TPIN Maynard Ferguson Tribute Postings
Placed here in the order they were submitted from 8-24-2006 to 9-3-2006

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Mike Vax
I just got off the phone with Stan Mark. (Maynard's lead trumpet and road manager for about 8 years - sort of my counterpart when I was with Stan Kenton.) We have known each other for 40 years, since our time in the Navy, and stayed good friends all these years.

Stan got to talk to Maynard at 5:15 PM yesterday. Maynard couldn't really
talk, but was coherent and knew that it was Stan on the phone. His daughters were with him, and Kim told Stan then, that Maynard would not make it through the night. As you can imagine, Stan Mark and I laughed, and cried a lot, and we talked about how Maynard was really the LAST of the original big band leaders, and an IMPORTANT part of Stan Kenton's legacy and feelings towards jazz education.

Talk about the end of an era!!!!! While I never played on his band, I did consider him a friend and of course, one of the biggest influences in my life as a musician. I feel honored that I got to play parts on The Stan Kenton Orchestra that had Maynard's name on them.

This is a day that will live in my memory as much as the day that Stan
Kenton died, and Dick Shearer (Lead trombone on the Kenton band for 12
years, and my co-leader of the Kenton Alumni Band until he too passed away) and I spent a couple of hours on the phone reminiscing about our time with Kenton.

Jeff Helgesen
News of Maynard's passing was quite a shocker. I was told by folks
involved with his recent recording session that he was looking and
feeling very good and playing really well.

Maynard was a big influence on me. Lots of my fellow high school
trumpet players were into the latest Maynard album (Live at Jimmy's,
Conquistador, etc. etc.) but I was really drawn to the 1954 octet
recordings he did where he really got to blow over changes. These are
still some of my favorite recordings of Maynard.

I hope the media does him justice when the wires get the story out.

RIP Boss!

Doc D'Errico
I just caught the S.Fox back in March when he was last here in New
England... I've always believed in Kharma and after years of missing his
road show, I now know it was no mere coincidence that I bought the tickets.
Although he didn't play as much as he did when I first saw him back in 1977,
I treasured the experience just as much.

Thx, Mike, for the great background, and the linkages. The community is
small, but man, what a hell of a band is forming up in heaven!

GV Forsyth
I used to skip high school classes to hang out across the street from
Wakefield High School in Arlington to listen to Maynard records and goof
around on our trumpets with a section buddy. That when all the school buzz
was about the Beatles Are Coming.

Tim Phillips
Maynard has had a full life with experiences many of us can't come close
to imagine. He touched so many lives over the course of his career with
the universal language of music. I had not heard that he was ill, but I
hope this all happened quickly and mercifully for him. We will miss his
energy and presence in world of music, but I can rest in the knowledge
he's in a better place.

Having grown up in the 60s and 70s, hearing the great playing on all the
variety shows and cartoons of that era, this barely prepared me for that
day in the fall of 1973 when I came in from marching band rehearsal and
Tim Hodgin (a student teacher from Applachian State) had MF Horn 2
playing on the stereo in the band room. Our band director had told some
of the trumpet players that a trumpet didn't play above high D, so
hearing "Give It One" was a real ear and eye opener. He was playing at
App on October 19, and I really wanted to go, but alas - it was one
month before my 16th birthday and the upper classmen who had licenses
didn't want freshmen tagging along with them and their girlfriends and
my parents though traveling 30 minutes to a concert was preposterous.
I didn't hear MF live for several years after that, but in the meantime,
as soon as I got a job, I went to the local record stores and bought all
the MF lps I could find. I worked to extend my range on euphonium and
even picked up my old starter Cleveland King Cornet and tried to play
along... All homes didn't have air conditioning back then, so me with
the stereo blaring and cornet blaring with the windows open terrorized
my neighbors. :) MF continues to be one of the greatest influences on
my views toward lead playing, commercial lyricism, and trumpet playing
in general. There has never been another, though there are many great
players with other gifts still in the world, but I doubt we will ever
see his like again. I'll miss you MF, RIP.

Lux æterna luceat eis, Domine, cum sanctis tuis in æternum, quia pius
es. Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine; et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Michael Goode
What a shame Maynard is gone. The trumpet and the music world has lost
an inspiring legend. I am glad that I was lucky enough to see him
perform live. I still remember the first time I heard one of his
recordings. What a talent!!! My sympathy goes out to his family.
Too bad we can't send a group condolence card to his website from the
TPIN listers. I don't know how to do such a thing. Is it possible?

Ron Lipka
Friends; Maynard has been an unflagging inspiration to me since I
was in high school around 1949. I've never forgotten the local
record shop guy calling me up with a "you've gotta hear this"
message. It was Maynard with the Charlie Barnet band playing "All
the Things You Are." We wore out that 78 rpm copy and had to get
another plus a 45 before Cole Porter's widow forced Capitol records
to take it off the market. Then, what a thrill it was to hear and
see Maynard with the Stan Kenton Orchestra at Rainbow Gardens in
Cincinnati's Coney Island! Later, I remember standing in front of
the band stand for four hours straight at Cincy's Castle Farms
studying just how Maynard held the horn (he held it any old way he
grabbed it at the time). He actually broke a valve stem that night
and borrowed a horn to finish the gig. At that time critics were
saying...."he'll never last, he'll blow himself out in a couple of
years.. ruin his lip, etc. I guess most of those critics are dead by
now. Then the great concerts with Kenton's big orchestra
featuring"Maynard Ferguson." We visited with him last at Rio Rancho
High School with the Big Bop Band a couple of years ago and at the
Camel Rock Casino outside Santa Fe. Just last week the Rio Rancho
band director, Brad Dubbs, told me that they had booked Maynard for
Janaury 29. 2007. We immediately moved other dates to open that
Monday for all to attend The Boss. Sadly, we will now just remember
all the great moments. They live in our memory forever. Thanks,
Maynard for all the great times.

Flip Oakes
I'm really lost for words, as we have lost one of the Greatest Trumpet
Players, and Entertainers of all time. He truly was a Great Ambassador for
both the Trumpet, and the Music he played. I met Maynard in 1973 in Buffalo
NY, I had followed his band to many different concerts for years, and heard
him many times through out South Western New York State until 1977, when I
moved to So. Ca. He was, and always will be a great inspiration to me, as
I'm certain most every trumpet player, who has ever played the trumpet. He
truly was a GIANT, and I will miss him greatly. Sadly, I really don't know
what else to say...

David Arndt
Yes. Nomatter what your aspirations were as a young player - jazz, rock,
commerical, classical - Maynard was always there reminding us that there are
no limits...

Even though we all knew he approaching 80, it's still hard to believe.

Leon Merian
So sorry to hear about the passing of Maynard. I took his
place on Rugolo's band and of course new him as a friend....He'll surely be
missed in the business. GOD bless him and be with him
high up there next to Gabriel

Gin Glockwood
My high school band director was a trumpet player and our hs jazz band played many MF charts. In the early 90's, our school district constructed a beautiful arts center for concerts and plays that was attached to my old high school. In 1993, my director was still there and Maynard was coming to the arts center to perform. My girlfriend and I went and the band director was able to get us 3rd row seats. I'm sure we were baptised with some sweat or spit. We could hear the horn - not the amplified horn. It was the best concert I ever attended. Since we had the connection with the hs band director, we were able to meet Maynard backstage afterwards and he signed a CD for me and I got a picture with him. It was a total thrill. I have had that picture prominently displayed since that performance. I'm so glad I got to see him - even if it was only once.
Another piece of kismet, last night, my big band had a mid-week gig. Somewhat unusual but I'm glad I was with my silver axe when the silver fox passed on.

Peter Brady
This is very sad news and he will be sorely missed.
It's only three days ago that I was prompted to post a query on this forum about flugel horns which was inspired by his brilliant flugel performances. I first heard him in Newyork in 1962 and he has been an inspiration ever since.
Sincerest sympathy to his family on their sad loss.

Paul Cacia
Maynard Ferguson, for those who knew him,
was what most every trumpet player aspired to be,
the king, there were many pretenders to the throne,
but there will never be another Maynard.
It is a dark day for the multitude of trumpet players
around the world that are inspired by him. His mark is an
indelible part of our lives. With a heavy heart I say farewell
to this magnificent soul and wish him a blessed journey.....

At least we have the memory of the sizzling electricity of his live
performances, those coming up behind us will not, they will never know
what it is like to hear Maynard live.

Maynard has left us his legacy, the hard part, for those of us who are
left, is to carry on.

