Big Phat Pod

The Big Phat Pod — Season 2, Episode 4: The Gordian Knot (Part 1) THIS ONE IS SPECIAL!!! Andrew and I are diving into one of Gordon's MOST brilliant and intricate compositions, The Gordian Knot. There is SO much incredible musical content to unpack that we simply couldn't fit it all into one episode! In Part 1, we sit down with some of our amazing Phat Band trombone players and the incredi...

The Big Phat Pod — Season 2, Episode 3: Don't Blink! DON'T BLINK…because you might miss something! This week, Andrew and I dive into the Brilliant Don't Blink! Gordon's wonderfully peppy, fast-moving samba written and arranged by our very own Gordon Goodwin! And trust me, the title couldn't be more appropriate! We sit down with the incredible Brian Scanlon and Jay Mason , plus...

THE BIG PHAT POD SEASON 2, EPISODE 23! LET'S GET FUNKY!!! We're diving into Track 1 from Gordon's brilliant album The Gordian Knot , T.O.P. Adjacent! And MAN, does this one GROOVE HARD! Andrew and I sit down with the incredible Phat Band rhythm section to dig into this funky, high-energy tune, the musicianship behind it, and what makes it SO much fun. AND…stick around toward the end be...

SEASON 2 IS HERE!!! Vangie and Andrew are kicking things off by diving into Gordon's brilliant album, The Gordian Knot! What exactly IS a Gordian Knot, and how does that fascinating concept connect to Gordon and his music? We unpack the meaning behind the title, explore the album as a whole, and give you a taste of what's coming this season. PLUS, we have some VERY special behind-the-scene...

The Big Phat Pod — Season 1 Finale! A Special Interview with TAKE 6! We are closing out Season 1 with something VERY special! Andrew and I sit down with the legendary, multiple GRAMMY Award-winning vocal group TAKE 6! These incredible musicians have worked with just about EVERYONE, and their musical relationship with Gordon was something truly special. We share wonderful memories, hilarious behind...

We’re back From the Cutting Room Floor for Part 2, and there was just WAY too much great material to leave behind! This time we hang with the hilarious, sweet, and ridiculously talented Phat Band trombone section , and then spend some time with MY rhythm section —sharing more stories, memories, laughs, and behind-the-scenes moments with Gordon and the band. PLUS…we have actual video evidence of so...

Episode 19 is a special one! We’re pulling out some of our favorite interviews that didn’t make it into the regular episodes. We are starting with the incomparable Wayne Bergeron and the Phat Band trumpet section . We dive even deeper into their memories of Gordon, the music, the band, and some stories we just couldn’t leave behind. AND THEN…things go completely off the rails. Stick around because...

The Big Phat Pod Episode 18 is a VERY special one! We sit down with the ridiculously talented trombonist and singer Aubrey Logan , who grew up loving and playing Gordon’s music never imagining that years later, Gordon would be arranging music for her own album. Aubrey shares some incredible, funny and heartfelt stories about their time together and the impact Gordon had on her life and music. AND…...

EPISODE 17: THE JAZZ POLICE 25! THIS is the one! The Jazz Police Gordon’s most iconic composition, played by bands all over the world and the chart that helped put Gordon and the Big Phat Band on the international map is back as The Jazz Police 25 Andrew and I dig into this legendary tune and what’s NEW in the 25th anniversary version. We talk with Andy Waddell about his absolutely BURNING guitar...

Production Part 2: Inside the Atmos Mix We’re going even deeper behind the scenes of 25 Years of Phatness ! In Part 2 of our Production series, I got to sit down with immersive audio pioneers Steve Genewick and Maurice Patist to explore the incredible Dolby Atmos mix of the album. How do you take the massive sound of the Big Phat Band and turn it into a truly immersive listening experience? Steve...

Production: Part 1! Ever wonder what it takes to capture that massive Phat Band sound? We go behind the scenes with recording engineer Talley Sherwood and live mixing wizard Ryan Mowrey to talk all things production—from recording the band in the studio to making it sound HUGE live, and everything in between. There was SO much great stuff we had to make it a two-parter! Tech heads, this one’s for...

This week on  The Big Phat Pod , we dive into   A Taste of Honey  the iconic song made famous by the legendary Herb Alpert and reimagined in a way only Gordon Goodwin could. Vangie had the INCREDIBLE privilege of sitting down with Herb himself to talk about Gordon, the music, and this very special new version. Then Andrew and Vangie also catch up with Wayne Bergeron about capturing...

