I don't know of an instrument Maynard couldn't play. His parents were school teachers, and the musical instruments were stored at the Ferguson home over the summer holidays, and Maynard and brother Percy learned to play them all.
Went and saw Maynard 3x’s in the late 70’s with my high school band . I was a trumpet player and he was my hero. This is the way I remember him . They would do a clinic at 6 and concert at 8. Great memories ❣️They would come back in to sign autographs after the concert about 20 minutes later and were SO STONED . Still have the autograph !
Growing up as a trumpet player, I, like many musicians idolized Maynard. Since the '70's I saw him and his band perform in many different venues, and, from big band to a quintet. Always a great show. Forward to many years later I became a news photojournalist and got to do a photo piece on Maynard and interview him. He was a very good person and enjoyed the small amount of time I got to spend with him. He's still missed.
Maynard's three awesome moves: "I'm walking down the street!"* "I'm chewing gum!"* "I'm pointing at somebody....I know him!" *"I'm walking down the street, chewing gum!" is a combination of two moves, not its own move.
I think I wore the groves off of this track on my beloved Chameleon album when I was a kid, but I never understood what it was about or heard it really come alive until seeing this video! Thanks for posting!
this was at a time when Maynard was at his very best (1970's) and reached his highest commercial success ever, while playing jazz/rock...which at the time was very popular, scoring a top 40 hit with "Gonna Fly Now" (Rocky Theme)...he was also experimenting with sounds from India as well as eastern philosophies...while giving 100's of musicians opportunities they never would have on the big stage...absolute love for MF, long live the true king of the trumpet !!
Damn he can play high. My trumpet career is now over as I am finished of school bands. I was in every band the school had to offer for 6 years. By the end I could play as high as a D and have it sound good. His talent is simply phenomal. I remember playing this song in Grade 8 and 9. Along with Spain, it was definately one of my favorites.
I've read and heard people say M.F. had the high notes but no technique and limited technical ability. Those jokers blew him off because of lack of their musical talent, no ear, and not hearing Maynard from 1949 onwards. M. F. ranks up there with Clifford Brown, Red Rodney (he had a thing goin' on or Mr. Charles Parker would've brushed him off), Woody Shaw, Lee Morgan (my probable favorite), Bix (cornet), also Armstrong(cornet, trumpet late 20's, early 30's) or Dizzy, Miles, etc., and current trumpeters Arturo Sandoval, and Derrick Gardner. M.F. like those others mentioned poured their souls out in their playing. Too many great trumpeters in the past 90 years to pick a favorite. To mention Mr. Marsalis: great in technique but a copier of anything great done by someone else before he was born. Brass forever! Trombone is my weapon, but my hat is always off to a fellow brass player who can really swing. Yes, Maynard could swing and play circles around anyone as he did and does on many recordings where still lives. If you're going to post, I say, be brutally honest. I crown Sandoval as the current living King.
Thanks rocktboy1000rr. I saw M.F. in concert x5, & bought the first M.F. Horn Album in '72. Too many outrageously great trumpeters to choose from to name a favorite (Lee Morgan is my favorite, still it changes for short periods), but especially if you're school age (5th grade when most of us started, or college age, whether or not you went onto higher ed. doesn't matter), practice, practice, practice. Your innate talent is of ultimate importance, but still practice every day as much as you can. Confidence in your ability is as important as that of an NFL star player. If you "got" it all together you'll soar in the ears of those that can't live without untamed,intelligent, articulate jazz. Remember todays dumbed-down general public won't understand the art you produce; still, there's not a greater feeling than playing thru your instrument the music you love. No greater feeling have I had than playing the music I love as a trombonist and piano player. Jazz is my mistress, seconded only by my gal who melts my heart.
Sorry it took me this long to get back you: Too many GREAT trumpeters to choose from, but if I die someday with dementia, Maynard's name will still be on my lips even if I don't have enough sense to feed myself.
I got to see MF back in the late '70s and it was incredible. One of the best jazz concerts ever and a memorable oportunity. He always surrounded himself with some of the best young talent available.
Maynard was great. In response to the comment below, I caught Maynard live quite a few times live. As for Arturo Sandoval he is a great too, but I have heard a few no name guys who are in his league -- all of whom were influenced by Maynard--and Arturo. (some of these include members of Maynard's bands) Another early high note pioneer was Erskine Hawkins and of course Cat Anderson. That bit about Maynard hitting high notes but had no technique is nonsense. There are amateurs who can hit high notes but who can't really play. I fit in that category in high school. Conversely, there are professional musicians who can play up there but choose not to for stylistic purposes.