Nick Drozdoff - Former Band Member
The Impact of Maynard Ferguson on My Professional Life as a Trumpeter:

It is 2:50 on August 24, 2006. I just taught 90 minutes of classes putting
on a happy face even though I was struggling with a sense of sadness at just
hearing of the passing of trumpet legend, Maynard Ferguson. I got through
it, and will be fine, of course. More on that, later.

Now, folks who know me well may ask, „Why are you so bothered by this? You
only really did three complete tours with him! You didn&Mac226;t even finish a full
year!‰ Well, these queries deserve answers.

First, I left when I did, by and large due to the fact that I was a newlywed
when I went on the road with Maynard. My new wife was very supportive of the
move onto the road. She knew how important to a young trumpeter it was to go
on the road with Maynard Ferguson. However, I felt I had to come home when I
did. This was made easier due to some personal challenges (which had NOTHING
WHATSOEVER to do with Maynard!) I was facing on the road.

Next, those three tours I did with Maynard Ferguson were some of the most
cherished moments of my career. My life would not have been the same without
them. I learned a great deal about trumpet playing, musicianship, jazz and
humanity that I would have missed had I not had that experience. I learned
as much about me as I did one of the greatest jazz trumpet legends who ever
lived.

Maynard has had a huge impact of the lives of virtually every trumpeter, in
some way. Certainly, the legacy of high notes is there. However, Ferguson
brought a sense of musicianship and artistry to that aspect of trumpet
playing that has only been approached by others. I recently posted a comment
in a forum about Maynard&Mac226;s version of Gershwin&Mac226;s „Summertime‰ on a recording
with Max Roach, Dinah Washington and Clifford Brown. In listening to that
piece, one can only stand in sheer awe at the power and majesty of his work.
I was more than just an athletic event. It was beautiful music in the hands
of a master trumpeter.

For me, The Fox will live on forever in his recordings, of course, but also
in the memories of the conversations I had with him during my brief tenure
on his band &Mac246; his words of encouragement and advice through some rough
patches I had along with his stories about his experiences with other jazz
greats. His jovial and kind nature will never be diminished in my mind.
Those moments in hanging out with him on the band bus, on the airplane to
Japan, on bullet train platforms, the rehearsals in Orlando Florida, his
joking around with us, will always be with me. I&Mac226;ll never forget the time he
met my wife and then treated her to my getting to trade solos with him on
Latino Lovewalk at Rolling Meadows High School. When Alan Wise dubbed me
„Studio Man,‰ Ferguson was like another little kid with that, too! I could
go on, but I&Mac226;ll spare you. I may have only done three tours, but oh what a
three tours those were!


In short, I am a very privileged man. I got to be on the road with one of
the greatest jazz legends of our time. Certainly, he&Mac226;ll be missed, but
rather than morn his passing, I am going to celebrate his life and all the
beauty and joy he brought us.

Much gratitude is due to Maynard Ferguson, for my part.

Bryan Edgett
Some people seem as if they will live on earth forever. So I saw
Maynard Ferguson until today, one of my early trumpet heroes and the
first trumpeter to redefine what I thought that the trumpet could do.
A friend's mom, a trained soprano, had gone to school with Maynard in
Canada and she was eager to see him again. It was winter in 1974 and
we drove a little more than 1/2 hour to see Maynard and his band
perform at Upper Moreland High School.

The gap between recording and live performance has not been closed in
my view since. I had heard some of Maynard's recordings but nothing
prepared me for the visceral, powerful, and remarkble sound I heard
that night. I saved a few bucks to hear him again the next time he
was nearby.

Maynard's band played a dinner theater in the summer of 1975. A buddy
and I thought that it would be worthwhile to spend whatever they were
asking at that time, have a good dinner, and hear Maynard. Man, what
a dominating sound.

I saw him again in subrban L.A. when i was playing in the Marine
Corps Bands in 1977. We drove 2-1/2 hours to his show, and 2-1/2
hours back on a Saturday. The following Sunday, I drove nearly the
identical route to take my regular trumpet lesson in Glendora.

I saw Maynard several times since, the last time having been only a
few years ago. I took my trumpet playing daughter who also had heard
him on recordings but never live. I am not exaggerating to tell you
that she sat through virtually the entire concert with her mouth
open. The band simply smoked and Maynard played remarkably well.

I feel the loss of a musical hero, a prominent influence on
generations of musicians. I am experiencing a sadness rivaled by what
I felat at the passing of Dr. C. John Miller, one of my most
influential pastors. I hadn't thought about Maynard much recently,
much like I hadn't thought much about Dr. Miller at the time either.
As I found it then, so I find it now, unable to believe that he is
gone. I just can't believe...

I am thankful to have heard Maynard live on several occasions, to
have experienced the unbridled enthusiasm and front line energy that
he and his band brought. R.I.P. Boss.

Clyde Hunt
I still clearly remember the day, if not the exact date, when my uncle
Lorin, also a trumpet player and five years older than myself said,
"come in here and listen to this trumpet player in the Kenton Band!" He
was playing records, as was his custom, on the Admiral 78 record changer
in his bedroom. The tune was, "The band Ain't Draggin'", a novelty
number on a 10" Capitol 78rpm recording, on which Maynard did the vocal
as well as the feature trumpet solo. As near as I can recall, it was c.
1948-49-50.

Does anyone remember the Bob Graettinger's (sp?) THIS MODERN WORLD
composition for Maynard and the Kenton Band ....simple, "A Trumpet". It
needs to be heard....!

Later, about 1954, we caught Maynard with the Kenton Band at Idora Park
Ballroom, Youngstown, Ohio. Man....does anyone remember those "loud"
plaid jackets the band was wearing then ? (grin)

I also had the great pleasure of seeing/hearing Maynard in a Quintet
setting at BLUES ALLEY, Washington D.C. That would dispell the erroneous
notion, sometimes heard, that he was not a "jazz" player.

And finally, I had the good sense to arrange to have His band at Robert
E. Peary High School,
in Rockville, MD (greater Washington DC) I believe the year was
1980/1982 (??)

Yes.... a "Super Nova" has come into our collective lives, and now is
gone, from our midst.

"And even unto the grave we sing, Allelui, Alleluia, Alleluia!" "Thanks
be to God!)
(Book of Common Prayer)

RIP.... Maynard Ferguson

Jeff Roberts
I first heard Maynard when my band teacher brought a couple of his albums to
a stage band practice. Hearing Maynard opened a whole new world of trumpet
to me. The sheer excitement of the high notes and the overall musicality of
his playing was a revelation.

I saw Maynard and the MF Horn band in Vancouver around 1973 or 1974 at the
Cave nightclub. We had to sneak in as we were underage but we sat and
nursed a beer all night and got to see the most amazing live performance I
had ever experienced.

I had just gotten a new Buddy Rich album that had a stellar trumpet section
including Lin Biviano and Jeff Stout. The Rich band wasn't about trumpets
but these guys really gave Buddy's band a huge trumpet sound. Maynard
played a couple of tunes and then introduced the band and his trumpet
section included Lin Biviano and Jeff Stout! He had scooped Buddy's whole
section. Boy could those guys play.

After the show I was in shock from the experience. Such incredible energy
and beautiful playing. I spotted Maynard standing just off-stage and ran up
to him, grabbed his hand and shook it and blurted out "that was the most
amazing concert I have ever seen". He thanked me and I left knowing I had
shaken the hand of my hero.

I had hoped to see him again and had been watching his touring schedule to
see if he would up to this area but sadly that didn't happen.

Maynard set a new standard, there are many amazing high-range trumpet
players out there but none seem to have the magnetism of Maynard.

RIP

Derek Reaban
I remember when I was in the 6th or 7th grade my Mom and I were in
an Osco drug store. I had been playing the trumpet for several years
and my Mom said, "go see if you can find a Maynard Ferguson album
and I'll buy it for you". I remember finding the album with the trumpet
on ice in the big glass container and thinking, "this one looks cool".
Then I turned it over and saw that Star Wars was on it. Star Wars had
only just come out several months earlier. I had to have this album.

I'll bet I listened to every one of those songs until I absolutely wore
out the album. And they were all really good:

This was my first Maynard experience. Then in High School a big
group of us traveled down to Sunny Side High School in Tucson to
hear Maynard with his band. WOW! I was just blown away as
was everyone that I went with. I'll never forget the Hey Jude
arrangement with the entire trumpet section walking out into the
audience.

