Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band Titles Added To SmartMusic

MakeMusic, Inc. today announced that SmartMusic®, the music learning software for band, orchestra and voice, now includes nearly two dozen new jazz ensemble titles from Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band including "Hunting Wabbits," "The Jazz Police," and "Swingin' for the Fences." Music is provided on-screen and actual recordings of the Big Phat Band are featured in the audio accompaniments. In addition, each SmartMusic title will include a link to a video greeting from Gordon Goodwin and acclaimed trumpeter Wayne Bergeron, providing both general and specific comments on each Big Phat Band chart. Gordon Goodwin is an Emmy- and Grammy-award winning musician, composer, arranger, and bandleader. Gordon leads the Big Phat Band, an 18-piece jazz ensemble, which exclusively plays his arrangements and/or compositions, and records for the immergent record label. Despite its traditional big band instrumentation, the Big Phat Band produces a very contemporary sound with a strong emphasis on demonstrating the technical virtuosity of its membership, which includes many of the top instrumentalists of the Los Angeles studio scene. "Gordon Goodwin and the Big Phat Band represent wonderful partners for SmartMusic," stated MakeMusic CEO Ron Raup. "Their music and recordings provide incredible inspiration to jazz musicians today, and when combined with SmartMusic they offer an incredible opportunity to learn from some of the world's top jazz performers. This combination allows jazz hobbyists, students and educators to set the bar high and exceed expectations." "immergent is pleased to partner with Gordon Goodwin, the Big Phat Band and MakeMusic on this important endeavor," offered immergent CEO John Trickett. "I began my career in music playing trombone at the age of thirteen because my school had a music program. It is one of my strongest passions to support educational programs that provide the same opportunities that were afforded to me. The technology and systems of SmartMusic transcend anything that has been available in the past. Finally there are tools available that can take a chart and put personal practice into the context of performance." "I've not met a single person who wasn't blown away by SmartMusic," added Gordon Goodwin. "Students, professionals, educators, and even lay people are greatly impressed by this amazing innovation. In these tough times for music education and for our musical culture in general, SmartMusic has come along in the nick of time!"