Gil Johnson vs Maynard Ferguson

valvepimp · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2003 8:57 pm Post subject:

Here is a quote from a recent thread in The Lounge:

Still Trying · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2003 2:26 am Post subject:

I'd rather play like Gil any day.
_________________
S. T.

What do we have that we did not receive, and if we received it, why do we glory, as if we received it not?

trickg · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2003 4:07 am Post subject:

I thought I read or saw somewhere that Maynard was a young virtuoso and did some performing with several Canadian symphonies prior to his move toward jazz, so maybe at one time, he had the kind of chops to be an orchestral player. Still, playing in an orchestra takes an altogether higher level of proficiency behind the horn, and a much higher level of discipline.

I would say that Gil Johnson was undoubtedly the better player technically, but I'd much rather listen to Maynard and be able to blow like that!

_________________
Patrick Gleason
- Jupiter 1600i, ACB 3C, Warburton 4SVW/Titmus RT2
- Brasspire Unicorn C
- ACB Doubler

"95% of the average 'weekend warrior's' problems will be solved by an additional 30 minutes of insightful practice." - PLP

Larry Smithee · Heavyweight Member Joined: 11 Nov 2001 Posts: 4399

valvepimp · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2003 11:50 am Post subject:

Larry - unfortunately Gilbert Johnson passed away some time ago, I don't recall the year, can anyone fill that in for us? For the purposes of this topic, it would be best to compare the 2 players in their respective primes, one need not go by Maynard of today.

valvepimp · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2003 11:55 am Post subject:

I just looked it up, Gil Johnson was the same age as Maynard (actually 8 months older), and passed away last September.

http://www.trumpetguild.org/news/news02/johnson.htm

[ This Message was edited by: valvepimp on 2003-07-30 15:00 ]

[ This Message was edited by: valvepimp on 2003-07-30 15:09 ]

Still Trying · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2003 12:20 pm Post subject:

Even if I compare Gil and Maynard side by side on the best day of their lives, I would still rather play like Gil. That is not intended to show any type of disrespect toward Maynard in any shape, form, or fashion. I love to listen to him and greatly admire him. But if I had my choice of being principal trumpet of a major symphony or a great jazz trumpeter, I would choose the symphony job. It all comes back to my preference in music. I have listened to symphony music a hundred hours for every one I have spent listening to jazz. It's just the way my taste in music runs. So as I said, I would rather be able to play like Gil.
_________________
S. T.

What do we have that we did not receive, and if we received it, why do we glory, as if we received it not?

Larry Smithee · Heavyweight Member Joined: 11 Nov 2001 Posts: 4399

richj50 · Veteran Member Joined: 02 Dec 2001 Posts: 370

Bud Herseth said that Maynard was the greatest trumpet player in this part of the century. Although I am strictly a classical player without any real jazz improv skills or screech chops, I'd much rather play like Maynard than any classical player -- especially Maynard in his early years (Stan Kenton and shortly thereafter). His sound and control during that period is just breathtaking.

JoeWats · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2003 6:28 pm Post subject:

Maynard for me anyday! The "Raw Power" of his playing is still awesome ... even today!

JW

drunkiq · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2003 6:33 pm Post subject:

i read somewhere that someone wrote a classical piece that was so hard that they had to call maynard in to play it... it was written with him in mind... anyone remember this? and more importantly - does anyone have the recording

-marc

Trptbenge · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2003 6:37 pm Post subject:

" Bud Herseth said that Maynard was the greatest trumpet player in this part of the century."

Actually, I read an interview with Herseth where he commented about Maynards Playing.
He actually said that he was the best brass player of our generation. The long time Maynard fans will remember he used to play many different instruments including: Valve and slide trombones, French Horn, Baritone, flugelhorn, Firebird trumpet and of course B flat trumpet.

There are many great technical players I would love to play like (ie Mendez) there is always something about Maynard's sound. As Stan Kenton introduced Maynard on the 1953 recording called Overture (this is an orchestra) "There are a few musicians capable of creating feelings of fire and we're lucky because we have one". Or Lew Soloff who said that when he played in Maynards band - one of his greatest thrills was during the first concert he was playing and all of a sudden it sounded like 9 trumpets had come in and it was Maynard standing off to the side of the trumpet section. Maynard still has that effect when you hear him. He is indeed an icon.

Mike Ackerman
Lawrenceville, GA

[ This Message was edited by: Trptbenge on 2003-07-30 21:39 ]

orenthal resets · Regular Member Joined: 18 May 2003 Posts: 45

Maurice Andre VS Cat Anderson
Who would win?
What would the odds be and for whom?
Would there be a rematch?

King1500 · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2003 7:57 pm Post subject:

Id rather play Classical like Gilbert and Jazz like Maynard!!

Craig
_________________
A word to the wise isn't necessary -- it's the stupid ones that need the advice.

Pat · Veteran Member Joined: 18 Nov 2001 Posts: 396

Marc: I don't know which classical piece you mean that was written for Maynard, but about a year ago I read a reivew about a box set of historic NY Philharmonic performances that had been released. The reviewer mentioned a thrilling performance where Maynard was the soloist and he hits a high D at the end. Maybe you can find the recording. ( I think Bernstein was the conductor)

nieuwguyski · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2003 11:32 am Post subject:

The piece is called "The Titans," by William Russo. Maynard was featured in one movement, and I believe the part was written up to Ds above double C.
_________________
J. Notso Nieuwguyski

AccentOnTrumpet · Heavyweight Member Joined: 03 Nov 2002 Posts: 878

Someone said orchestral music requires more competence on the horn than big band music. How do you figure? Most orchestral music features more strings than trumpet and overall I think lead trumpet is more demanding. Not to say orchestra playing is not demanding because it obviously is, but playing one or the other has nothing to do with whether you're better or not. I've known some people who chose to be jazz players but could probably smoke 90% of orchestral players. As for Maynard vs. Gil Johnson...lol...How about this one: Jon Faddis Vs. Phil Smith? Or Doc Severinsen Vs. Bud Herseth? lol...

Castle Bravo · Heavyweight Member Joined: 13 Apr 2003 Posts: 542

Whenever one compares apples and oranges, sooner or later someone will say:
uhhhhh....but I hate apples!

valvepimp · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2003 7:05 am Post subject:

Clarion Wind · Veteran Member Joined: 23 Jun 2003 Posts: 141

I'd have to say that Maynard was way far and away better at his specific area of expertise(lead trumpet playing) compared to his contemporaries in that field, than Gil Johnson was compared to the orchestral trumpet players that were his peers at the time and during their careers. Gil was great, and in the end, I might enjoy listening to Gil more than Maynard, but no one will ever claim Gil was the greatest orchestral player there ever was, but many will claim Maynard was the greatest lead/screech player there ever was.