The next year when we went to hear the Maynard concert I was
prepared with an album for him to sign for me. It was a white
album with a sketch of Maynard playing (I think it was called
Stratospheric). After the show we got out to the tour bus and
got to go in one at a time. I remember he was very nice to spend
a few minutes talking to me and I will treasure the album that
he signed for me!

Great memories! Thanks for all of your great music Maynard.
You were the greatest!

Ray Burkhart
I showed up in high school in 1975 at the tender age of 13, and during
the summer band courses before school started, I was introduced to MF's
Chameleon album. Only months or a year before, I recall looking at A
above the treble clef staff and wondering what the heck it was.

Hearing Chameleon, and not at that time knowing anything about anything,
certainly not about current music or anything remotely jazzy or popular,
I didn't understand it at all. I wasn't sure I should listen to it! It
even took awhile to realize how amazing the high notes were. But I
couldn't get around it, since the older students played the album a lot
in the band room, and I began to listen and learn. I quickly learned how
to play up to high Gs and in the next four years of late-1970s high
school, I played almost all of his charts which were published and
available at that time. I think I can still play the last page of Hey
Jude from memory. And I used to play Mendez's Virgin de la Macarena and
MF's Rocky on the same band programs during my senior year. Point being:
he was a huge influence for me, as he was for almost every trumpeter at
that time. I loved his sound, I loved his sidemen, and I loved his
showmanship.

I have most of his albums and loved to hear him live when possible. I
once waited for an hour or more after a concert in Paradise, CA to get
his autograph, and since I drove, my friends just had to wait along with
me. Then when I was at Univ of So Cal doing my master's degree, Maynard
was scheduled to play on campus on the same night as Trumpet Master
Class. Ed Tarr was teaching the class that semester, and we all wondered
how he would handle it. We got word of the concert pretty late, and Ed
canceled the class immediately, so that we could reconvene at the
concert venue. We all got seats down front, along with Ed, and we had a
great time. Best trumpet class ever! To hear him live was an
unforgettable experience.

Anyway, I'm really grateful for what MF gave to the world, and today is
a good day to say so.

Ben
My wife and I saw Maynard in the late 70s (when we were both still in high
school) at the old Meadowbrook in Cedar Grove, NJ. Those were the Bobby
Millitello years -- yes, I know he was a flute player, but I don't remember
the horn section at the time. We had a blast, and still remember that
concert.

One observation about Maynard over the years: Why is it that you NEVER heard
him on the radio (except for that brief period when Rocky came out)? He has
recorded a tremendous variety of music -- big band, small combo, disco-y pop
music, avant garde stuff, movie themes, etc -- and yet I cannot remember
EVER hearing him being played on WBGO, or XM Satellite Radio, or on any
station. You hear tons of other trumpeters on the radio, from Louis to
Wynton and a multitude of others in between, but never Maynard, and yet he
put out some of the greatest music of all time. I don't understand it.

Given that (unfortunately) some of the greatest musicians get the most
recognition only right after they have died, do you think we will get to see
some of Maynard's recordings finally issued on CD? I'm thinking of Live At
Jimmy's,. my personal Maynard favorite.

Robert Eye
In my senior year in high school (1974-75), a drummer
friend of mine told me to listen to Maynard. I bought a
copy of Chameleon within the week. Nothing was the same
since.

I went to hear him in the summer of 1975 at Wolf Trap in
Virginia. Great all around show - his playing and the rest
of the band were tremendous. And his soprano sax solo (with
no one else playing) at the beginning of Hey Jude was not
to be forgotten!

I got to hear him a few years later at Vanderbilt
University's Rites of Spring annual jazz concert series
(for free on Alumni Lawn). Again, tremendous. We played
some of his charts in Jazz Band - we didn't sound quite the
same. :-)

Skip way ahead. I had quit playing from 1979-1995, so I
didn't attend concerts or keep up much with music. Once I
started back, I went to see Maynard and his band in 1996 (I
think) at Brookhaven College here in the Dallas area. Then
again a few years ago at Allen (TX) High School.

Every time I heard him and the band was a delight. The
audience ranged from kids to retirees. The music was well
done. The energy high. Maynard's joy in the music, the
band, and the audience was heart-felt, honest, and
contagious. (Something I can't say about every concert I've
been to.)

I am truly grieved to hear of his passing. My condolences
to his family, his friends, and his fans.

Kevin Bowen
I was at that Vanderbilt concert too, Bob.....had a handheld cassette
recorder with me, and taped the concert. I listened to that concert
until I wore the tape out.

Later, somehow I found out that the MF band was doing another concert in
Nashville before it was publicly announced....got tickets ON THE FRONT
ROW...the 'live' sound was something that even now I can't begin to
describe in words.

We also had the MF band for a concert at Tennessee Tech when I was a
student there. The band came over to the Phi Mu Alpha House after the
gig....very cool memories.

Very sad today....going home to listen to some Maynard...

Gregory Curry
First time I heard Maynard was while sifting through albums in the band
room. "What's this, 'Message from Newport' ?" I thought. Soon found
out!!!

Three years later I had the awesome experience of playing in what may
have been his biggest back-up band, the West Chester State College
marching band. After hearing him and his 'Brit band' blow the roof off
the college auditorium Friday night, Maynard played the half-time show
Saturday, MacArthur Park. WOW! Talk about filling the stadium! HUGE
sound! Had the good fortune to do it again the next season, this time
Bridge Over Troubled Water. Somewhere in there was 'People', too.
Changed my life. Met him backstage briefly, and as a young,
enthusiastic Maynard freak, had the weird notion to ask him to
autograph my bootlegged cassette of the concert. After giving me a
quizzical expression and offering some significant glances toward his
manager, smiled and signed it and offered me encouragement in my
trumpeting. A gentleman, for sure.

One of a kind. Thank you, MF.

Ralph Moore
My first trumpet hero was Chuck Mangione (it still "Feels So Good"). I was
then introduced to Wynton Marsalis (the lead player in my HS was taking
private lessons with him). Next in line was Herb Alpert (enticed by the
trumpet guy in the Janet Jackson video).

As you can tell, my sound early models did not even begin to scratch the
surface of the great trumpet players available. What can I say? I was
young.

Any way, one day, I was introduced to MF. WOW!! Needless to say, my whole
concept of trumpet playing shifted into "HIGH" gear. The best way I can
think to characterize the impact is this:

When I listened to Chuck, Wynton, and Herb, I played along trying to
immitate and emulate, but when it came time to listen to "da Man" the
trumpet was put down so I could soar with him--even if only in my
imagination. Of course no slight is made of the others, for they helped me
practice. But, Maynard helped me dream!

Thank you, sir!

Galen Tromble
I loved Maynard and everything he stood for -- touring
on the road, playing live for people, bringing young
musicians into the business, and most of all, enjoying
the hell out of what he did.

I'd heard Maynard's recordings since the 60's, but
first saw him live in Seattle just a few years ago. I
was seated at the first table in front of the stage --
about 5 feet from the end of his horn -- what a Blast
that was!

Since then I'm gone to see Maynard and the BBN
whenever I could, most recently in May. I'm sorry
that I won't get another chance, but I'll always
remember the energy, charisma, and positive energy
that he emanated. Truly one of a kind, and a man who
exemplified the saying "Do what you love, and love
what you do."

Jim Winsor
I never met Maynard although I listened to his music avidly during the
early '70s. As a young music major and trumpet player, Maynard
represented my goals, but I never had a chance to hear him play live,
only on albums. In college, I suffered from chop damage (Satchmo's
syndrome) and ended up pursuing other directions. (Today, I work in the
computer industry) I had put all my Maynard Ferguson albums away as
they were too painful to listen to until a few years ago when I started
playing again in a community band.

When I heard of this loss, I went back through my old albums, and found
all of the albums I had listened to during the '70s. MF Horn 1 2 and 3,
Conquistador, Chameleon, Live at Jimmy's, etc. Then, I called my wife
and thanked her. She is an employee of the Plano School District, and a
year ago, Maynard came to our High School to perform. She surprised me
with tickets to the concert, and I finally got to hear Maynard live! If
she hadn't done this, I would have never had the experience.

Rick Hunnel
The first time I saw the man, he and the band were holding a clinic at Orange Coast College in Coasta Mesa, CA, 1974. I sat in the back of hall. WOW! On the way home I stopped and picked up "Live at Jimmy's". WOW! In '76 & '77 he played at Anaheim High School. Both times I was in the front row. WOW! The last time I saw him was at Disneyland back in the day they had the "All That Jazz" weekend over Memorial Day, and I also saw Dizzy that day. BIG WOW!

