Multi-instrumentalist, improviser, composer, and educator Denny Goodhew, born on April 1, 1952 in Walla Walla, Washington, traveled the globe teaching, performing, and recording.  He performed and/or recorded over 50 CDs with Charlie Haden, Gary Peacock, Buster Williams, Dave Holland, Marc Johnson, Jimmy Garrison, Ralph Towner, Oregon, Etta James, Big Joe Turner, Albert King, Robert Cray, Ernestine Anderson, Johnny Mathis, Lou Rawls, The Temptations, Buddy Miles, The Dells, Bill Frisell, Gil Evans, Jack DeJohnette, Adam Nussbaum, Ed Blackwell, Andrew Cyrille, Mike Clark, Anthony Braxton, Sam Rivers, Art Lande, The Reputations, Composer’s and Improviser’s Orchestra, the International Creative Music Orchestra, First Avenue, the New York Composers Orchestra West, John Cage and Soundgarden (among others), playing in Japan, Poland, Norway, Germany, Israel, Canada and Taiwan. Goodhew served as Professor of Saxophone and Music Science at Berlin University of the Arts in Berlin from 1993 until 1999.  During his tenure in Berlin he studied the Asian Healing Art, Reiki, receiving the Reiki Master/Teaching Degree. After his return stateside he taught at Cornish College of the Arts.

Mr. Goodhew served as a designer and consultant for Claude Lakey Mouthpieces and composed more than forty pieces for Current Rutledge Productions.  He was the recipient of a “Talent Deserving Wider Recognition” award in DownBeat magazine’s critics’ poll and five Earshot Jazz Golden Ear awards, including Best Instrumentalist and Best Electric Jazz Group.

Denny Goodhew passed away on March 3, 2026.

(This article quoted from denneygoodhew.com)

Here is a link to Denny Goodhew playing saxophone on a 2008 Jerry Granelli record with Charlie Haden and Robben Ford:

"HELIUM TEARS"