At 22 years old the new hot kid in the big band had the world by the horns and was having a hot time that would last non-stop for 56 more years. We miss ya, Maynard. Thank you for leaving us so much to remember you.
I went up to his handler at a show @ Banks & Shane when I was in high school asking if I could get an autograph. The handler asked me if I could give them a ride back to their hotel, instead!! What an amazing memory to have Maynard Ferguson in your passenger seat as a teenager!!!
Like many a young man who was in HS band in the 70s, I first heard MFs Gonna Fly Now on Kasey Kasem's Top 40, which played every Sat afternoon in my area, and I was just blown away. At the time, I had been playing trumpet for all of 4 years, with my trusty Bach Strad Model 37. My dear old Mom wanted me to have the best, bless her soul, and I didn't realize what a sacrifice this was for her until years later...this horn in 1975 cost around $600 ($3,000 in today's dollar). We were definitely 'middle-class.' Mom was a teacher and my Dad was a carpenter and I also had a brother and sister. Maynard was my hero, along with the rest of the trumpet guys in the band. Try as we may, we could not figure out how to play in the upper register. We thought it had everything to do with more pressure on the ambrichure, which led to dentition issues for some of us. Our band director, also a trumpet man, looked upon MF with great disdain for some reason (we figured out of pure jealousy, or because most of us were better players than he was anyway). I'm not sure where I'm going with this, but after high school, I chose a non-musical career path. I kept my horn, though; I simply could not part with it knowing how much it cost my Mom to do such a wonderful thing for her son. Many years later, my firstborn son wanted to play trumpet, mainly because he grew up listening to MF, Herb Alpert, Arturo Sandoval, Wayne Bergeron, Doc, Wynton and a slew of really hot horn players. He really dug jazz from an early age. By this time, the little High School I had attended now had a jazz band, one of the best in the state. My son was playing his old man's horn at the same high school. How cool is that? He got a music scholarship for college, and has been playing professionally for several years with the likes of Bootsie Collins, Snarky Puppy, Shpongle, Warren Haynes, Justin Ray and others. Needless to say, I'm immensely proud. I now can live my trumpet life vicariously through my son!
And to think this wonderful family tradition was started by a sacrifice from your generous, compassionate Mom. Thanks for the uplifting account of your family history, and especially of your favorite lady.
@@drronnorris How cool was that the the Grand-Son came through and to make a living playing music is really an accomplishment , congrats to all . Love M F .
While making deliveries near Ft. Lee I stopped in a local seven eleven and was talking with an older gentleman back in the late nineties and had asked him if he knew where the Rustic Cabin used to be and he informed me that it was up 9W in Englewood Cliffs and was actually the site of a gas station now.
No pressure, just pause there on national tv, on Ed Sullivan show, and then hit a double c no wait, double d. Well that was a moment he probably remembered.
I saw Maynard play with his big band in1975 at a Ramadan Inn near me in New Jersey, with drum corps buddies if mine. He just blew us away with the sound of his band, and Maynard was fantastic on trumpet routinely hitting double high C. He also played the superbone, an instrument he developed. One of the greatest trumpet players I've ever heard and an all time great brass player, along with Miles Davis.
Maynard and his band came down to entertain us hicks at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, WV three times during the 70's, later at a high school in Clarksburg,WV. Many of my classmates were from New Jersey. Also saw Maynard at Blues Alley in Washington D.C. Signed, a professiional student at WVWC 1976- spring 1982.
saw him at Brandi's Wharf in 72 in Philly. I have a autographed glossy from him personally made out to me. He signed it FOR me between sets. I TREASURE IT!! He was kind and spent some time with me which as a 17 year old horn player at the time, blew me away. I think i talked about it for a year. Still am........
To all the “jazz critics” out there: Brownie was a unique talent, and no one will ever match his graceful style, big round sound, and improvised melodies. Miles could say 10 words with every note of his subdued, passionate style. Maynard played with muscle and flair and invigorated audiences. Just enjoy the masters for who they were, and stop hating.
Don't know why, but watching young Maynard on top of the world gets me emotional. Probably because I know how hard it is to play a brass horn well. I've watched this many times. Every time I'm in disbelief.
like many kids growing up in the US, I discovered Maynard Ferguson, and ultimately Stan Kenton, through participation in my High School music program. I remember in 1981 the first time I heard a recording of Chameleon played in the band room while waiting for Jazz Band practice to start. We were all blown away that someone could play the trumpet like that. As a trombone player, I still recall the first time listening to the "Live at RedLands" album and hearing the greatest lead trombone player ever, Dick shearer, play Bon Homme Richard. That song still gives me goosebumps.