I was lucky to see him and visit afterwards, he was good to everyone. He had no reason to trust me, but he/they allowed me to help strike and load the bands equipment. Truly a lifetime experience. I really miss him. There's never been one like him before, during or since.
I saw Maynard about a dozen times. Other than the era when he went electronic he and his band were the best. I miss him and the band. This version is awesome.
wow, amazing... I love this song and I hadn't thought about it since we played it in stage band a few years ago :-) Those high notes at the beginnning are just.... wow!
Recorded in Rochester, NY. The baritone has been described as an instrument that is "played by trumpet players who fail and trombone players who succeed".
I really enjoyed this. Watching and listening to it now what jumps out at me is how much it's as much of its time as say a string quartet playing Mozart ..... pure 1970's funk ...... and all the better for it!
Saw MF do this at my first big band concert at another high school in 1976, I believe. Totally blown away! I loved how preaches with his horn and it is something extra from just listening to the album. Was able to see all the bands in the 70's whose music we played in jazz band... including Buddy, Kenton, The Count Woody etc. before they went to that the great bandstand... Thanks to RU-vid - I get to see them still!
I had almost given up hope that we were going to have a lot of our young people go thru high school and not feel the challenge one of Maynard Ferguson's classics. I wanted to play in my high school jazz band just so I could play this song. Being a drummer I too can say that this drummer knew that M.F. was the front man, and he did his job as a drummer to hold the rythym section together.
After reading you comment about 5:36, I watched for that part carefully, then watched it again and then again, and each time I got a good belly laugh. Thanks for pointing it out! I've seen M.F. and his band 5 times in concert, sadly there won't be a sixth time. May he rest in peace.
For those who think he could only scream on the trumpet please listen to his early rendition of "Somewhere" from West Side Story. This man could seriously play the instrument.
To respond to BassRocks and his dislike of Maynard, He does have that right but I do disagree with him . Ferguson was the last of a breed from the late 40s to the present time who presented a big band with great sound and power. I have heard Maynard play some of the best music , but you have to also realize that he hired some of the best arrangers . Corea , Hancock , Slide Hampton . MF also played with some of the greatest jazz musicians that you can name . I also think he was far more than a screech trumpeter as he had melodic line which you could follow ,. Cat Anderson never played a true solo but was also part of the trumpet section of Dukes band . I saw MF many times of course he played double and triple high Cs but he also led a band up until he died and played standards and some of the old charts from the past . I think given this all , plus his musical education at colleges and high schools showed a dedication and a true love of music.
I like your comments generally, but Cat Anderson never played a true solo? Check out "The Eighth Veil" on Ellington's Afro-Bossa LP, then get back to me!
Played euphonium for 37 years in a community college concert band in Dayton. For MF to have spent 5 minutes at the opening of this piece playing well above High C and then to pick up a euphonium is truly spectacular!
I heard this band several times over the years. I heard him in late 75 early 76 right after the Chameleon album had come out. Peter Erskine on drums and the rest of the band was just a superstar group. I heard him several more times over the years but that was the hottest I had ever heard him. The would close the show with Paglicia. It was pretty incredible.
lol, I didn't expect him to take out the baritone at 4:00! That intro was crazy too, he went way higher than he did in the recording I have. The trumpets look a bit nervous too at 5:50 before the shout chorus, which I remember was crazy hard from high school. Thanks for the post!
This was a tune on a double album that I had and listened to till the grooves wore out- "Live At Jimmy's" I wish the powers that be would get those tapes and put that Maynard F. album out on cd just as it was.
GRAND MUSICIEN TROMPETTE LA CRÈME DE LA CRÈME§§GRÂCE AUX VIDÉO S LE BOSS EST TOUJOURS PRÉSENT MERCI THE FOX VRAIMENT UNIQUE RESPECTE PAR TOUS LES TROMPETTISTES DONT JE FAIS PARTIE
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I'm an alto/tenor sax player. I'm lead tenor in jazz band at school. And I hope I get to play proffestionally later in my years. Maynard is my second favorite band.
agree w everything except im 19 and have been listening to maynard for at least 10 or 11 years now when i got into jazz and i remember when he died and i did shed a tear for a great musician. Yes he played high and loud but that was his style and u cant take that away from him he was one of the greatest trumpet players of all time along with winton and davis
Outstanding performance by the legendary BOSS. One of the best I've been priviledged to see. Tho I've seen him play this Gospel John live, this one is insanely scintillating!! RIP Maynard.
