Fascinating! And I just returned from a Jazz Concert tonight.
I used to hang on the edge of the stage at the Surf Ballrom absorbing the
sounds of Stan Kenton, et. al.
But I turned down the ride to the Surf the night that Buddy Holly was there,
and of course I missed the Royal Teens the year before.
My horn has been "muted" for several decades and is only an ornament on the
bass response speaker. As it should be.
I saw betty grables' ex-husband on campus in 1960....Who can forget Cherry
Pink and Apple Blossom....
Saw a few other great along the way....all very memorable.
Maynard Feruson would be a treat. A big one.
What wrong with wrestling? I did that in college, too.
Thanks for sharing this.
> So, it was 1973, as a young high school trumpet player, that I first saw
> Maynard Ferguson.
>
>
>
> He'd burst on the scene as a stratospheric high note player with Stan Kenton
> in 1950. He worked on n soundtracks in Hollywood in the mid 50's. . Later
> on, he led the Birdland Dream Band. In the late 60's and early 70's, he
> lived in India and England. He put a band back together in England, and had
> a hit with his version of McArthur Park. He brought that band back to the US
> in the early 70's. The English musicians were soon replaced my the best of
> the best of recent grads of American Universities such as North Texas State,
> and the Berklee School of Music. It was in this timeframe that I saw him at
> Rolling Meadows High School. I was a lead and jazz soloist trumpet player,
> and Ferguson's phenomenal range just killed me.
>
>
>
> For a while, I had thoughts of working very hard, and trying to make his
> band, but extended life on the road, in a bus, with a bunch of other guys
> appealed to me about as much as 6 weeks of wrestling in gym class. I took
> up guitar, started singing, and made a very good living with a modest amount
> of success for 10 years, playing clubs, jingle, and studio work. In various
> bands, I'd pick up the horn for a quick 24 bars, but I really ceased any
> serious trumpet playing in the late 70's.
>
>
>
> Maynard had a pop top 10 single in 1978 with his Theme from Rocky. The album
> Conquistador was Grammy nominated. I'd go out of my way over the years to
> see him whenever he was in the area.
>
>
>
> Today, at 77 years of age, Maynard's still touring, with his band Big Bop
> Nouveau. I saw him last Oct., and after 30+ years off the horn, I once again
> found my inspiration to pick up a trumpet and start playing again.
>
>
>
> I've seen him twice since, and through some circumstances, had the
> opportunity to do some promotional work with them through my vinyl graphics
> business. We'd been talking about having me produce a show or two in Oct. in
> WI when the band was once again in the area.
>
>
>
> Last Sunday, the band called me, needing a favor. Their date in MI on May
> 6th had been cancelled, and needed some help trying to locate a venue on
> short notice. I've managed to book the band at Fond du Lac High School. The
> Fond du Lac area, and the Fox Cities have a long tradition of supporting
> live jazz, and I'm confident that even with short notice, we're going to
> have a successful show.
>
>
>
> The concert is May 7th, a Sunday night, 7:30 PM. Tickets are $15.
> Additionally; Nancy and I will be hosting a Thicko party at the Dream Farm
> for Maynard &the band. That will either take place Sat. the 6th, or Sunday
> afternoon.
>
>
>
> Any of you jazz fans would like this show. Even at 77, Maynard still plays
> in amazing fashion. His band, as usual, is smokin'. You all are not only
> invited to the concert, but to the party as well. Let me know if you're
> interested, and I'll get you specific information.
>
>
>
> For a little video history, look at
>
>
>
> <http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/maynard%20ferguson%20trumpet/1>
>
>
>
> Wm. Severin Thompson
/// unsubscribe/change address requests to majordomo@autox.team.net or try
/// http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo
/// Archives at http://www.team.net/archive/team-thicko
|