My HS loved Maynard's charts. My Freshman year we played Country Road, Rocky in my sophomore year, Chameleon in my Junior year, and Birdland in my senior year. The following year I was asked to join in for Gospel John after I came home from my first year of college. Those were the best days of my trumpet playing life.
200 plus gigs a year helps.. every man a monster player. You can’t hear a big band live now that plays with half that level of life-depends-on-it ferocity.
Truly amazing what Maynard did. I'm 31 and was inspired by him in grade school. I had the honor of attending one of his (highschool jazz band) workshops and meeting him. I remember him making a reference to burger king and how much he liked whoppers. He was personable besides talented. The smartest thing was connecting with young people- having fans that would idolize his music for decades. I was lucky to catch three of his concerts, the last one was about two years before his passing and he was absolutely on fire even in his older age.
Me too, twice in his last years. "The following medley features some of the songs that have been responsible for the incredible wealth I have now." Nice sense of humor. And he could still belt out a high A in his 70s! As for young musicians, EVERY trumpet player during that era wanted to play like Maynard. I once sat in on a trumpet seminar by Mike Vax, who said, "Look: Maynard is Maynard. Don't worry about trying to be like him; develop your own style." I never played trumpet, but on the instruments I did play, I borrowed from here and there and did develop my own style, and it does work out better.
Wow! The central Dance Band of the Innovations Orchestra. I don't think SK had another band with such precision and power as this one. Imagine sitting in the front row of the tv theatre!
Had the extreme pleasure of sitting in the front row of a Stan Kenton concert when he came to in Kenosha, WI. We sat literally inches away from him as he led his orchestra. I was in the Starbuck Junior High School jazz band when we went to see him play. Incredible. I deeply enjoy big band jazz to this day!
He changed technique when he got older to make it more flawless. Quite the irony that it made him look more strained haha. Lean back a bit while resting your chin on your chest. Imagine that you are being held up by strings like a marionette doll. Making your legs and torso all bouncy. Den clutch with your butt cheeks. You look super silly when doing so. But it helps you with your breathing. The story goes that Miles once asked Maynard "How do you make such high notes. How do you do it?". Maynard then answered "first thing; you stand wrong". Miles got so pissed that he left the studio immediately as he felt insulted. Says more about Miles than Maynard haha.
Over the years I've heard/read comments that Maynard was just a screamer without much other skill. Sure, if you heard him in his later years one might get that impression - the screaming was always fun for us kids - but when you get the chance to hear some of this early work, it confirms what an awesome talent he was.
Maynard was a very good friend when I was writing and producing jazz in New York. We recorded “Cross at the Green” for the city and did commercials for Ad agencies in the 1950’s. He was a wonderful guy!
I have never heard a bad word about Maynard. I, of course, idolized him when I was a trumpet player growing up. But I only learned later what kind of an influence he was, and the opportunities he gave younger players. Makes him all the more special to me. I became a music teacher in part because of Gospel John. I was hooked.
I had a friend who subbed with his band during his final tour. Got to go to the final concert in New Orleans. Maynard wasn't able to play full sets anymore. It just took too much out of him. But, when he played, it was magical. When he left us, he left a hole in the world. God bless you, Maynard.
Hi, when I was growing up in the 50's, Stan Kenton was my number one band. None better. Maynard Ferguson, in life, could NOT have had any other profession other than what he was. The very best.
I saw many of his best live concerts and to this day thank him for saving my life through quality music, performance and other facets of life. MF Horn love. ❤
I was fortunate enough to have Frank Minear as a music director in High School (only a semester for me, he had to go to a school that would actually pay half a "fair" wage for his time and dedication). Anyhow, best tunes we played were the Kenton arrangements. Loved those! And Mr. Minear!
Playing in a Big Band is such an amazing feeling! Nothing quite like it! This was simply INCREDIBLE! Thank You for whoever was responsible for this clip...
Besides the amazing performances by the musicians, the visual camera work and staging is amazing for a live show with large cumbersome cameras. Amazing feat by all involved on this show.
And now we have a kid named Maynard Ferguson playing a Maynard Ferguson on a chart called Maynard Ferguson with the Maynard Ferguson band. That was Amazingnardly Fergusontastic!
