Tommy Goodman, the pianist, composer and arranger whose career spanned more than eight decades  —  from early postwar jazz recordings to orchestral collaborations with some of the greatest names in American music — died on Aug. 25, 2025 at the age of 100. He had been a member of Local 802 since 1951.

Mr. Goodman remained actively composing and performing almost until the end of his life, embodying the vitality and spirit of the music he loved.

Born in 1924, Mr. Goodman came of age in an era when swing and bebop were reshaping the sound of American jazz. Trained as a pianist and composer, he quickly distinguished himself for his versatility  —  equally at home as a soloist, accompanist or arranger. His facility at the keyboard and his gift for voicing and texture made him a natural collaborator in both intimate groups and larger ensembles.

Mr. Goodman attended the Eastman School of Music and studied composition at Yale with Paul Hindemith, as well as with Nadia Boulanger at the Paris Conservatory.

In the 1950s, Mr. Goodman became known as the pianist with The Six, a forward-looking ensemble that balanced jazz tradition with chamber-like sensitivity. Their recordings for Norgran and Bethlehem Records revealed Mr. Goodman’s refined touch, harmonic imagination, and ability to shape arrangements that allowed each instrument to shine. Critics later praised The Six as a distinctive bridge between classic small-group swing and the exploratory sounds of modern jazz.

Mr. Goodman’s most enduring contribution to popular culture came in 1967, when he arranged and conducted the orchestral accompaniment for Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.” (See photo on this page.) His lush string voicings and unobtrusive orchestration framed Armstrong’s voice and trumpet with warmth and dignity, providing the perfect sonic canvas for what became one of the most beloved recordings of the 20th century.

Tommy Goodman (middle) with Louis Armstrong and producer Bob Thiele, circa 1967

Over his long career, Mr. Goodman wrote, performed and taught across multiple generations. He arranged for jazz and popular performers, recorded both as a leader and a collaborator, and never stopped exploring new ideas at the piano. Colleagues remembered him as both exacting and generous, with an unfailing respect for the integrity of the song. Even in his later years, he continued to compose and perform, demonstrating a vitality that belied his age.

Tommy Goodman is survived by his daughter Jodi Goodman and his stepson, the guitarist Danny Petrow. His century-long life also leaves behind not only recordings and arrangements but also an example of what it means to live fully in the service of art. The sound of his piano and the resonance of his orchestrations continue to speak to listeners worldwide.

Obituary submitted by Danny Petrow.