I will greatly miss the Boss.

Giz Bowe
I'll never forget the hearing him in the mid-70s - NEVER had I heard such
playing, even on record, as my exposure to jazz at that point was nil. The
band was great, with Stan Mark. A couple of us caught Stan between sets and
asked him how he played so high. With a twinkle in his eye, Stan said,
"Boys, the secret is [deleted]!" We all laughed, even if we weren't
enlightened. I was lucky enough to catch Maynard several times after that,
and my enduring memory of him is Maynard just BOUNDING on stage, playing
incredible trumpet (or valve bone), and making it seem so easy.

The MF Horn series is still my favorite Ferguson, with the Kenton stuff a
close second, although as they say, it's all good!

RIP, MF - shanti shanti shanti.

Doc D'Errico
Reading all the posts today has been real therapy for the soul. Although I
never met the man personally, I was literally front-row-center for this stop
in RI back in March, so I had to dig up my post...

I got home from work and have had tears welling up in my eyes all day. I
went downstairs to the basement where I keep my horns and just couldn't get
the nerve to blow...

Then I pulled out Birdland on CD and cried.

The world's a little quieter today, but man, what a hell of a horn section's
up in heaven right now.

Maynard's meant the world to me. Unquestionably one of the first major
influences in my picking up a horn back in the 1960's, although I didn't
actually see him live until 1977. I caught him at least once every year
after that for at least a decade, then didn't see him again for quite a
while. Now I know that there was a higher reason that last year I looked
for a local show and bought the tickets 6 months in advance.

I was champing at the bit for this show and as you can see below, I was
anything but disappointed.

Thank-you, Nick Drozdoff for your touching post about your time with the
Fox. And yours, Mike Vax, about your common threads with Stanny K...
Thinking of guys like you and Waynard really gave me the courage to put the
hurt aside and remember that the music transcends and Maynard is channeling
through all of us now.

It doesn't matter that I'll never be your caliber - it's time to jam.

Thank-you, Maynard, for being a real influence, an inspiration, a role
model, and for making the horn not only un-real in how you handled it, but
real for so many.

Joe Johnson
I, too, feel the sense of sadness expressed by so many on the list
today. What has struck me most about all the tributes and
reminiscences is that Maynard was the inspiration for literally
generations of trumpet players. People that were in school in the
50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's have all said what an influence he
was. That's pretty amazing. We all seem to have basically the same
story and it stretches over an incredible span of time.

I first heard him around 1977. I was in junior high school and was
blown away. One day when my dad came home from work he told me to get
in the car to go run an erand with him. When I got in the car he
handed me a copy of MF Horn 3 and tickets to see Maynard that night
at the Cape Cod Melody Tent. Needless to say it was fantastic. I
believe Carnival had just come out, and the band included the likes
of Stan Mark, Joe Mosello, Denis DiBlasio, Biff Hannon, Peter
Erskine, etc. What a show!

Thankfully my high school band director in Needham, MA was a trumpet
player, so we played a bunch of Maynard tunes: Gospel John, Give it
One, La Fiesta, Country Road, Rocky, Pagliacci, and Hey Jude are the
ones I remember. What a great time we had trying to sound like
Maynard's band! Later on I got turned onto the older stuff from the
50's and 60's. It's great stuff and I listen to it all the time.

I saw Maynard a number of other times and each time was as exciting
as the first. The last time I saw him was in Framingham, MA and both
Maynard's band and Buddy Rich's band played. It was very cool.

That Bud Herseth (my other uber-hero trumpeter) spoke so highly of
Maynard speaks volumes. I could never aspire to play like Maynard,
but I sure have been digging his playing for the last 30 years of my
life.

It feels odd knowing that I can never go hear him again, but his
music and legacy will live on. His recordings will continue to
inspire and amaze.

Here's to you, Boss. Thanks for everything!

SiegTrmpt
Aside from his legendary trumpet style and abilities the thing I admired
most about Maynard was his obvious zest for life. Long after most people his age
hung up whatever they did Maynard was on the road living life to the fullest
playing music and connecting with young and old alike. What a great way to
have lived.

Nick Mondello
I think I was about 10 or 11 the very first time I saw him. There was a rather well-known jazz club out here on Long Island called the "Cork 'N Bib." (It's STILL there today - same bandstand and all - as a dance club. So spooky to visit there now.) Maynard played there frequently as a "long-term" gig, say 3 or 4 nights a few times a year. My dear friend, Jai Florada's Dad would take us both, get us in there somehow as minors, buy us Cokes and pizza. We were awe and hero-struck. From our recurring visits, we got to know the band members and MF rather well (Jai was even asked to be "band boy."). The Boss had a full big band in those days. He played many of the heads over the horns and soloed his tail off. The band included Nat Pavone, Chet Ferretti, Dusan Goykovicz, Don Rader, Willie Maiden, Lanny Morgan, Frank Hittner, Rufus (Speedy) Jones and others. It was the early 60's Roulette days, so we heard "Got The Spirit," "Fox Hunt," "The Pharaoh," and many other classics LIVE. Don Sebesky and Slide Hampton did many of the charts. It was truly "trumpet heaven." I think one time my Mother, God love her, made me bring my horn to one of his dates for Maynard to "bless!" True.

Jai and I would go home, run to a store called "Korvettes" and grab Maynard '61, '62 and all the MF sides we could get our hands on. The LPs would be worn to scratches from incessant playing on the new/old piece-of-furniture stereo. Two young trumpeters playing along with the Boss (or feebly trying), having all the fun a young kid can have and not having a care. It was "Ole" all day.

Maynard also did the theme music to a 60's TV show which ran on ABC Channel 7 in NY called "Straightaway." He did an album on it, too!

Over the nearly 50 years since I first saw him, he has been an inspiration, a hero and all-around great guy to speak with and be around. I was blessed to see him many times and even play with many of his band members over the years. I spent a few moments chatting with him at the Blue Note a few weeks back before the show. (He played his tail off! Have pics if anyone would like).

I don't think I'm alone in admitting I cried today. I lost a dear trumpeting friend. Then I realized that as long as there are trumpeters and musicians who seek to stretch limits, be consummate professional artists, love quality music and play "God's Instrument," as I heard him once call it, The Boss will always be with us. After all, we've "Got The Spirit!"

God bless Maynard Ferguson, The Boss!

Mike - Ackman13
My emotions have been all over the place today. First, I heard Maynard was ill and then I learned he had passed. I was, and still am, stunned. I didn't think it would effect me quite as much as it has. Maynard was such an inspiration to me from when I first heard the recording of Ole' in high school. A few months later I heard him live and I was so excited I couldn't sleep a wink that night.

I have talked to several trumpet players today and it is amazing how many emotions Maynard's passing evokes. Why is this I wonder? I believe it was because Maynard was bigger then life. Besides being a great player - he was also a leader and a teacher. His playing always sent shivers down my spine, I am sure the same thing happened to other trumpet players as well. We all hoped there was a little Maynard in all of us.

Through the years there have been many players who could play in the stratosphere (many played in his band) but something special happened when Maynard did it. You could always tell when he was playing. I was lucky enough to see him in concert twice in the last three years. His passing has left a big void in the trumpet world.

Godspeed Maynard, Godspeed!

Michael Anderson - TPIN Admin
Well, I guess it is my turn to try and put my thoughts and feelings into
words...... Not easy... I've been reminiscing all day.

In 1974 I walked into my band director's office because he called me in
there. He was there with Rob Smeets our college student teacher who was a
trumpet player and practical joker. They were grinning from ear to ear and I
felt like I was walking into a lion's den. I just knew they were up to no
good and that I as going to be the brunt of their joke. I cautiously walked
in and the BD said. "sit down and listen to this." Then they put on Live at
Jimmy's and sat there and giggled as they watched my face react to what I
was hearing. Had I been a bit younger I might have wet my pants. :-)

I already loved the trumpet at that point, but everything changed from that
point forward. I was a resident of a tiny town - 1100 people in the middle
of nowhere, but I was fortunate to have great teachers who knew what to do
to turn us on to the finer things in the musical world. Soon after this
experience I got my first Chase album. Soon after that I heard my first
Reiner/Herseth recording. Then came the Instrumentalist interview where Bud
said Maynard was the greatest brass player of all time. It was a surprise to
me that an orchestral player would say that, but we never had any problem
believing it.

To say we worshipped Maynard and his recordings is not an exaggeration in
the least. One of my college friends had a lamp that every time you turned
it on it played a Maynard lick. Rigging this sort of thing up in 1977 took
ingenuity, dedication and a high level of fanaticism.

