Dave Dickey, trombone - Groove Bone Radio
Walter “Maynard" Ferguson was one of the most influential musicians and band leaders in the history of Jazz. Not only was Maynard a great musician, but also a great educator. He spent many hours/days/years educating musicians of all ages about jazz music. As David Von Drehle from the Washington Post mentioned, “Maynard Ferguson did his best to blow some hormones back into the band room". Well said. He started the careers of many well-known musicians. I contacted some of those musicians (both trombones and other instrumentalists) that have played with Maynard and asked them how they felt about Maynard and performing with him.
Nick Lane, trombone
Obviously Maynard's passing was a surprise to me....after all, Sai Baba had told him he would live to 92, so I wasn't worried about him. But in loss there is the realization of gratitude for having lived and shared time with MF. I had just graduated Berklee (College in Boston) and to have the opportunity to join the band in 1977 when it was hot on the success of Rocky was a real stroke of luck. Maynard was always one to encourage others, but he also liked to push the envelope...try something different and with that came my opportunity to bring charts into the band and work them out on the road and then record them......the 17 charts he recorded on 5 albums was my real music education! When I hear any of the 5 songs we “wrote" together, it still reminds me of those great hangs in Ojai. When I think of all the young musicians he inspired over the years, it leaves a void that will be difficult to fill. There just aren't the same opportunities for young musicians to travel and play every night any more. I am forever indebted to Maynard for the opportunities he gave me and the positive outlook his influence inspired.
Alex Iles, trombone
Like so many other people who got the opportunity to play, tour and/or record with Maynard, I had grown up being in awe of him as a player, a bandleader and as a stage personna. He was like no one before or since in the world of jazz. His band was always one of my favorites.
As a teenager whenever I watched Maynard and his band perform I learned how fun good quality music can be play and to listen to. He provided a portal to the whole world of jazz for thousands of young people who came to his concerts, most of whom played instruments themselves. Going to one of his concerts, you might hear Maynard play music composed by Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, or Charlie Parker. These tunes would be presented in amazing arrangements often written by members of the Maynard's own band. He was all about bridging musical gaps.
When I joined the band in 1985 [replacing MF veteran Steve Wiest] I officially had my first REAL gig. Out there on tour was a blast every night. Even when circumstances were less than ideal, Maynard was up and ON! I remember one winter the bus lost its brakes in the Rocky Mountains!! The bus driver miraculously pulled the bus over to the side of the windy road. As we pulled to a stop, there was that little moment of silence as we all just realized that we could have easily crashed... but didn't. The silence was broken by Maynard walking down the aisle of the bus with a plate of various kinds of cheeses offering them up like a flight attendant, saying sarcastic things like, “We are very sorry for the delay and the inconvenience this may have caused." We were stuck up there for hours until they got another bus for us. We played football and jumped around in the snow until help finally arrived. No big deal for Maynard!!
Playing trombone on Maynard's band meant that you were the caretaker for MF's Superbone. He was not playing it very much at the time, so I basically used it to prop up our sagging bunk on the bus!! Maynard DID pull it out a couple years later and played some great stuff with valve trombonist Mike Fahn I recall.
Also, Maynard was the same way whether it was an audience of 5 or 5000. He played all out ALL THE TIME.
He shared the stage graciously with the band. He could easily turn it into “your" show at anytime too--always with that twinkle in his eye. He was great at getting the audience excited about each member of his band. We all got featured in some fashion every night.
I also remember how enthusiastic students were whenever we did workshops and clinics with the band. Maynard was JUST as enthusiastic about them! I really learned a lot of important lessons from Maynard when it came to music education to which he was very dedicated. He knew how much the kids looked up to him and accepted the responsibility of being that kind of role model his whole career. He could have EASILY been, like too many other “famous" artists, moody, stuffy, elusive or just a prima donna, but he was NEVER that way. EVER!!
He always made time for autographs, photos, etc. He would greet everyone with that big warm smile of his. He made those who met him feel like a friend for life.
In terms of trombone-specific thinking, Maynard was a great “proving ground" for many trombonists over the years...Nick Lane, Randy Purcell, Jerry Johnson, Joe Jackson, Slide Hampton, Don Sebesky, Dante Luciani, Mike Fahn, Steve Wiest, Tom Garling, Reggie Watkins, Rich Berkeley, Keith Oshiro. But Maynard HIMSELF was a BAAAAD valve bone player. He shines on that swinging recording by Russ Garcia from the 60's, “I'll Never Forget What's Her Name". MF goes toe-to-toe with Frank Rosolino! His “Superbone Meets the Badman" is also a classic. And what a great Superbone solo by the Boss!!
