Howdiz Songo?: Guitar
By Gordon Goodwin
Grade: 6 (Professional / Very Advanced)
Item: 00-PC-0017204_G
$3.00
Pickup currently not available
Description
A phenomenal Latin songo groove! The chart has auxiliary percussion, soprano lead with optional alto 1 part, and a hip piano montuno. Lead trumpet range is to written double A. Solo space for all saxes, trumpet, and trombone. As recorded by Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band on the CD That's How We Roll on Telarc International. This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Howdiz Songo?: Guitar comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Gordon Goodwin Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PC-0017204_G
More about this title
About the Composer: Gordon Goodwin
Gordon Goodwin began composing at five years old, writing complete pieces rather than fragments. His first big band chart, Hang Loose, arrived at age 13, setting him on a trajectory that would eventually earn him three Emmy Awards and multiple Grammy nominations. His orchestrations appear in films including Bad Boys II, Con Air, Gone in 60 Seconds, Remember the Titans, and Star Trek: Nemesis, alongside work for artists ranging from Quincy Jones to Christina Aguilera.
In 2000, Goodwin founded Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, which has become Los Angeles's premier contemporary big band ensemble. The group's albums have consistently achieved Grammy recognition, with his debut DVD Audio release making history as a commercially available first in the format. Beyond writing and arranging, Goodwin has conducted major symphony orchestras across North America and Europe, demonstrating the full scope of his musicianship.
Why we love this
Goodwin's Latin songo grooves are immediately recognizable and utterly infectious, propelled by smart voicings and an unstoppable rhythm section foundation. The chart gives every section meaningful solo space while maintaining accessibility through its clear construction, making it an ideal vehicle for teaching ensemble balance and Latin jazz style at an advanced level. Recording this piece as arranged by one of contemporary jazz's most celebrated voices connects your group to a living jazz tradition.
What to expect
Propulsive and sophisticated, with the kind of infectious groove that makes audiences move. The songo rhythm carries a sense of celebration and modern jazz confidence, balanced by Goodwin's precise orchestration and respect for the Latin tradition.
Who it's for
Advanced jazz ensembles and professional groups ready to tackle Goodwin's sophisticated Latin writing and demanding lead trumpet range. Directors seeking material that sounds substantial and contemporary while offering pedagogical depth will find this chart invaluable.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the rhythm section (bass, drums, piano montuno) into the songo clave first, before layering horn parts. The groove's pocket depends entirely on this foundation holding steady.
- Balance the soprano lead carefully against the full ensemble; this melody needs to sing without getting buried by accompaniment or auxiliary percussion.
- Treat the auxiliary percussion as a harmonic voice, not decoration. These parts shape the songo's character, so articulation and dynamic control matter as much as pitch.
- Give soloists clear space and time. Each section (saxes, trumpet, trombone) deserves room to stretch over the groove without rushing back to the head.
How to use it
Feature this as a centerpiece in a Latin jazz or contemporary jazz concert, where it pairs naturally with other Goodwin charts or modern big band repertoire. The professional recording by Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band provides an excellent reference for rehearsal.
Skills your students will build
- Playing Latin songo grooves with accurate clave foundation
- Reading and executing auxiliary percussion parts in context of big band texture
- Balancing soprano melody against full ensemble in Latin voicings
- Navigating upper register trumpet writing (double A and above)
- Soloing over a composed groove while maintaining ensemble cohesion
- Interpreting the piano montuno as a harmonic and rhythmic voice