The very first time I ever heard him was on a 10” recording of that tune, “Maynard Ferguson”. My Dad played it for me in about 1970 or so. I keep the record in a prominent spot in my studio. I’ll never forget the first time I saw him LIVE in 1973 with some of the British band members still with him. (The striped long-sleeve T-shirt days!) Lin Biviano on Lead, Pete Jackson, Randy Jones, Bob Summers, Andy MacIntosh, Bruce Johnstone, Ernie Garside. Unreal. Years later, many band members have become good friends, including my first Bass Hero, Gordon Johnson and “Big Daddy”, Ed Sargent. I’m so grateful that my dad turned me on to ‘The Boss’ and miss him terribly.
The British members you’re talking about comprised the best sounding version of Maynard’s band that ever existed. They played all of the really true great jazz tunes that Maynard recorded in his career. I saw that band three or four times myself just outstanding.
Awesome gem from history that never gets seen. We have all seen the Beatles clip from the Ed Sullivan show a million times but clips like these seem lost to time. Thanks for providing this as a history lesson to all of us as to how great a big band can be. Stan Kenton was a genius and so was Maynard.
I grew up listening to Stan Kenton and later on to Maynard's ten piece band. Maynard played at the old Sutherland lounge on the south side of Chicago. The band was amazing and shows were sold out even on the week days. Kenton's band rarely came to Chicago; I did see him once at the Medinah Temple and it was a show I still remember. That was when music was music!!!
While in college in the early 60's, I used to listen to jazz programming on WHAT-FM, Philadelphia . Every weekday, one of the DJ's (It might have been Sid Mark.) started his show by playing the entire tune that Maynard plays here with the Kenton band on this program. I don't recall the DJ ever announcing the name of the tune, but we certainly knew it was a feature for Maynard. My roommate told me that the name of the tune was actually "Maynard Ferguson". It was on a "Stan Kenton Presents" Capitol LP, which featured some of his sidemen; and, each of the cuts was named after the featured soloist. After a bit of a search in record stores, I finally found it and still have it.
What an absolutely incredible player Maynard was! I remember my trumpet teacher in college saying how he played so out of tune and would miss notes because it's so hard to have control in the extreme upper register. He wanted us to learn the "legit" music and way of playing. He was a pretty incredible player himself. But even he would marvel at how Maynard could do the seemingly impossible. If you haven't heard it yet, listen to Maynard play "Maria" from West Side Story in a recording when the band was in Czechoslavakia I think in the '60's. Very much in tune and in control in the extreme high register.
I found it. Here it is: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-uRy4U59-qCg.html Especially it check out right around 2:52 and a little before and after. Amazing.
Kenton's Peanut Vendor was so enlightening to my dad he became a professional musician. I saw Kenton & his band on a double date with my parents when I was in high school in 1971. Dad was always playing Kenton & he loved Maynard, perhaps the best that has ever been. I enjoyed this performance, they were great.
Peanut Vendor- still my favorite since I was a high school stage band lead trumpet player at Texarkana Texas High School in the late 50's. Which is saying something considering how many there were to choose from.
@@josenegaste187 Shelley Manne`s drumming was so cool. I listened to his records and consequently bought a drum set and started taking lessons. I played as a professional for many years.
I use to frequent Shelly's jazz club on Cahuenga & Selma 'Shelly's Manne-Hole' in old Hollywood Ca where my dad grew up & I spent much time combing Jazz supper clubs All over LA They were plentiful all over the LA basin a few decades ago
My dad, Big John Brennan from Grayslake illinois was such a Kenton groupie that on two occasions Stan let him direct the band ! I’m not sure any other fan was bestowed that honor. Saturday mornings at 8 am sharp, “Intermission Riff” would blast from the speakers, and Dad would be standing mid-living room, directing. To be so moved by music is a blessing - and to MAKE it, well…..God Bless, Stan, and thanks
How very nice. I saw this early '50s group several times and I think there's no doubt that this, Kenton's Innovations Orchestra, was his finest. In this video, that was Maynard Ferguson, of course, blowing away on Hot Canary. The last offering featured views of Art Pepper on alto sax, Bob Cooper (June Christy's husband) on tenor, Shelly Manne on drums, and Maynard on trumpet. I won't comment on that jacket, however. Kenton's theme song, Artisty In Rhythm, was totally indistinguishable. It would certainly have been nice if June Christy could have been featured on one tune as the general public would have enjoyed Kenton's first shot on TV much more, methinks.
Art Pepper, Ca. 1950....not a wrinkle, line or bag in site. This must have been before he started using smack. Art wouldn't get clean until he joined Synanon in late 1960s and man did he pay a price, but he was a great alto player nonetheless. Hell, everyone is this band was great. You had to be to play for SK.
