Amazing live performance by Maynard Ferguson and his Big Band doing a disco funky rendition of Maria from the musical West Side Story. Bob Militello (whom played baritone sax with the band), solos here on alto flute.
I saw the Boss live a dozen times. Met him in Ashtabula, OH in the late 70s after a show and hung out with some of his band in the lot afterward. It changed my life.
Saw the Boss for the first time Feb 23, 1979 at Gardner Webb College in NC. Me and about 4 guys from the trumpet section in our HS marching band went together. We were able to sit on the front row, and I thought I was going to die. "Gonna Fly Now" was playing on Kasey Kasem's top 40, and none of us could believe what we were hearing. No matter how hard we all tried, we could never get anywhere near the upper register, and all we got for our efforts were loose front teeth and bleeding lips(we never knew we were playing for the high notes completely wrong). Best years of my life; I absolutely loved being in the band, sure do miss those days.
I played trumpet for 20 years then took up writing. My friends threw a party when I quit playing trumpet to celebrate. Writing is much quieter. Listening to this my soul sings.
Maynard's band and music were better in the Roulette years, but yes, there are a lot of good guys on this band. Next best was MF right after her re-formed the big band in the late 80's, through the early 90's. He was playing strong, and doing great, swinging charts.
Thanks for posting! I always love the Bobby Militello flute solos from this era. Looks like Peter Erskine on the drums, before he went to Weather Report.
Menuda bestia sonora fué Maynard Ferguson, potencia y sonido,para mí particularmente junto con Arturo Sandoval las trompetas con más feeling,punch y personalidad. M🎺F
Personnel: trumpets (L to R): Joe Mosello, Stan Mark, Dennis Noday, Ron Tooley trombones (L to R): Phil Gray, Nick Lane saxes/woodwinds (L to R): Eric Troub, Mike Migliori, Bobby Militello piano/keys: Biff Hannon, bass: Gordon Johnson, drums: Peter Erskine
Thanks, Henry -- I'm on it! That is a great collection of stuff, on your channel -- I love the old music and... other cultural video from that period. Glad I found you! .. Urb
We can forget that TV viewing choices were so limited at that time. For that reason, my friends and I in the "Maynard orbit" found this show to be an incredible treat. We had to pinch ourselves etc. Very little "niche" viewing in those days. Rare exceptions like with that "Mark of Jazz" show - we'd call each other and all make notes to get in front of the TV at the assigned time, because if you missed a show at the exact time, that might be it for ever being able to see it!
My high school marching band played this song for our half time show. Our theme was West Side Story. We played this, Mambo, I Have a Love (where I had a duet with a mellophone) , and Cool. I'm only a junior though.
Anybody here remember "OZ" music store. That had this actual clip (I think) on the first gen laser disc players where they would often play live performances from. Whenever I went to buy music there, I would always request they play this piece. This was long before I ever even saw him perform on television or live.
Odyssey Records in Las Vegas, Nevada used to play first gen laser discs with loads of clips. I especially remember them playing Windham Hill "Seasons" and "Western Light" discs. The late 70's was the last of an era where you could take a disc (laser or LP record) up to the counter and they would put it on for you to audition before buying. Some small record shops are bringing that back today. Kudos for them for keeping this music alive! I saw Maynard at UNLV in Las Vegas performing with his "High Voltage" band. Same venue where I also saw Victor Borge perform...twice! Now they are both gone. RIP Maynard and Victor! You brought so much joy to your fans of this World
trumpetwill07, Maynard Ferguson was the reason I started trumpet in 1975! Yes Maynard had tremendous abilities on the trumpet but I have to disagree with on the wrecking of ballads. Maynard was a showman and this is an example of his " Showmanship " MF recorded some very beautiful ballads right up until he passed in 2006! Sometimes we forget the artist as a special style and overlook the true qualities of brass playing. I have'nt.......
@Jon Saxon: I love the one where this band (Peter Erskine) plays "Birdland" before he plays it for real with Weather Report Maynard Ferguson - Birdland
I remember watching this Bash program at its original airing. Our little jazz clique in Morris MN was quite enthralled. Our media world was so totally different then. There was scarcity of art like this, available to the masses. Bash show was diverse, maybe too much so, because how could you imagine stuff like MF's "Give It One" in with Sammy Kaye music. Well, I enjoyed all of it. Trivia question: who was the emcee for the whole thing? I'm pretty sure it was Hugh Downs.
Do you have the rest of this show? Been looking for it FOREVER, but it was just a bit before the era of consumer VCRs, so it's been elusive. Thanks for posting this, in any case. I used to have an audio cassette of part of the show (including this tune, Diz's "Manteca," and one or two others) from when it aired in Boston... Urb
Geeze, some of you guys crack me up! Is this the best version of Maria? Of course not. Listen to Maynard '62 for the one most of us old guys originally heard. Or the black and white video. You want to hear Maynard play a ballad...just listen to him play Tenderly. And if you say he wrecked that then you're a friggin idiot!
Both versions have their own appeal. This arrangement is quite attractive, and a fresh take on a tune that would have been becoming a bit old at this point in his career.
