ceWhen people remember Maynard Ferguson, they inevitably focus on those stratospheric high notes, the screaming lead trumpet that could shake a concert hall.
Thank you for honoring Maynard. For me it was an instance of meeting your hero and not being disappointed in the least. That’s not always the case. In a nearly magical set of circumstances, I got to spend the better part of a day with him. I was a jazz radio host only hoping to gain a phone interview with him. When I called his tour manager, Ed Sargent, on the road (don’t ask me how, this was pre-cell phone), he suddenly said he liked my voice, and why don’t I emcee the show that night. Better yet why don’t I pick Mayn up at his hotel and drive him to the gig. I thought I was dreaming, but it actually happened. We talked about Dizzy Gillespie in the car. I even got lost for a while because I was in such a state. His valet was losing patience, but Maynard was unflappable. At the venue we talked for a good 30 minutes on tape, then he politely excused himself to “prepare” for the concert. I knew this meant meditation. I was struck that some at his age (late 60s) still cared so much. As you underline in your piece, making music had deep meaning for him as a shared experience. I got the impression that he was humbled by his ability to connect people through his great gift. I miss him greatly, but his spirit is still abiding.
I met him twice. Once when I was fifteen, backstage at the first concert I heard him play, and then decades later when I interviewed him on his 70th birthday. Really wonderful man who made his way through this life with tremendous compassion and spirituality.
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 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 loved what you had to say. One of the most open minded band leaders and great to hang out with. When it was his birthday we used to pull some pranks on him during a gig and he loved it.
Bret, f'god's sake. Trumpet was also my first instrument. My mother wouldn't have the drums. I took that up after high school. So drums sustained me for fifty years. Then came piano. I'm deeply engrossed in that marvelous instrument. This is a lovely tribute to Maynard Ferguson. The depth of your knowledge is amazing.
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 always enjoy your tributary descriptions of your various jazz heros. I vaguely remember the name but know nothing about him. Now I know more. Gracias.
When I was in high school in Connecticut listening to Symphony Sid I heard him play Ole. I soon made my way to Caldor’s and purchased Maynard’61. 1961! The next was Maynard Ferguson’s Hollywood Party on EmArcy. I saw Maynard perform but never spoke with him. I still play Maynard’61 on the air. Thanks for this remembrance, Bret.
I have known about Maynard for a very long time but never really gave him much attention. I will now, thanks to your article. “Mistakes are an opportunity for growth.”
Thank you for honoring Maynard. For me it was an instance of meeting your hero and not being disappointed in the least. That’s not always the case. In a nearly magical set of circumstances, I got to spend the better part of a day with him. I was a jazz radio host only hoping to gain a phone interview with him. When I called his tour manager, Ed Sargent, on the road (don’t ask me how, this was pre-cell phone), he suddenly said he liked my voice, and why don’t I emcee the show that night. Better yet why don’t I pick Mayn up at his hotel and drive him to the gig. I thought I was dreaming, but it actually happened. We talked about Dizzy Gillespie in the car. I even got lost for a while because I was in such a state. His valet was losing patience, but Maynard was unflappable. At the venue we talked for a good 30 minutes on tape, then he politely excused himself to “prepare” for the concert. I knew this meant meditation. I was struck that some at his age (late 60s) still cared so much. As you underline in your piece, making music had deep meaning for him as a shared experience. I got the impression that he was humbled by his ability to connect people through his great gift. I miss him greatly, but his spirit is still abiding.
I met him twice. Once when I was fifteen, backstage at the first concert I heard him play, and then decades later when I interviewed him on his 70th birthday. Really wonderful man who made his way through this life with tremendous compassion and spirituality.
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 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
I loved what you had to say. One of the most open minded band leaders and great to hang out with. When it was his birthday we used to pull some pranks on him during a gig and he loved it.
Bret, f'god's sake. Trumpet was also my first instrument. My mother wouldn't have the drums. I took that up after high school. So drums sustained me for fifty years. Then came piano. I'm deeply engrossed in that marvelous instrument. This is a lovely tribute to Maynard Ferguson. The depth of your knowledge is amazing.
I've been listening to this music, seriously, since I was eleven. I've been lucky to know so many great musicians.
At twelve my first three album purchases: A Count Basie, ,An Art Blakey and Birth Of The Cool.
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 always enjoy your tributary descriptions of your various jazz heros. I vaguely remember the name but know nothing about him. Now I know more. Gracias.
When I was in high school in Connecticut listening to Symphony Sid I heard him play Ole. I soon made my way to Caldor’s and purchased Maynard’61. 1961! The next was Maynard Ferguson’s Hollywood Party on EmArcy. I saw Maynard perform but never spoke with him. I still play Maynard’61 on the air. Thanks for this remembrance, Bret.
Rusty
I have known about Maynard for a very long time but never really gave him much attention. I will now, thanks to your article. “Mistakes are an opportunity for growth.”