I do not believe I am seeing this. Damn I only heard about how good he was a a young age but never heard it before. Thanks to whoever put this together. wow wow wow Charley Kilmer
I played with Maynard when I was 17 in high school. ( circa1980) Our “jazz ensemble “/ was so good we were picked to be a backing band for music lectures/symposiums.at a weekend music convention at the Adams Hotel in Phoenix.....I actually gave him an idea for a piece with my arraignment of “touch me in the morning” by Diana Ross for trumpet. He used it. Did he ever record that guys? Anyone know?? Ole Maynard....he got big the same time Eddie Van Halen did and you can easily say that Maynard Ferguson was the Van Halen of trumpet. I played both instruments in high school (still do, and I teach music at a university) so what a wonderful time for a young trumpet and guitar player to be alive. These days are finally gone. Analog to digital is almost complete
Maynard Ferguson...tremendous range and ability. Too bad we don't have his mastery and expertise around anymore...sad that the music industry is in such shambles when it comes to this kind of venue. Thanks to whomever put this out for public viewing...such a classic clip.
I wonder what trumpet players thought in 1950 when they saw MF on TV for the first time. I could imaging guys seeing this live and thinking "Holy Shit!" I grew up hearing his music, but for career musicians to hear him for the first time must have been something else!
My God! This band! Maynard, Shelley Manne, Bill Russo, Buddy Childers....I'm pretty sure the sax section is Art Pepper, Bud Shank, Bob Cooper, Vido Musso, and Bob Gioga (it's hard to see with the weird 50's "cool" lighting). What it must have been like to stand in front of these guys...smh. Thank you for posting!
If you can find the vinyl, the album with the Maynard Ferguson solo (appropriately titled “Maynard Ferguson” ) is on an early 1950’s album titled “Stan Kenton Presents.” The studio piece sounds almost identical to what we heard here. There are also two other pieces that are named for the featured soloists, including “June Christie” and “Shelly Manne.”
The staging, the playing, and the sound quality was light years from what was usually done on American television at this early stage of the medium's development. As a poster on here said, the footage of Elvis and the Beatles are shown as seminal moments in American music recorded on "The Ed Sullivan Show". This segment with Stan Kenton and His Orchestra has to be included as well. NO ONE was broadcasting bebop in 1948-1950, although some movie musicals were featuring it more. Wow! This performance truly blew me away! To think, the Big Band Sound had only been the top of the pop music scene only five years before this was performed. What a gigantic leap in musical development happened in those five years!
I was five years old when this came out and I don't think we even had a TV yet. When I started watching Ed Sullivan a few years later he would never have had music like this on, let alone for more than ten minutes, not that I would have appreciated it at that age, alas. This was a golden age for jazz musically but not in terms of popularity with the general public.
Wow that was terrific in all ways, Musicians, TV technicians, and terrific sound. Remember what early equipment they were using. No distortion except maybe the cymbals a bit. If the original Film could be found, I bet an HD conversion would be cleaner than the Betacam Tape recording. I would love to know what mouth piece and trumpet models he was using back then. Wow
legendsbrass.com/2018/05/04/maynard-fergusons-equipment-evolution/ Here’s a list of maynards equipment, put together by legends brass. It’s not really exact on what he was using at that time though, but it’s got some great info
I have had the CD of this for years but did not realise the original TV version was out there. Tremendous to see, aside from those jackets, the filming of the band seems really quite advanced for 1950 and the sound, especially Lover and Viva Prado quite tremendous. A truly great band and only really equalled by the 1953 band I think.
Imagine being one of the guys who’d been with the band for years, and this kid comes along playing these ridiculous notes like it’s nothing. Imagine the audience, who’d never heard anything like it either.
What an amazing talent. Trumpet players in the 1950s had to be shitting their pants listening to Maynard. Much like they were listening to Clifford Brown. Either one would have made me put the trumpet in its case in those days.
"Viva Prado" obviously goes hand-in-hand with Perez Prado's "Mambo a la Kenton" which was recorded around the same time--Prado idolized Kenton. While Shorty Rogers had a hand in it, the title track of Prado's album _Voodoo Suite_ features many of the Kenton and west coast jazz big band personnel, including Maynard on trumpet. There are a couple of spots where you can clearly hear Maynard's trumpet in the ensemble, including a few incredibly high notes.
From Ferguson's opening notes, the Dizzy Gillespie influence is clearly audible...opening bars are a slight variation of a passage from Gillespie's "I Waited For You" which was the interlude theme for the Gillespie Big Band. Nice clip.