I wish I could remember all the times I've heard him live. I put those times
in my memory right up there with my trips to hear the CSO in the 80's.. Very
meaningful and exciting as hell.

The last time I heard Maynard was several years ago when a big band in Omaha
I was playing with and directing opened for him at a local high school. It
was a thrill to play on the same concert with him. Dave Monette was there
and I was fortunate enough to go out for dinner at the local Indian
restaurant with Maynard, Dave, Ed Sargeant and the trumpet players in our
band. It was a great night and lots of fun.

Although I don't play his kind of music on a regular basis, his sound and
approach to music is burned into my being. I can bring it to mind any time I
want... It is just there, ready to go when I want it. There is no substitute
and there won't ever be one.

I pity those who weren't able to experience his genius like I did. His is
the stuff of legends and in this case the Emperor has plenty of clothes!

Vic Nutt
I had to work at my desk with a lump in my throat, and fighting back a
tear for a little while today.
The first recording I heard [ca. 1974] blew me away - my friend's "MF
Horn III" record. My 10 LP's are still in my cabinet.
He even got me to enjoy a couple of classical pieces.
I first saw him in '77: What a show! My teenage son, also a trumpet
player, went with me to hear Maynard about six months ago. Mission
accomplished; my son saw the legend.
Thanks, especially to all of you who knew him, for your stories.

Eric Bittner
I first heard Maynard by accident. WOW what an experience. My High School Jazz Band was playing "Hey Jude" and our director asked us if we wanted to hear it performed by a real professional band. She played MF2 and our world was completely blown away. I wore out that record and went through another. We played Rocky later that year and then Chameleon came out. Absoloute gold!!

In the Spring of 79 Maynard came to Houston and played in Jones Hall. It simply was a life altering musical experience. The band played conquistador at the start of the second half and as luck would have it, Stan Mark did his fanfare right next to my seat. I was completely hooked. The Band was awsome. Maynard was an incredible showman and a truly gifted human being as well as an outstanding musician.

He brough a great amount of inspiration into this world and leaves an indelible legacy for the world to share. He made the world a better place for all whom he came into contact with. Just as there will never be another Sachmo or Dizzy, there will never be another trailblazer of the likes of Maynard Ferguson. I feel as many of you do. His passing leaves me feeling empty and a bit lost, however, his music will fill some of this void. He loved music and gave to all of us a treasury of performances and albums to revisit. I send my condolences and best wishes to Maynard's family, friends, colleagues and fans. To Maynard, Thanks for the music, the thrills, the excitement and the priviledge of sharing your music and life.

Paul Kurtz
There are so many not-so-obvious things in looking
at Maynard Ferguson's history and legacy. Let's start when he came up in
the bands of the 1940s. He played with legends! But, those legends were
soon told they weren't as popular any more as they had been. Some of
them were still in their prime, but rock 'n roll was coming!! But,
Maynard kept the faith. He played with Kenton and then ran his own band
for a number of years!! He had excellent players in those bands!! And he
wasn't an older man when he managed all this, either!! As Stan Kenton
eloquently said, "...They look to me for many things including money!!"
Well, that's what Maynard shouldered, responsibility for others as well
as himself!

Then you come to the mid-late '60s when big bands weren't in demand and
were expensive and he started to do more stage band stuff. (admittedly,
not always) He had to change himself, his focus, and yes, say goodbye
for a while to people whom I'm sure were loyal band members and friends.
(You know if you go from a big band of 18 to a big stage band of 13, you
still lose 5!) And, regardless of what we may think about Chris Botti
and smooth jazz, he, Maynard, accomodated himself to new situations so
that he and others could eat and continue to promote wind instruments.
And this is all happening while still putting out quality products and
of course, **PRACTICING!!

During the 1970s he hit rock and later disco-type music, always having
that horn in the forefront! He adapted and continued to adapt as time
went along. And then, when he didn't have to, but wanted to, he came
back with Big Bop Nouveaux to go back to beginnings and do things some
more!

What a life and what a walking history!! And guys like Denis DiBlasio
whom I met in NJ in June are living tributes through their enthusiasm
(which is mighty in itself) to what he stood for. And without being
maudlin or anything, I have to ask myself just how much family and
personal stress did that put on through all these times?

And yet, he had great zeal, zest, and love for what he did. And he had
great technical ability in a number of horn areas, types of playing, and
of course, his great range! Paraphrasing Stan Kenton, he said Maynard
provided fire!!

Now, if I'm wrong about this, as a person who only knew him by his
music, I'd be happy to disavow any part of what I've written. But, I've
tried to put myself in his place, living through the musical times he
did, and knowing attitudes of other living musicians who did so as well,
and it only makes it that much more remarkable to me about the things he
did!! And it makes me value the iron men that are left such as Leon
Merian and Clark Terry just that much more!!

And I think of sitting in the Jacksonville University band room in the
early '70s and listening to their jazz band play Maynard music. (I had
no Braille available and since I wasn't a member of their band, I didn't
(and maybe couldn't at that time) break in and improv!) But, it put
something into my soul that I've never forgotten and I thank him for it!
And given the multitude of jazz programs that have sprung up over the
last 30-35 years, I have to believe he's done a great deal to light the
fires in many other people and set an example of sacrifice for the art
and love of music. So, below is part of Joe's message and the end of my
meager thoughts.

Eric Berlin - ITG 2007 Conference Host
Dear friends,

The message that I received this morning hit me like a ton of bricks
and nearly brought me to tears. I guess I just assumed that he would
be out there forever playing for every new generation. What a
terrible shame that it had to end. From my earliest days, Maynard has
always been one of my biggest heroes. I remember when my uncle gave
me my first Maynard album. The album "Hot" was strange to me as a
elementary school kid, but that playing intrigued me enough to make
me look for everything of Maynard's that I could get my hands on. In
college I found a used record store in Boston (Looney Tunes by
Berklee) and was able to find the precious early stuff with Kenton
and his early band that had eluded me. Maynard now occupies more
space on my record shelf than any single artist. I am listening to MF
Horn II in tribute as I write this and am reminded how many times
listening to him inspired me to practice or go for it just one more
time. How many of us had a walkman playing Maynard before a concert?
I sure did! I remember my whole high school marching band getting
fired up in the bus before competitions to my boombox blaring Primal
Scream, Conquistador, Chameleon etc.

Has there ever been an better model for fearless playing on the
trumpet? And what a physical talent on the horn! I believe that
Arnold Jacobs once said that Maynard Ferguson was the greatest brass
player alive. If you watch that old video of him on the Ed Sullivan
Show with Stan Kenton, you will see what appears to be in human
playing. Live and in person, even in his later years, the ease with
which he approached the upper register was astounding. For the
countless hours of enjoyment and inspiration he has given me, I can
not thank him enough.

I think it is important that people are aware that his contribution
has not gone unnoticed. Last spring I nominated Maynard for the ITG
Honorary Award and the ITG Board voted to approve it at the last
conference. From the ITG site: "The ITG Honorary Award will be given
to those individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the
art of trumpet playing." This award was well deserved and I only
wish he could hear the deafening ovation at its presentation. In May
of 2007, I will be hosting the ITG conference at UMASS. I was working
with his management to have Maynard and his band play at the
conference in addition to accepting the award there. To pay tribute
to him at the conference would have been a fitting gift for a man who
has given us his heart and soul through performance and education. I
am so sorry that it will not come to pass. If anyone from any of
Maynard's bands would like to participate in a tribute, please
contact me off list at berlin@music.umass.edu.

Maynard is probably at this moment giving Gabriel a heart attack in
the great beyond and that just makes me smile. ;-)

Au Revoir Maynard, we will miss you.

Sean Reisdorf
I heard the news early this morning.

Here it is 14 hours latter and I'm still a lost for words.....


For me Maynard was my first true trumpet love and you never forget your first true love!

Over the years, (1981-present), I've seen many concerts and bought every LP and now CD I could get my hands on.
I even have my very first ticket stub from the Rialto in Joliet IL
To this day, I can flip the radio on at any time and just know when I hear Maynard.
There is just something about his tone and power that perks me up every time!

While I am sadden with his passing I can at least rest soundly knowing that his music will live FOREVER and that there is another CD coming soon!


Maynard, may your spirit fly as high as your music!

