The Greatest Trumpet Player in the World Mr. Maynard Ferguso

mikevax · Regular Member Joined: 18 Dec 2002 Posts: 30

While Maynard was one of my idols while I was growing up, and I work with Stan quite often, I think we all have to agree that there is NO greatest trumpet player in the world. There are so many great players in their own right, and so many different styles of trumpet playing, that it is just imposible to chose a "best." Now if you want to talk about YOUR favorite player and why, that might be a great subject. I would probably have to pick as many favorites as there are styles of playing.
One of my favorites, most of you haven't even heard of. He is Geroge Geiger in Hungary. He just blows me away.
Mike Vax

groovinhigher · Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2002 5:04 pm Post subject:

I have to tell you, if you look at the totality of Maynard's career, my estimation, no one has ever played all the incrdible stuff Maynard has, night after night, year after year, and stood head and shoulders above everyone for so long. Maynard has inspired and led bands with some of our other heroes, and he always stood out whether in the great bands he had in the sixties, the recording of a live concert of him performing "Titans" with Bernstein conducting the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, or any of those great seventies albums, or the killer sound tracks to those Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis movies he was on. In fifty years of Maynard being at the top, not another person has walked on this planet that could do all the stuff Maynard has done. That is a heck of a statement. Lot's of other world class legends to be sure, but I will always say without question, Maynard is the man. All you have to do is build a collection of his stuff from the fifties to today! Everyone has an opinion, and that's mine, lol...

As far as anyone picking on Maynard's tone, they are obviously not hearing the same thing I am on all those albums.

_________________
Rich Wetzel
Trumpet Artist / Band Leader / Holton - Leblanc Clinician
"Rich Wetzel's Groovin Higher Jazz Orchestra"
http://www.richwetzel.com
http://www.groovinhigher.com

[ This Message was edited by: groovinhigher on 2002-12-24 20:06 ]

dmb · Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2002 9:02 am Post subject:

Maynard gets the lifetime award in my book. He not only has played everything he's played with everybody. His bands have always included the best of the best. I've been lucky enough to see him perform 11 times since the mid-70's. From Stan Mark to Patrick Hession, his lead trumpets have been world class. I hope eveyone got a chance to see Patrick last year with Maynard. He played MacArthur Park and sounded like Maynard when he was younger. I will see Maynard next Feb. when he comes to Indiana. At 74 years old, Maynard is still "The Man".
Dan Burton

GTM · Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2002 8:36 am Post subject:

Without a doubt, Maynard has influenced many generations of trumpet players! I was fortunate enough to see him a few weeks ago in the Houston area...there's nothing like his introduction and the first few notes he plays on "Blue Birdland!" My wife thoroughly enjoyed his concert as well!

I do, however, agree with Mike Vax's comments. No further comment needed here.

I was able to visit, briefly, with Pat Hession. I found Pat to be a very polite and kind young man...and he IS an incredible trumpet player!

In closing, I can relate to Bob Odneal's comment, made during the night of the Houston concert, which went something like, "After all these years, I still wish I was Maynard." (Bob is also an excellent player, having toured with Maynard in the early 80s. Bob's got great chops too!)

Kudos Maynard! Your excellent reputation is well deserved!

Rev. Michael Guevara, DMM
GTM - Golden Trumpet Ministries

capriman · Regular Member Joined: 20 Dec 2002 Posts: 41

I really liked MF in the late `40s ,the 50s and early 60s.He played well thought out solos.
He could Bop or blow Cool.He new how to put a group together. Great arrangements.
I can`t say as I like what He`s been doing from the late 60s up to now,but you can`t go by me.
I don`t like much of anything thats being done now.
Of course thats just my opnion,and believe me,I know what thats worth!
Also, I`m talking about what`s being played,not how it`s being played.Anytime you can hear someone practicing 3 miles away,they must be doing something right!

[ This Message was edited by: capriman on 2003-01-03 16:03 ]

cdntrumpeter · Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2003 4:15 am Post subject:

My former mother in law grew up living two doors down from Maynard in Montreal. His mom used to kick him out of the house because all he did was play his horn and she wanted him to " get some fresh air" He would just bring his horn outside and sit on the back steps and blow. Apparently, there was rarely a break from his practicing. I saw Maynard in Montreal in the 70's.......amazing!!

Liad Bar-EL · Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2003 4:33 am Post subject:

Below is a message I wrote in TPIN about Maynard.

Be well and safe everyone,

Liad Bar-EL

*********************************************************************

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-tpin@parnassus.dana.edu
> [mailto:owner-tpin@parnassus.dana.edu]On Behalf Of Liad Bar-EL
> Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2001 3:26 AM
> To: tpin@parnassus.dana.edu
> Subject: [TPIN] Maynard Ferguson – Big Bop Nouveau Band
>
>
> Performed at the Tel Aviv Port Hangar 11 (sea side). Just
> got back home
> (2:00am and am writing this message at 3:00am) Whew!! What an exciting
> night. This was the first time in Israel for everyone in the band.
>
> While eating dinner before the performance, suddenly in walks the MF
> band wearing black pants and black T-Shirts of MF’s name and
> picture on
> them. I introduced myself and they all gave you regards,
> “Scotty”. Had
> a nice long talk with Jeff from Florida and with Patrick who says he
> subs for you, Scotty during New Years in the Paul Anka band.
>
> The band started up with seemed like a fanfare as each group got on
> stage and the sound grew bigger and more brilliant when MF
> came on stage
> in his white coat, picked up his horn and out blew everyone on stage
> making everyone sit back agashed and stunned at such power he
> plays that
> comparatively small looking horn.
>
> Nobody in the trumpet section could match MF’s tone. Does
> anyone think
> that one of the reasons are because MF is playing with a #19 mpc hole
> and everyone else has a #27 hole? Anyway, MF has a richer tone than
> what I expected. During the break, I discussed this tone with Patrick
> along with hardware, his horn configuration, Monette horns and sounds,
> etc of which I could save for another forum thread.
>
> Band makeup:
>
> Trumpets:
> Lead: Patrick Hession
> Jazz: Paul Armstrong
> 3rd & band manager: Peter Furguson (nephew to Maynard)
>
> Drums: Brian Wolf
> String Bass: Brian Stahrsky (spelling)
> Piano: Jeft Lashway
> Sax (tenor): Jeff Rupert
> Sax (alto): Mike Dubanowitz
> Trombone: Reggie Watkins
> Sound Engineer: Travis Hatem (spelling)
>
> The band really came alive and so did the audience with the following
> pieces.
>
> Blue Birdland
> Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t got that Swing
> Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone
> Milestones (Tribute to Miles)
> The Girl From Ipanema
> Misera Daynuka (spelling) (Firebird used here)
> I Love You
> Sunny Side of the Street (Maynard sand this)
> Then a melody of various pieces “which made me (MF) rich and famous”
> Blue Birdland again for endingencore
>
> They ended at 1:00am, needed to be at the air port by 3:00am two hours
> before the flight at 5:00am to fly to a gig in Germany and
> other places
> in Europe only to return in the USA (LA, Calif) for a recording with
> Diane Shur (spelling).
>
> MF has a lot of energy for his age or rather for anybody's age. What
> else can I say? You were great Maynard and so was the band.
>
> Good night,
>
> Liad