Jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson dies at age 78

go.reuters.com ^ | Thu Aug 24, 2006

[AppyPappy]

Too bad the university library only has one MF work on CD : Message from Newport

I wanted Horn but they only have it in vinyl. I love the way he played Eli's Coming.

[ecurbh]

Awww, geez. He was one of the greats.

Gonna go put on Primal Scream now...

[bmwcyle]

He was one of the greatest. I have seen him live. God Bless and keep him.

[HairOfTheDog]

Maynard Kicked Ass. No doubt about it. :~)

We saw him live at our high school, and it was a terrific show. A great moment in the concert was a return ovation where the trumpets all appeared from various entrances at the back of the auditorium playing Hey Jude.

[Pyro7480]

Yup, most jazz musicians used drugs. However, for pure unalterated greatness (amongst jazz trumpeters), there was Clifford Brown. He was "straight edge" before there was even such a term! I could listen to his music for hours (it also helps that we share the same hometown: Wilmington, DE).

[Heyworth]

I'd guess that most of our major jazz musicians have used some illegal drugs. Does that make me appreciate their music any less? Not a chance.

I agree with you. And many of the best jazz guys were junkies, especially that 40s-50s generation. Some kicked it (Miles), some didn't (Chet Baker), and some it killed (Bird). Armstrong was a pothead his whole life. But Ferguson's cocaine intake was legendary, even among jazz musicians.

Personally, I'm a Monk guy.

[Pyro7480]

Jazz is "classical music"? LOL, that'll upset some purists! ;-) Then again, I don't think Stravinsky is "classical" either. Anything after Chopin, for the most part, isn't classical.

[SF Republican]

KNTU - When I was in Dallas use to pick that up at night - sweet. Is the One O'Clock Lab Band still running? The Going Band from Raider Land (Texas Tech marching band) was a great show in the 60-80's but I understand it has dropped off a bit.

[sitetest]

Dear Pyro7480,

We've often pinged the list for music issues that didn't quite fall into a strict definition of "classical music."

As far as I'm concerned, after Beethoven, it's all downhill. ;-)


sitetest

[L.N. Smithee]

OH, NO! As someone raised on Top 40 radio, Maynard Ferguson was one of the jazz artists I enjoyed most. To me, he was the brass equivalent of Edward Van Halen, Jeff Beck, or Stevie Ray Vaughan, someone who could always be counted on to dazzle you with his unique skills at least once on every track.

I recently discovered that one of my favorite TV themes featured a Ferguson solo. The short-lived 1973 series "Roll Out!" was created by the men who brought M*A*S*H to the small screen; it was about the exploits of the Red Ball Express, a 75% black convoy unit serving the Allies in WWII. It starred the late Cleavon Little of Blazing Saddles fame.

Dave Grusin is credited with composing the theme, found on this page, but Ferguson's amazing range and accuracy are like a fingerprint, and I have no doubt it's him.

[Squawk 8888]

(((.)))

[Pyro7480]

As far as I'm concerned, after Beethoven, it's all downhill. ;-)

We're in general agreement then, though I have a great soft spot for Chopin.

[WakeUpAndVote]

I met him twice, I remember that red ruby ring.

[Bahbah]

As far as I'm concerned, after Beethoven, it's all downhill

We have that in common ;)

[Armed Civilian]

I was in the band in HS we were competing in a national competition and we got to see him in concert Atlanta GA in 1983. I went out and bought his stuff right away and have loved his music ever since.

[fanfan]

Canada ping.

Please send me a FReepmail to get on or off this Canada ping list.

[OldFriend]

RIP, he was among the best.

[Ramius]

Ack!

Put on a little Birdland for me, if you would... :-)

Maynard was a real inspiration to millions of high school jazz bands. He made a point of touring high school band programs. There won't be another one like him for a long while.

[JmyBryan]

Used to really enjoy Maynard's concerts at the Summerfest Miller Jazz Oasis in America's drunkest city.

[Ramius]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/24/AR2006082401009.html

I love this line:

"Someone just said, `Gabriel, move over to second trumpet,'" [friend and manager] Schankman said from his St. Louis office. "He was the last of the greats. That era is closed. There is no Kenton, no Basie, no Ellington, and now, no Ferguson."

Heh. "Gabriel, move over to second trumpet." Even God will chuckle at that one.