Richard Waddell
It's October, 1963, in Denton, Texas, and the Fall Lab Band concert
is about to begin at NTSU. Mr. Haynie has recently told me that I should
be sure to go to that conert, since there was to be a guest trumpeter
who was very good. So my mom's taken me and another 6th grade
friend to the old Auditorium Building where these concerts have
been going on for years...

We were in the balcony, all the bands were fantastic, and Leon Breeden
came out before the One O'Clock band played to announce the
guest artist, Maynard Ferguson. I did not know who he was then.
After he played Maria with the band, I never forgot who he was.

I was stunned at what he did, and I now know the excitement he expressed
was more than just so many high notes. As Nicholas Drozdoff wrote earlier:

<< ...about Maynard's version of Gershwin's “Summertime” on a recording
with Max Roach, Dinah Washington and Clifford Brown. In listening to that
piece, one can only stand in sheer awe at the power and majesty of his
work.
I was more than just an athletic event. It was beautiful music in the
hands
of a master trumpeter.>>

Those are very good characteristics to note:

POWER
MAJESTY
BEAUTIFUL MUSIC

And I think that because he expressed so musically and
so passionately, you could not forget how that touched you.

That's inspiration. And from all the posts of those who toured
with him, it sounds like the life experience that could only come
from a person who had love at his deepest level, that was freely shared.

Clint “Pops” McLaughlin
Maynard lived and loved music. He passed that love on to many of us.
He will be missed.

Rob Jonas
Well, I only heard yesterday that Maynard had been ill. It wasn't until I
got home this evening after work and running some errands, that I had a
message left on my voicemail from a friend of mine, that he has passed. It's
probably been over 20 years since I saw him live. It was always a blast and
he was a HUGE influence on me working at being a lead player and still
retaining a good tone and control. I'm still in shock. I have known a few
people, personally that played in Maynard's bands over the years, including
Glen Koster(bari)and Ken Edwards(trumpet). I just got an email from Ken. He
toured with Maynard last Summer and I think was possible looking forward to
playing with him again, but alas , it's not to be. I will think about
Maynard everytime I play, as I use a Holton 308s(the ML bore version of the
XLB model 307). His name is engraved on the side, so a part of him will
always be with me.

My prayers and thoughts go out to his family.

Jim Donaldson

Back in the early 70s, before there was an ITG, each summer the University of
Denver sponsored the National Trumpet Symposium, the precursor of the ITG
Conference. In 1973 (I think it was) one of the featured guests was Maynard and
his big band, the band that had Lin Biviano as the lead player, as has been
mentioned previously. I was a student there then and the lead player in the big
band. We trumpet players were the 'staff' of the conference. Because I was the
resident high note guy, my assignment was Maynard. I met him at the airport in
my very little car and drove him to the conference hotel, with the band bus
following. I picked him up each morning, and drove him back to the hotel
whenever he wanted to go. I mostly hung with him, trying to be helpful without being
a pest, for the couple of days he was there, making myself available to take
him anywhere he wanted to go and to help make his stay as comfortable and
uncomplicated as possible. I helped coordinate his concert and was backstage
before and after it.

This was pretty heady stuff for a 20 year old trumpet player.

He was the nicest, most personable guy imaginable. He treated me with
unfailing kindness and courtesy and I got to see first hand how well he treated
everybody else, when there were times I am sure he wanted nothing more than never
to see another trumpet player again.

I asked him lots of questions about breathing and he had me lie down and put
a book on my stomach and breathe in and out slowly making the book move up and
down, showing me how to breathe with my whole abdomen and control my air like
a bellows. It was a marvelous experience.

When he would come through Denver in the intervening 30 years, I'd try to
make it. He often played at high schools and there would be no publicity other
than the trumpet player grapevine. As a result, I sometimes missed him, only
hearing about it afterwards. Even then he pretty much sold out every concert.

Even so I saw him every chance I could get, because there was just nothing
like it.

There are lots of high note players around, and he wasn't even really the
first. He was just the best. No one had the style, the bravura, the charisma.
That really was why we listened.

Rick Price
I heard an NPR journalism show last weekend on that theme. It concerned
the sense of sudden profound reality altering loss and how it affects us and
leaves it's mark on us after it's passing.

That quote was inscribed on a antebellum tombstone and the author of the
piece used it as a point of departure for a treatise on unexpected demise.

Maynard was such an integral part of my musical life from the time I was
about 15 years old, that it's hard to quantify the riches he bestowed on me
through his music.

I found out about his passing at one of my schools, while surfing the web.
It came up when I googled him, which I usually do just to see what's new and
I thought I'd find out if there was more about his canceled tour. And there
it was.
I was at an open house at one of the schools I teach at for new students and
their families so I couldn't show any emotion (I'm not really the effusive
type anyway usually) but I fought back tears until I got in my car to drive
home.

Om Sai Rom. Mr. Ferguson. Thank you for illuminating our world with your
talent.

I am forever in your debt for showing me what is possible with enough purity
of spirit.

Our world is a poorer place for your passing. Of that I'm doubtlessly
convinced.

Our loss is heaven's gain, though. With Bill Chase and Cat Anderson on
split lead as well the aforementioned contractor Gabriel.

(The Roof trusses on THAT joint are shuddering tonight!)

Rest in peace my friend.

You will live forever in the hearts of your admirers and musicians
everywhere.

Wayne Trager
WOW---I am without words. I got word early this morning and was totally stunned. I am still in total disbelief, and have been depressed all day.
I first saw Maynard Ferguson in concert when I was five. My father who played trumpet, for some strange reason tried to interest me in learning how to play the drums when I was seven, but after hearing Maynard, I knew I wanted to play the trumpet. I have seen Maynard in concert throughout the years, and I have seen the influence of his recordings on all of my students. Maynard was one of my inspirations. May he rest in peace. My condolences to his family.

Bruce Zeiger
Jim,
I was at that Symposium! His playing was absolutely phenomenal. I remember
Lin Biviano played on the band (the reason I remember him is he stood right
next to me in the audience when the trumpets came out to play Hey Jude), and
as he played higher, Maynard would do him not only one better, but louder.
His power and control was stunning. A year before the Symposium, I was in a
clinic with Bill Chase, and he was asked how he became a lead player - he
said he turned on the radio one night as young teen and happened to pick up
a CBC broadcast featuring Maynard Ferguson. He'd never heard of him until
this point. He said his world turned upside down, and he had to learn to
play like that. My current teacher is a studio guy in Nashville who
essentially got started the same way - listening to MF Horn II. I'll bet all
of us have worn that recording out.

Maynard will be sorely missed. The tributes today have been so moving - it's
like we've lost a close relative. God bless you, Maynard.

Dwight Bird
I first heard him when I was 12 at the Hotel Utah. My dad took me. He was
a highschool band director and trumpet player and had been teaching some
Maynard tunes to his band. I hope they get to meet each other on the other
side.

* My first High G, playing along with the intro to Schaherazade
* First time I put my horn down discussed with my abilities, after listening
to Airegin on the same 8-track :)

Happy trails,

Wayne Bennett
I saw Maynard twice in two consecutive years in Augusta, GA - probably '96
and '97 (or '95 and '96). At one of the shows, Maynard set up a table at
the front of the stage following the show and signed autographs for nearly
an hour. He didn't even take a break after the show - as soon as it was
over, even though he was exhausted and still sweating heavily, he took time
to sign headshots, meet fans, and have a few inspiring conversations with
aspiring trumpet players. I'll always remember that.

Brian Vessey
I just recently found out about Maynard's passing. It is extremely moving
to me because I know I would not be where I am today with out Maynard. I
was in high school and really had no direction. I wasn't really into band
yet and had no plans for the future. My band teacher let me borrow a
Maynard cassette form him, Maynard Ferguson (Columbia) release, and my life
changed. I suddenly found out how exciting trumpet and music in general
could be. My life took a new direction and I knew from then on that I had
to be involved in music in my life. My life has gone through many different
twists and turns, but I recently graduated with my Bachelors of Music and I
am starting my first year as a band teacher. All this thanks to one man on
one tape.

John Hines
I was first introduced to the sound of Maynard Ferguson's trumpet when I was in high school. My brother and my high school music teacher both played me some Stan Kenton records that featured Maynard. Even if I wasn't a trumpet player, I think I would have been drawn to the excitement of his sound.

A couple of years later, I found myself out of school with no particular direction in my life. I was still dabbling in music, but had stopped playing the trumpet for about 6 months. I found out that Maynard and his band was playing at Gloversville High School in upstate New York (God bless Norm Clo for bringing them in), and decided to go to the concert. It turns out that the band at that time was essentially the same band that recorded the "Live at Jimmy's" album.

