Spring Break
Student revamps jazz standards in unique solos
CHRISTOPHER BENTON
Issue date: 4/10/09 Section: Variety
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The 20-year-old environmental economics major plays bass in two bands, bringing the sweet sound of jazz to gigs at various spots around town.
Goodhand has been playing electric bass for six years and what he calls "real bass" - that of the upright variety - for two years. He cites Charles Mingus, Paul Chambers and Scott LaFaro as his bass heroes.
Goodhand is one member of the jazz quartet "Sonny Got Blue," whose name references the James Baldwin short story "Sonny's Blues."
"I've been playing with them for a year. I am actually working with a few University officials."
In fact, "Sonny Got Blue" has two University-affiliated musicians - professor of Japanese history, Karl Friday, on drums and printmaker for the University press, George Davidson, on the saxophone. Graduate student Andrew Murdison contributes with a trumpet.
With Sonny Got Blue, Goodhand translates classic jazz standards, making them his own with painterly bass solos.
"Our music consists of blues/bebop drumming and highly stylized improvisation over jazz and Latin standards," Goodhand said.
Goodhand is also a central member of the jazz-fusion trio, Walter. The two other members are University students like Goodhand.
Guitarist Andrei Mihailovic has a metal background "with a jazz mind" - and an increasing deference to 19th century Russian classical composers.
Drummer Gregory Callas of Roswell keeps the rhythm as the self-proclaimed Ringo-esque "dumb drummer." Nonetheless, his musical commentary on his band-mates' playing is instrumental.
"As a band, we come up with a groove, expand on it, jam on the motif. Then, Greg will switch dynamics, forcing us to lather, rinse, repeat," Mihailovic said.
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