Dec 9, 2025 12:28 PM
In Memoriam: Gordon Goodwin, 1954–2025
Gordon Goodwin, an award-winning saxophonist, pianist, bandleader, composer and arranger, died Dec. 8 in Los Angeles.…
Chicago songwriter and bassist-turned-violinist Johnny Frigo died Wednesday of complications relating to a fall. He was 90.
Frigo’s musical life began with the violin, which he played as a child before switching to the tuba in middle school. In high school, in a move he admitted was partly to attract girls, he switched again to the upright bass. The bass would take him on the road with with the big bands of both Dorsey brothers, as well as that of Chico Marx.
After returning from Coast Guard service in World War II, Frigo began to pen and perform tunes for radio and TV background music. His most well-known number was “Hey, Hey, Holy Mackerel,” a song about the 1969 Chicago Cubs.
In the 1980s, Frigo switched instruments yet again, this time back to the violin. He lived out his musical life as a virtuostic jazz violinist, booking regular gigs at Chicago’s Green Mill.
Health problems forced him to cancel some appearances last year, but his wife Betty said he was planning to play festivals in Italy and Holland before he fell in the lobby of his condo building two weeks ago.
Besides his wife, survivors include a son, Rick, a jazz drummer; and a sister, Dolly Bray.
Goodwin was one of the most acclaimed, successful and influential jazz musicians of his generation.
Dec 9, 2025 12:28 PM
Gordon Goodwin, an award-winning saxophonist, pianist, bandleader, composer and arranger, died Dec. 8 in Los Angeles.…
Flea has returned to his first instrument — the trumpet — and assembled a dream band of jazz musicians to record a new album.
Dec 2, 2025 2:01 AM
After a nearly five-decade career as one of his generation’s defining rock bassists, Flea has returned to his first…
“It’s a pleasure and an honor to interpret the music of Oscar Peterson in his native city,” said Jim Doxas in regard to celebrating the Canadian legend. “He traveled the world, but never forgot Montreal.”
Nov 18, 2025 12:16 PM
In the pantheon of jazz luminaries, few shine as brightly, or swing as hard, as Oscar Peterson. A century ago, a…
Dec 11, 2025 11:00 AM
DownBeat presents a complete list of the 4-, 4½- and 5-star albums from 2025 in one convenient package. It’s a great…
Seth MacFarlane takes a turn from his television and film career to sing arrangements made for Frank Sinatra, but never recorded.
Nov 18, 2025 12:04 PM
“I’m not gonna lie to you — I don’t know why I thought this was about The Naked Gun, but I’m happy it’s…