All I can say is WOW. To this day, it was the most thrilling concert I've ever seen. The sound and power of Maynard's trumpet, the energy of the band, and a skinny kid named Lynn Nicholsen who came out in front of the band to play the middle section to "Mac Arthur Park" were just so amazing to me.

To fully explain what that concert meant to me can be stated fairly simply. The day after I saw that show, I started playing my trumpet again, and since then I've never stopped. It's been quite a haul for me, but I am now making a living as a freelancer in New York City. I've established myself as a lead trumpeter and I'm managing to stay busy. If I hadn't seen Maynard and the band all those years ago, my life might be very different right now.

I've seen Maynard perform many times over the years. I just saw him a few weeks ago at the Blue Note. Although I didn't really think at the time the Blue Note show would be the last time I'd see him, I feel fortunate that I got to see him and I'm grateful for the opportunity to see him that one last time. He was a great inspiration to the trumpet playing community. Right now I can think of no greater understatement than that Maynard Ferguson will be missed.

Russ
I remember Maynard coming to my town a few years ago...my town not being
that musically...inclined, I suppose, it was a huge deal. I showed up 2 hours
early..simply to get a front row center seat. I sat there in shock, the entire
time. Ever since, I've loved his stuff. Our jazz band got to play his version
of Chameleon, and it was an honor to play his part...though I wish I could
have had his help on it. :) That double C at the end is tough. As it is...we've
been having our week long summer band...and today in sectionals, we played
through Birdland. Not quite the same, but you get my drift. It's guys like him
that make you just want to grab the horn and make some music! It wasn't just
the high notes, it wasn't anything in particular, other than...just the way
he played. What passion. Maynard will always be my favorite...as someone said
earlier...the Earth just got a bit quieter, but Heaven sure sounds a lot
higher! May his family be in everyone's thoughts...

Becky Gish
Reading everyone's posts helps deal with the grief and certainly brings
back many happy memories. Although I work in education, its not in music,
so few of my coworkers understood why I had trouble getting through the day
without becoming teary-eyed a few times myself. But you, the TPIN
community, understand and obviously share the same sense of personal loss.

I probably heard Maynard for the first time in the early 70s when I was in
high school. He even toured through the little towns in Kansas back then,
and played the Wichita Jazz Festival a few times. In college, I was
privileged to hear him live a few more times. My trumpet teacher, Cliff
Sproul, had at least one student that ended up in Maynards band. I remember
joining all the area trp players at the concerts, feeling the electricity
Maynard and his band produced, the many times of "experiencing" Hey Jude in
quadrophonic sound when his trp section would spread throughout the
audience. I remember taking some band members out to breakfast after the
gigs (the waiter at Denny's didn't know them until I said "have you heard
the theme song to Rocky?") or to some jazz clubs after they were finished
and just chatting about music, life in the band, etc. and getting to ride
the MF band bus to one of the rural HS concerts. I remember listening to
Maynard warming up on the bus - playing scales up to the 7th, then stopping
-- leading the rest of the band to beg him to resolve it! I remember that
Trumpet Symposium in Denver and everyone trying out different trps by
playing the beginning of Give It One.

Tonight I sat my kids down (9yr and 11yr) and told them who Maynard
Ferguson was and how important he was to so many people. I told them about
my memories of him and played a couple of my favorites, Fox Hunt and Over
the Rainbow. He was in the area last year but I didn't take them because we
had something else on. "We'll catch him next time.." I had said. I told
them how important it was to hear "the great ones" because there's so few
still around and from now on, we aren't going to "catch them next time".
Instead of being distracted by other things, they actually sat and
listened. I think they got it.

Sorry for the long post, just wanted to share with those who "get it".

Condolences to his friends, family, and fellow trumpeters. What an
inspiration to so many. Thanks, Maynard!

Simon Richards
Whilst I'm not a big jazz or screaming high note fan I do recognize Maynard as
a trumpet icon and am saddened by his death. I wish I'd gone to see him at
Ronnie Scott's last year now.

Gordie
I was first introduced to Maynard Ferguson and his music via the Primal Scream album back in the early '70's. It changed my entire direction of musical thought (and my trumpet playing), forever.

Maynard, you are, and will always be, one of the greatest musicians, ever. I love you and thank you. God Bless.

My thoughts also go out to Maynard's band; the guys playing with Maynard up to the end; What a tough gig.....Kudos...and God Bless to you all also.

You all probably saw or felt this coming....thanks for sticking to your guns and doing what you do.

May Maynard smile upon all of his band members....past, present AND future. Play well.

Floyd Crawford
I was a freshman in collage about 1973 and three of us drove from Texas to Northwestern State in Natchitoches, Louisiana to see Maynard. After the concert everyone was gathered around Maynard and I asked him what mouthpiece he used. I guess he had already been asked that about one million times because he had it in his pocket and just handed it to me. I could not believe it. I had by coincidence received a 14A4a just before leaving for the Maynard concert. The next day during jazz band rehearsal I managed to hit, for the only time in my life, a high A at the end of a chart. The director said," Floyd, what's got into you?". I replied that I saw Maynard last night and had a new mouthpiece. He suggested I do that every night.

Maynard, thanks for the excitement your music had given me!

Ray Chantler
Over the past 30+ years I saw Maynard about half a dozen times, mostly
at Ontario Place in the Forum, but once at the Palais Royale and the
last time at the Toronto Jazz festival a couple of years ago.

The Palais Roayle was a kick because there are no seats - it's a dance
hall and we were able to stand 6 feet in front of the stage and watch
Maynard up close. Nobody danced, everyone just stood watching the band
and grooving on the great sound and energy and joy coming off the
stand. It was like getting a transfusion.

I never saw Maynard when he wasn't totally into the music and fully
engaged. It was marvellous to see him a couple of years ago, well into
his seventies and still nailing it, with his big fat sound filling up
the room. And as always he was very gracious, featuring many members
of the band, spreading the credit around.

He was, is and will continue to be an inspiration to us all.

Thank you Maynard.

Jerry Cerchia
I was a freshman in high school in the fall of 1960. The assistant band
director at our high school (Freeport NY) was Chet Ferretti. For some
reason, Chet saw some potential in my playing, and took me under his wing as a student. At the time, Chet was Maynard's lead player. One day
,after school, he told me that he wanted to take me into NYC to hear
Maynard's band play(I had discovered Maynard 2 years prior)

Well, I think that I was about two feet off the ground! What I didn't know
at the time, was that Chet was taking me to a recording studio in NYC where
the band was recording some stuff for the Roulette record label.
When we got there, Chet introduced me to Maynard. Well I think that I needed oxygen at that moment. He was gracious, and flashed that exuberant smile of
his. He said he had a great spot for me to sit to check out what was happening. Chet introduced me to the rest of the trumpets.
..Rick Keifer, and I think the other one was Jerry Tyree. For the next 2
hours, they recorded what would become "Christmas for Moderns", and
"Ole"( Imagine my surprise when I bought the Mosaic CD set and discovered
that I was actually in the studio when some of those tunes were recorded!!!)
.During the break, Maynard walked over to me and asked if I

would hold his horn while he went for coffee. I was stunned, and in AWE! I
had never experienced anything like this in my life. Not only was

Maynard incredible, but Chet's playing was stunning. Maynard was and still
is larger than life to me. While Chet left us too soon, I am happy that
Maynard lived a long and productive life. I think that the common

thread that I have read thru all these posts, is that we all expected him
to be around forever. That we are all still stunned that he has left us. My
memory of Maynard will always be of a person who truly cared about

his music, the people around him, and the future of the music. He was
exuberant in life.He triumphed every time he picked up the horn. I will
mourn his death, but I , like you, will celebrate those triumphs, and his life, every time I listen to one of his recordings.

James Perales
About two years ago I made every effort to see Maynard and got the chance to see him out in Jersey.
I somehow felt that maybe beacuse of his age he would not be touring much longer, and had to see him so that I could also be among the many who would say, I remember when I saw Maynard play...
He was much older than in his heyday, but boy was he impressive. It was a bit different hearing him as an adult/older musician, nonetheless his charm, energy, chops and presence made the night a special event never to be forgotten.
I remember making a painting of him in high school, he was blowing the trumpet in his classic "leaning back" pose white suit and all.
As an impressionable young trumpet player you know I had to get that MFJetTone mouthpiece. When I got it I couldn't play it!
Maynard did so much to spread the gospel of music and trumpet throughout his life, bringing much joy to many doing so.
We should all learn to be as generous in giving and sharing they joy music and playing the trumpet gives.
May God grant peace and comfort to his family and friends in this time of his passing.

