One More Trip to Birdland Please
I just found out that one of my childhood heroes passed away a few days ago. Maynard Ferguson, the master of the trumpet's high range, died on August 23rd from several ailments. Any Maynard Fans that read this a press release is out on the following page http://www.maynardferguson.com/
To me Maynard was not just a great musician, he was an inspiration. HE was one of the reasons that despite not being the greatest jazz musician there is that I kept on playing. Hearing "The Boss" wail was one of the coolest things I ever did. It was also one of the connections that my family all had. My dad introduced me to his music when I was just starting high school. My junior year he took me out to see one of his concerts. Maynards signature was playing super high- about 2 octaves higher than I ever could. The first concert was amazing. Then the following year our school Jazz Band played a tune off of his MF Horn 2 album, a cover of the Beatles "Hey Jude". Ironically I got to play and take down an octave Maynard's solo. Later that year I saw him again with my dad and a couple of guys from the jazz band. It was sweet, but not the best. The summer before I left for DePauw I got to see Maynard at a legendary jazz club in London, Ronnie Scotts, with my Uncle Nick and Aunt Karen. Sadly that trip was the last time I would see Aunt Karen as she passed away just over a year later, but it was a memorable night. Maynard and the band were fantastic, and the drunk Englishmen in the front row yelling "Hey Maynaaaarrrrdddddd, play BBIIIIIRRRRRDDDDLLLLLAAAAAANNNNDDDDDDDDDDDD!" Over and over again was priceless.
So all I can say is a great man was lost and I am proud to say that I heard him live.
To me Maynard was not just a great musician, he was an inspiration. HE was one of the reasons that despite not being the greatest jazz musician there is that I kept on playing. Hearing "The Boss" wail was one of the coolest things I ever did. It was also one of the connections that my family all had. My dad introduced me to his music when I was just starting high school. My junior year he took me out to see one of his concerts. Maynards signature was playing super high- about 2 octaves higher than I ever could. The first concert was amazing. Then the following year our school Jazz Band played a tune off of his MF Horn 2 album, a cover of the Beatles "Hey Jude". Ironically I got to play and take down an octave Maynard's solo. Later that year I saw him again with my dad and a couple of guys from the jazz band. It was sweet, but not the best. The summer before I left for DePauw I got to see Maynard at a legendary jazz club in London, Ronnie Scotts, with my Uncle Nick and Aunt Karen. Sadly that trip was the last time I would see Aunt Karen as she passed away just over a year later, but it was a memorable night. Maynard and the band were fantastic, and the drunk Englishmen in the front row yelling "Hey Maynaaaarrrrdddddd, play BBIIIIIRRRRRDDDDLLLLLAAAAAANNNNDDDDDDDDDDDD!" Over and over again was priceless.
So all I can say is a great man was lost and I am proud to say that I heard him live.