming to USC to join the Music School faculty in 1975. He is a concert artist, jazz performer, studio musician and clinician, and is the principal clarinetist and regular soloist with the SC Philharmonic Orchestra.
Jim Hall ( drums) taught performance at USC and has performed with a wide range of artists such as the Ray Price Road Show, the North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band, the Palmetto Pans Steel Drum Band, the South Carolina Philharmonic, Chamber and Opera orchestras, Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Marion McPartland, Barabara Eden, Billy Eckstine, Jimmy Dean, Anita Bryant, and Rich little.
Terry Trentham (bass) contributes many of the compositions and arrangements for “the Dick Goodwin Quintet” and “the Dick Goodwin big Band.” He is from Covington, Tennessee, and holds degrees in music education from Murray State (Kentucky) and from the University of Texas. He has taught in public schools and, as a free-lance musician, has appeared with Bob Hope, Jack Benny, the Platters, Cab Calloway, Barbara Eden, Rich little, Ray Price, and Toni Tennillle.
Charlie Polk (trumpet) has performed at Spoleto Festival USA, is a member of the SC Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Darius Rucker Band. He has played lead trumpet with numerous other performers such as Dizzy Gillespie, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Johnny Mathis, Rich little, the Temptations, Andy Williams, Barbara Eden, Cab Calloway, Lee Greenwood, Lou Rawls, Nancy Wilson, Olivia Newton John, Sandy Duncan, Louie Bellson, Guy and Ralna, and traveling shows such as Disney on Ice, Chicago, the Ringling Brothers, and the Broadway in Columbia series. Charlie teaches music in Lexington, S.C.
Dwight Spencer (guitar) is from Greenville, S.C., and received his music degrees from USC. He is a composer and active studio musician. He has recorded with Maurice Williams ( Zodiacs) and Dennis Williams (Temptations). He has performed live with Randy Becker, Marion McPartland, Marvin Stamm, Bill Watrous, Louis Bellson, the Lettermen, and Scott Record.
David Allison (trumpet) earned music degrees from Ithaca College in New York and at USC. He maintained a busy free- lance schedule in both the classical and commercial fields. He has performed with orchestras in New York, Kansas, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Georgia. He is Principal Trumpet Emeritus with the SC Philharmonic Orchestra. his performance credits include the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Temptations, the Drifters, Chuck Mangione, Natalie Cole, Henry Mancini, Bob Hope, Paul Anka, Dizzy Gillespie, Doc Severinson, and Olivia Newton John. He is the band director at Spring Valley High School and Summitt Middle School.
Bruce Clark ( trombone) is originally from Moultrie, Georgia, but grew up in Cheraw, S.C. He has performed at Spoleto Festival USA and at Saint Augustine Jazz Festival. He has performed with Bob Hope, Andy Williams, Johnny Mathis, Nancy Wilson, Cab Calloway, Dizzy Gillespie, and Ray Charles.
Ashley Fleshman ( trombone) is a former band director at Middleton Hand School and uses his talents vocationally. He performs in Columbia with a turn of the century salon orchestra, concert bands, big bands, and church ensembles. He is a member of Dem Bones Trombone Quartet that performs in nursing homes and other gatherings. He has performed with Les and Larry Elgart, Johnny Mathis, Rich little, and Ray Charles. He holds the longevity record with the Dick Goodwin big Band.
Ed Craft (bass trombone) is from Greenville, S.C., and received his music degrees from USC. He has played tenor and bass trombone for a diverse number of individuals including visiting political figures, tour groups, traveling shows, pop stars, and jazz legends. He is retired but continues in his role as music instructor at Northside High School in West Columbia, S.C.
Kristi Hood (vocalist) is currently the featured vocalist with “ the Dick Goodwin big Band.” She has performed at the Camden Jazz Festival, the Newberry Opera House, and as a frequent soloist at Columbia’s First Baptist Church.
John Wilkinson (vocalist) has performed with “ the Dick Goodwin big Band” for five years. He has played guitar and performed as a vocalist in bands, for weddings and dances for over 20 years.. He works for the Human Resources Department at USC.
Dr. Goodwin is known as a prolific composer, arranger, performer, conductor, studio producer, and leader of classical and jazz groups. his compositions range from jingles to opera and jazz band to orchestra. Dr. Goodwin was the first recipient of the South Carolina Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Award for the Arts (Individual Artist) in 2001 which is South Carolina’s highest award in the arts. He has written and arranged many pieces for the South Carolina Philharmonic including the “Palmetto Symphony.” He was chosen to represent South Carolina in the bicentennial concert series at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, for which he composed a work to commemorate the Saint Cecilia Society, established in Charleston, S.C., in 1726.
He composed or arranged most of the pieces that are currently associated with the University of South Carolina such as the Alma Mater, the Fight Song, “Go Carolina,” and “2001.” He also composes pieces for special functions at the University of South Carolina such as the theme song for the University’s Bicentennial Campaign. in response, Dr. John M. Palms, then president of the University of South Carolina said, “ We continue to rely on upon your talent to help us present the University in its best light, and you continue to rise to the occasion.”
“ the Dick Goodwin big Band” plays arrangements of music from the big Band era, Dixieland era, Swing era, beach music, and other current favorites. they have played internationally, especially in the nations of Latin America, and have recorded several CD, the most recent called “Studio Time” produced in 2001.
Dr. Goodwin has performed locally weekly with the S.C. Jazz Society, a “kicks group,” that meets at Speakeasy in Five Points.
Upcoming 2012 performances planned for the “Dick Goodwin big Band” include:
February 8, 2012: “ the Dick Goodwin big Band” horn section will play with the Temptations at the Newberry Opera House.
February 12, 2012: “ the Dick Goodwin big Band” will be featured with the SC Symphony League/ SC Philharmonic’s Valentine’s concert at Embassy Suites, Columbia, SC.
April 20, 2012: “the Dick Goodwin big Band” will perform in concert at Patriots Hall in Sumter, SC.
April 26, 2012: “the Dick Goodwin big Band” will return to the Koger Center to perform with the Palmetto Mastersingers.
Dr. Goodwin lives with his wife, pianist Winifred Goodwin, in Columbia’s Rosewood neighborhood.
The Dick Goodwin Big Band, making music in the Midlands since 1970s
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