Jon Trimble
I don't think I've ever met a trumpet player who didn't know Maynard. I
think we all at one point played along, or tried to play along with some of
his records. His history will certainly be missed. From the greats cats on
his band and where they are today to how much he contributed to the musical
world. Many nights when I was feeling frustrated over a lesson or hit some
wall I was having a hard time getting thru, I would listen to some Maynard
albums.

It was over ten years ago I was in St. Louis and Maynard came to play with
the McDonalds band. I was scared to death but he made everyone so
comfortable. I finally had to ask him about his new high voltage band and
all the hype I was hearing about him. Having listened to a LOT of his old
recordings, his new stuff seemed to lack the intense bebop he once played.
He explained how he had to give the people what they want. He reminded of a
few recent recordings of his I did not have (my bad) and proceded to strike
up the band and burn some of the most intense bebop I ever heard him play.
Not one single high note and you still know it's Maynard....:)

Man Maynard did it right. With his malaria (sp?) some nights he would
feels not so good and seeing him in concert he featured Patrick a little
more. The nights he felt good, look out. Man that guy blew till the very
end. What a legacy!!!!! I hope and pray there will be at least one more
tour to promote his last album. I would like to see some of the alumni
featuring Patrick Hession. I know I'll be buying that album!!!!...:)

Nice run Gabriel....:)

Tim Hutson
While growing up in the 60's I had a trumpet hero. It was Al Hirt. I
know every note on his albums! After high school and not playing for
several decades, I took up the horn again. It was then that I
discovered Maynard. (I know.... I always was a late bloomer). Perhaps
10 years ago I attended my first Maynard concert and as soon as he
started blowing, he blew my mind right out of my head! Energy! Music!
Fun! ....my jaw dropped and my eyes opened wide: "Jeez! How does he
do that!"

I attended another Maynard later (I could call it a "concert" but I
think calling it a "Maynard" says it much better. ...More of an event
really.) and after the show I lined up to buy Maynard stuff including an
album. I waited until he came back out on stage and he patiently signed
everything that people put in front of him. He had a mouthpiece
impression on his lip and I had the distinct impression that he had been
back stage practicing before coming out. (?) It had been only recently
that Al Hirt had died and, while he was in the hospital, I wrote him a
letter saying how much he had meant to me and what he had given to me
without knowing. So, when I approached Maynard (butterflys flapping in
my stomach) I summoned up the courage to say "I just wanted to thank you
for all you've done for me and for trumpet players everywhere.". (I had
to repeat it because I talked too low. Nerves I guess.) He said "Well
thank you!". I was thrilled to have gotten to talk to him and even
more thrilled that he was a real person and responded kindly. Take a
look at the cover of "These Cats Can Swing!". That's a guy that enjoys
what he does! Of course, my copy is better than yours though. Mine
says "Maynard Ferguson" written in the Boss's own hand. :-)

Jim Phillips
Many years ago, I too, was able to go to a Maynard concert in Salina, Kansas. It was at a very large venue, with many attending. The band, as usual was incredible, but there was Maynard standing up there in front of the band filling up this large collisium.....what a wonderful experience.
Two years ago, one of my band parents came into my band room with what looked like a trumpet case and ask me to sit down to listen to a story...to make this short, he was a retired A.P. Photographer and in 1964 had been hired to do a "shoot" for one of Maynard's album covers....he was doing this while Maynard was at a high school big band clinic. One of the H.S. trumpet players didn't have a very good horn and was having trouble playing...Maynard pulled out some money from his pocket and told the kid (with his mother looking on) to go out and buy a decent trumpet. They came back with a Conn Connstelation, just like Maynard's. The mother was complaining about the price of horns, and Maynard said, here, take mine and give me that one. Well,....you know the rest. That boy grew up, became friends with the photographer for life, and gave him that horn...his son wanted me to have it (since he was a baritone player), and I have it! I have no reason not to believe him. Whether it is!
or not, Maynard was a wonderful educator and a great human being.

Bill Schmid
Now that I'm starting to wrap my mind around the fact that Maynard
has truly passed, a couple of thoughts keep popping into my head.

Maynard was my first inspiration to become a trumpet player - besides
my dad, that is. My dad played trumpet and, though he wasn't
particularly enamored of high-note playing, I remember him telling me
stories of going to hear Stan Kenton's band when he was in college
and hearing this young "kid" trumpet player who was absolutely
incredible in the upper register. He mentioned how he and his friends
would sit with their mouths hanging open and watch this "kid" - who
was barely older than they were at the time - perform unbelievably
and effortlessly in the upper reaches of the stratosphere.

My first exposure to his playing was MF Horn I. I know I wore out one
copy of it and had to replace it. I just couldn't believe what I was
hearing! I know that's what started my lifelong love of upper-
register and lead playing.

And then!! I finally got to hear his band live! It was the fall of
1975 and I was a high school senior in the Dayton, OH area. I had
broken my ankle a few weeks before and was in a cast and crutches. I
was enthralled the entire concert - Lynn Nicholson was his lead
player - and the band just smoked. I even got to hear Maynard play
soprano sax. But his trumpet playing - oh, I was in heaven!!! In
addition to his phenomenal playing, he just looked like he was having
the time of his life! And, that was so evident every time I heard him.

With my friends' help, we made our way to the band's bus, where I got
a chance to talk briefly with the man himself. And he signed my
cast!!! Needless to say, I kept that cast for years - until it
finally deteriorated.

My last time to hear him was 3 years ago, when he played in Savannah,
GA. He didn't play as much as in the earlier years, but when he did -
wow! After all those years, he still had that MF sound - huge and
full of life. And he could plaster a loud-as-hell double C against
the back wall!!

I had 2 students who attended the Phi Mu Alpha national convention
last month, where Maynard was honored by that fraternity. They had
their picture taken with him, and got his autograph for me. I'll
treasure those things along all the music and the memories and my
lifelong thanks for instilling so much love of music in me that I'm
able to (hopefully!) convey to my students.

Irony - I'm sitting here after receiving and processing the news with
my ankle that I broke a few weeks ago. Deja vu all over again?

RIP, Maynard.

Kurt Schulenburg
I actually heard the sad news from Scott Englebright. We haven't written in
a while and I was a bit surprised when an e-mail showed up from him... The
Subject was simply "Maynard Ferguson" and the text was nothing more than the
above link. I knew right then that clicking the link would bring me to bad
news.

I have to confess that I'm surprised by two facts: One, that he died so
"young" when his grandparents lived into their hundreds. (I'm not sure if his
parents are still around or not.) And, Two, that he managed to live as long as
he did when the obvious toll of a hard life on the road, as a musician, had
really taken the years out of his body.

I saw him less than a year ago... he looked great, had lost a little weight.
He seemed much sharper than I've EVER seen him, speaking directly and more
to the point than I'd ever heard. His energy levels on stage, while down
from the 40 year old Maynard I first saw in the early seventies, were still far
beyond any other performer I've ever seen. His playing was a little less
over the top, a little more paced and reserved. He seemed to have studied more,
planned for his moments in the sun. The range was still incredible,
unbelievable for a 77 year old man! And while there were certainly moments that could
have been executed a bit cleaner by a younger Maynard, there was no doubt
that this man was still the master of his game, still the "World's Greatest
Trumpet Man"!

And I guess that the most important tribute to my hero, my idol, is that,
right up to the end, he was still having fun, still doing what he wanted to be
doing and enoying himself to the fullest doing it. There was truly a life
well led!

I can't think of ANY other player who changed the way we ALL think about and
approach the trumpet as much as he did. Sure, there were other guys with
the range, there are stronger high note players out there today... but if MF
had stayed with the violin, would there be? Or would we all be squeaking 'em
out instead of blasting them to the back row? And, sure, there are
"classical" players who are quite content with their ranges, who stop at High C or D...
but check out the quotes from Bud Herseth and some of the classical
trumpeters when Maynard came on the scene. They all shook their heads in wonder...
and the next time they picked up their horns, you know they "gave it a
shot"... and most of them shook their heads again...

I know that my world is slightly smaller today...

So... life goes on.

Brian Bass
I must say, a very large piece me died when Maynard passed away.
He was my inspiration in playing lead and soloing in front of a band. What a
player, showman, gentleman; always willing to take time out to shake a hand
and talk to the kids. He has definitely done more for exciting the kids than
any other player I know of. I wonder how many solid lead players there woul