My warmest condolences go out to Maynard's family and also to his long time road manager and a fantastic guy who helped me acquire whatever “road chops" I have today, Ed Seargent
Steve Wiest, trombone
Long before I had the honor of performing with Maynard Ferguson, I was way into his amazing trumpet playing, his bands, and the great music that he brought forth from the gifted arrangers in his groups. There was always a soulful spark of excitement, a true bit of magic in every piece that he performed. Whether it was the swingin bebop-laced straight ahead stuff, or a fusion piece or even some of that crazy disco music, an aura of joy always came through. When I joined the band in 1981, I found out that the reason for this consistency was Maynard himself; his sound, his talent, and his happy philosophy.
To be a part of Maynards band was to join a family. To Maynard, life was something to celebrate, every minute of every day. Every time I ever heard him play, whether it was an important concert, a warm up, a recording, or just buzzing his mouthpiece, he always played as if it was going to be his last chance to do so. I have never seen anyone enjoy music as much as Maynard did, and believe me, this joy was very infectious. All of us in the MF family were constantly moved by his attitude of delight. In fact, I never heard Maynard chuckle, he always laughed out loud in a flat-out affirmation of love. I know that my association with this larger-than-life man has been a great source of inspiration and renewal for me over the 25 years that Ive been a part of his party.
While all of us were astounded by his abundant musical gifts and talent, his ability to nurture and further so many musicians that came through his bands was amazing. Maynard taught all of us so very much about pacing a solo, building a phrase, playing a romantic melody and respecting the audience. His gracious approach in lending the stage to his musicians and allowing us all to find ourselves was enormous. In short, he was all about love all the time. It came through loud-and- clear in his music and how he treated his musicians and fans
People who came to a Maynard concert for the first time would often wonder at the practice of band members shaking hands with him before and after each solo, or his habit of posturing the Indian namaste to each of his musicians. This was Maynards way of thanking us for the sharing of talent, and saluting all that is holy and divine in each of us. How priceless is THAT? I was so touched and warmed every single time that I shook his hand, gave him a big hug, or received his salute of namaste. I have simply never known a more genuine, happy, sincere, or talented human being. Maynard taught me to appreciate the magic in music, to value what is special and holy in people, and how to pass that on to others. For that lesson and for so many others I am forever grateful.
We have all benefited greatly by the life of this giant man, and while I mourn his passing, I thrill at his music and celebrate his loving legacy.
Walter “Maynard" Ferguson was one of the most influential musicians and band leaders in the history of Jazz. Not only was Maynard a great musician, but also a great educator. He spent many hours/days/years educating musicians of all ages about jazz music. As David Von Drehle from the Washington Post mentioned, “Maynard Ferguson did his best to blow some hormones back into the band room". Well said. He started the careers of many well-known musicians. I contacted some of those musicians (both trombones and other instrumentalists) that have played with Maynard and asked them how they felt about Maynard and performing with him.
Nick Lane, trombone
Obviously Maynard's passing was a surprise to me....after all, Sai Baba had told him he would live to 92, so I wasn't worried about him. But in loss there is the realization of gratitude for having lived and shared time with MF. I had just graduated Berklee (College in Boston) and to have the opportunity to join the band in 1977 when it was hot on the success of Rocky was a real stroke of luck. Maynard was always one to encourage others, but he also liked to push the envelope...try something different and with that came my opportunity to bring charts into the band and work them out on the road and then record them......the 17 charts he recorded on 5 albums was my real music education! When I hear any of the 5 songs we “wrote" together, it still reminds me of those great hangs in Ojai. When I think of all the young musicians he inspired over the years, it leaves a void that will be difficult to fill. There just aren't the same opportunities for young musicians to travel and play every night any more. I am forever indebted to Maynard for the opportunities he gave me and the positive outlook his influence inspired.
Alex Iles, trombone
Like so many other people who got the opportunity to play, tour and/or record with Maynard, I had grown up being in awe of him as a player, a bandleader and as a stage personna. He was like no one before or since in the world of jazz. His band was always one of my favorites.
As a teenager whenever I watched Maynard and his band perform I learned how fun good quality music can be play and to listen to. He provided a portal to the whole world of jazz for thousands of young people who came to his concerts, most of whom played instruments themselves. Going to one of his concerts, you might hear Maynard play music composed by Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, or Charlie Parker. These tunes would be presented in amazing arrangements often written by members of the Maynard's own band. He was all about bridging musical gaps.
