ceWhen people remember Maynard Ferguson, they inevitably focus on those stratospheric high notes, the screaming lead trumpet that could shake a concert hall.
I was a HUGE Maynard fan when I was in high school too. My mother bought me a Count Basie record when I was a kid and I was sold on the big band swing sound. That was in the 70's when all the kids at school were listening to the Police and Led Zepplin. Then one evening after jazz band, somebody was driving me home and they played "I Can't Get Started" by Maynard. My young ears was blown away and the first chance I had, I went to record store and purchased MF I and was a Maynard fanatic. That was literally the name of his fan newsletter, Fanatics for Ferguson. And used to have my dad drive me to every Maynard concert.
It wasn't just the high notes. It was the entire package. His Swank, his longevity with great arrangers and players in his band, and he could solo and play bebop. He gave birth to thousands of lead trumpet players.
Even his commercial records with Columbia were produced as well as the best pop records of that era.
I got to meet Maynard when I was kid in '83 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York, where they were honoring him at conference. That was a treat.
I found out that maynard was part of the timothy leary (lsd)millbrook scene and had gotten into hinduism , and he had a guru . He had left high school at fifteen and was working all through it out his life.
I have one really incredible story about his words to us prior to a performance at "The Jazz Showcase" in Chicago on the day that Downbeat published a disheartening article. He was a spectacular musician, mentor, boss, and friend to me for years. I'll send you a really cool picture of us with Wynton too.
Your words express my feelings exactly. I experienced this with Maynard every day that we were on tour....... When Ferguson died in 2006, the tributes poured in from around the world. But the most moving testimonials came from his former sidemen, the hundreds of musicians who’d passed through his bands. They didn’t just remember a great trumpeter. They remembered a mentor, a friend, a man who’d shown them that excellence in music and decency in life weren’t separate pursuits. Thank you.
Wonderful words of a great musician. I saw Maynard and his Band several times live from 1987-2005 and these performances will never go out of my head until today. Not only the music, but the way who works with his musicians impressed my very much. It seems to me, that he was a wonderful human being.
Of course I have the MOSAIC-Box "The Complete Roulette Recordings of the Maynard Ferguson Orchestra". I hadn't heard these recordings since years. So I just got it from the shelf and I will hear these recordings again in these days.
A few days ago, former alumni of Maynard talked a little bit about these times. Very interesting.
I was a HUGE Maynard fan when I was in high school too. My mother bought me a Count Basie record when I was a kid and I was sold on the big band swing sound. That was in the 70's when all the kids at school were listening to the Police and Led Zepplin. Then one evening after jazz band, somebody was driving me home and they played "I Can't Get Started" by Maynard. My young ears was blown away and the first chance I had, I went to record store and purchased MF I and was a Maynard fanatic. That was literally the name of his fan newsletter, Fanatics for Ferguson. And used to have my dad drive me to every Maynard concert.
It wasn't just the high notes. It was the entire package. His Swank, his longevity with great arrangers and players in his band, and he could solo and play bebop. He gave birth to thousands of lead trumpet players.
Even his commercial records with Columbia were produced as well as the best pop records of that era.
I got to meet Maynard when I was kid in '83 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York, where they were honoring him at conference. That was a treat.
Thank you for doing a piece on Maynard!!
Superb tribute! From somewhere, he is smiling at you
I found out that maynard was part of the timothy leary (lsd)millbrook scene and had gotten into hinduism , and he had a guru . He had left high school at fifteen and was working all through it out his life.
I have one really incredible story about his words to us prior to a performance at "The Jazz Showcase" in Chicago on the day that Downbeat published a disheartening article. He was a spectacular musician, mentor, boss, and friend to me for years. I'll send you a really cool picture of us with Wynton too.
Your words express my feelings exactly. I experienced this with Maynard every day that we were on tour....... When Ferguson died in 2006, the tributes poured in from around the world. But the most moving testimonials came from his former sidemen, the hundreds of musicians who’d passed through his bands. They didn’t just remember a great trumpeter. They remembered a mentor, a friend, a man who’d shown them that excellence in music and decency in life weren’t separate pursuits. Thank you.
Wonderful words of a great musician. I saw Maynard and his Band several times live from 1987-2005 and these performances will never go out of my head until today. Not only the music, but the way who works with his musicians impressed my very much. It seems to me, that he was a wonderful human being.
Of course I have the MOSAIC-Box "The Complete Roulette Recordings of the Maynard Ferguson Orchestra". I hadn't heard these recordings since years. So I just got it from the shelf and I will hear these recordings again in these days.
A few days ago, former alumni of Maynard talked a little bit about these times. Very interesting.
https://youtu.be/eLFNKEYHJNI?si=rihd91xWMnFHGhUh