SHINE! — Part 2 The story of SHINE! continues, and this time it gets personal. Vangie Gunn-Goodwin and Andrew Kesler sit down with guitarist Andy Waddell to talk about his absolutely burning solo and the story of how he became part of the Phat Band family. Then we turn to the incredible voices behind the track, Aria Gunn and David Loucks , two extraordinary vocalists who bring SHINE! to life with...

We're kicking off a special two-part look at SHINE! —one of the most personal and uplifting songs from 25 Years of Phatness . Featuring powerhouse vocals by Vangie Gunn-Goodwin along with BGV's by Aria Gunn and David Michael Loucks. Co-written by Gordon Goodwin, Vangie Gunn-Goodwin, and Donna Elaine Miller, SHINE! is a celebration of joy, purpose, and unapologetically being yourself. With a funky...

Welcome to the Phat Tracks Vault with Gordon Goodwin —a special series from The Big Phat Pod . For this episode, we're stepping back in time and turning the microphone over to Gordon. Originally broadcast on his beloved radio show, Phat Tracks , this classic episode captures Gordon exactly as so many fans remember him: sharing great music, incredible stories, and his unmistakable passion for big b...

In this episode of  The Big Phat Pod , we explore one of Gordon's most heartfelt compositions,  Change is Good Featuring the lush vocal artistry of Fletcher Sheridan, David Loucks, Alvin Chea of Take 6, and Vangie Gunn-Goodwin, this beautiful ballad is rich with emotion, intricate harmonies, and breathtaking musicianship. We also reflect and talk about Gordon's final recorded piano solo—...

In this episode of  The Big Phat Pod , we dive into  Glitch in the Simulation,  one of Gordon's most innovative compositions. Hear Danny Kaneyuki break down his blazing soprano sax solo, the sax section reveal how they mastered the song's intricate and unforgettable opening, and our phenomenal sound and tech guru, Ryan Mowrey, share how modern programming and technology helped shape...

  The story continues! There was simply too much to say about  "Hunting Wabbits 25"  to fit into one episode! In  Part 2 , Vangie Gunn-Goodwin and Andrew Kesler take an even deeper dive into one of Gordon Goodwin's most iconic compositions. Hear from the Big Phat Band saxophone section as they break down the legendary opening soli that has challenged and thrilled audiences and...

The  25 Years of Phatness  journey continues with one of Gordon Goodwin's most iconic and beloved compositions:  "Hunting Wabbits 25." A fan favorite requested at nearly every Big Phat Band performance, this legendary chart returns bigger than ever with the addition of strings, timpani, and expanded orchestral percussion bringing a whole new cinematic dimension to Gordon's brilliant...

This week, Vangie Gunn-Goodwin and Andrew Kesler dive into one of the most exciting new compositions from  25 Years of Phatness :  "The Gnashing of Teeth." Funky. Intense. Unexpected. Driven by a powerhouse rhythm section, this chart will have you locked into the groove before taking a dramatic turn into what may be Gordon's most brilliant and sophisticated saxophone soli ever written. I...

The journey through  25 Years of Phatness  continues with  "In This Moment,"  a breathtaking new composition that showcases Gordon Goodwin's unique approach to the modern jazz ballad. Inspired in part by the lyrical soundscapes of Pat Metheny, this rhythmically driven piece blends beauty, intensity, and constant motion with Gordon's signature writing and masterful orchestration...

The "25 Years of Phatness" journey continues with one of Gordon Goodwin's newest creations: Dax Thunder, Man of Mystery. Packed with secret-agent swagger, cinematic intrigue, and more than a few nods to classic spy thrillers, this brand-new composition introduces listeners to the mysterious world of Dax Thunder. But beneath the cool James Bond inspired vibe lies everything fans have come to expect...

The celebration of  25 Years of Phatness  continues with "Everywhere U Look" the second release from the upcoming Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band anniversary album. In this episode of  The Big Phat Pod , Vangie Gunn-Goodwin and Andrew Kesler share the story behind this burning chart, including the heartfelt reason Gordon originally wrote it. Which was to create a special opportunity...

"Sing Sang Sung" is one of the most recognizable and beloved tunes in Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band catalog—and 25 years later, it's re-recorded and as burning as ever! In this episode, Vangie Gunn-Goodwin and Andrew Kesler explore the brand-new "Sing Sang Sung 25" from the upcoming  25 Years of Phatness  album releasing July 2026. Joining them is clarinet soloist, Anibal Seminario, and...

 Welcome to The Big Phat Pod. In our very first episode, Vangie Gunn-Goodwin and Andrew Kesler sit down to share how this podcast came to life, the heart behind the show, and the journey forward after the loss of Grammy-winning composer, Phat Band leader, Father, Husband, and Friend, Gordon Goodwin. From the story behind Gordon’s diagnosis and passing, to the future of the Big Phat Band, the upco...