When I joined the band in 1985 [replacing MF veteran Steve Wiest] I officially had my first REAL gig. Out there on tour was a blast every night. Even when circumstances were less than ideal, Maynard was up and ON! I remember one winter the bus lost its brakes in the Rocky Mountains!! The bus driver miraculously pulled the bus over to the side of the windy road. As we pulled to a stop, there was that little moment of silence as we all just realized that we could have easily crashed... but didn't. The silence was broken by Maynard walking down the aisle of the bus with a plate of various kinds of cheeses offering them up like a flight attendant, saying sarcastic things like, “We are very sorry for the delay and the inconvenience this may have caused." We were stuck up there for hours until they got another bus for us. We played football and jumped around in the snow until help finally arrived. No big deal for Maynard!!
Playing trombone on Maynard's band meant that you were the caretaker for MF's Superbone. He was not playing it very much at the time, so I basically used it to prop up our sagging bunk on the bus!! Maynard DID pull it out a couple years later and played some great stuff with valve trombonist Mike Fahn I recall.
Also, Maynard was the same way whether it was an audience of 5 or 5000. He played all out ALL THE TIME.
He shared the stage graciously with the band. He could easily turn it into “your" show at anytime too--always with that twinkle in his eye. He was great at getting the audience excited about each member of his band. We all got featured in some fashion every night.
I also remember how enthusiastic students were whenever we did workshops and clinics with the band. Maynard was JUST as enthusiastic about them! I really learned a lot of important lessons from Maynard when it came to music education to which he was very dedicated. He knew how much the kids looked up to him and accepted the responsibility of being that kind of role model his whole career. He could have EASILY been, like too many other “famous" artists, moody, stuffy, elusive or just a prima donna, but he was NEVER that way. EVER!!
He always made time for autographs, photos, etc. He would greet everyone with that big warm smile of his. He made those who met him feel like a friend for life.
In terms of trombone-specific thinking, Maynard was a great “proving ground" for many trombonists over the years...Nick Lane, Randy Purcell, Jerry Johnson, Joe Jackson, Slide Hampton, Don Sebesky, Dante Luciani, Mike Fahn, Steve Wiest, Tom Garling, Reggie Watkins, Rich Berkeley, Keith Oshiro. But Maynard HIMSELF was a BAAAAD valve bone player. He shines on that swinging recording by Russ Garcia from the 60's, “I'll Never Forget What's Her Name". MF goes toe-to-toe with Frank Rosolino! His “Superbone Meets the Badman" is also a classic. And what a great Superbone solo by the Boss!!
My warmest condolences go out to Maynard's family and also to his long time road manager and a fantastic guy who helped me acquire whatever “road chops" I have today, Ed Seargent
Steve Wiest, trombone
Long before I had the honor of performing with Maynard Ferguson, I was way into his amazing trumpet playing, his bands, and the great music that he brought forth from the gifted arrangers in his groups. There was always a soulful spark of excitement, a true bit of magic in every piece that he performed. Whether it was the swingin bebop-laced straight ahead stuff, or a fusion piece or even some of that crazy disco music, an aura of joy always came through. When I joined the band in 1981, I found out that the reason for this consistency was Maynard himself; his sound, his talent, and his happy philosophy.
To be a part of Maynards band was to join a family. To Maynard, life was something to celebrate, every minute of every day. Every time I ever heard him play, whether it was an important concert, a warm up, a recording, or just buzzing his mouthpiece, he always played as if it was going to be his last chance to do so. I have never seen anyone enjoy music as much as Maynard did, and believe me, this joy was very infectious. All of us in the MF family were constantly moved by his attitude of delight. In fact, I never heard Maynard chuckle, he always laughed out loud in a flat-out affirmation of love. I know that my association with this larger-than-life man has been a great source of inspiration and renewal for me over the 25 years that Ive been a part of his party.
While all of us were astounded by his abundant musical gifts and talent, his ability to nurture and further so many musicians that came through his bands was amazing. Maynard taught all of us so very much about pacing a solo, building a phrase, playing a romantic melody and respecting the audience. His gracious approach in lending the stage to his musicians and allowing us all to find ourselves was enormous. In short, he was all about love all the time. It came through loud-and- clear in his music and how he treated his musicians and fans
People who came to a Maynard concert for the first time would often wonder at the practice of band members shaking hands with him before and after each solo, or his habit of posturing the Indian namaste to each of his musicians. This was Maynards way of thanking us for the sharing of talent, and saluting all that is holy and divine in each of us. How priceless is THAT? I was so touched and warmed every single time that I shook his hand, gave him a big hug, or received his salute of namaste. I have simply never known a more genuine, happy, sincere, or talented human being. Maynard taught me to appreciate the magic in music, to value what is special and holy in people, and how to pass that on to others. For that lesson and for so many others I am forever grateful.
We have all benefited greatly by the life of this giant man, and while I mourn his passing, I thrill at his music and celebrate his loving legacy.
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