Band leader, trumpeter Maynard Ferguson dies

[tuvor]

Big band leader and jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson, who played with Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Kenton and recorded the Rocky theme song, has died at the age of 78.

The Canadian-born Ferguson died in a Ventura, Calif., hospital Wednesday after suffering kidney and liver failure brought on by an abdominal infection.

Ferguson's death comes just weeks after he and his Big Bop Nouveau Band had completed recording an album. They also played several sold out performances at New York's Blue Note Club in late July.

He had been preparing to kick off a fall tour, beginning in Tokyo, in September, and had been invited to play at the 80th birthday celebrations for Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej in January.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2006/08/24/ferguson-maynard-obit.html

[WritingIsMyReligion]

1. They're all fucking dying.

:grr:

[progmom]

5. tell me about it

I was a mess in the early 90s as all my heroes passed. First Sarah Vaughan, then Stan Getz, then Art Blakey, then Miles, then Diz, then Carmen McRae, then Ella.... :cry:

[WritingIsMyReligion]

8. Miles died 15 days after I was born.

It's a shame to be too young to remember when any of these cats were actually ALIVE.

:cry::cry:

[Ptah]

2. I'm gonna ask progmom to dedicate something

:hug:

[Beausoir]

3. Oh no! He was a fantastic musician and a wonderful showman.

I saw him several times in concert.

The guy was a screamer on that horn. He would literally turn purple. A shock of silver hair...great lighting and a balls to the wall band.

RIP to a great performer.

[qnr]

4. Awww. I loved Maynard n/t

[progmom]

6. He was a talented player and apparently a gifted educator

He will be missed.

[immoderate]

10. They covered one of his workshops in a Downbeat article.

He shared the knowledge.

One of his tricks was to play a trumpet suspended by strings without touching it with is hands.

--IMM

[Arkham House]

7. Oh man...I saw him many times...God, did he have chops...

...lousy way to greet the day. RIP, Maynard...there aren't many giants left...

[immoderate]

9. So long Maynard, RIP

Another great one bites the dust. I got to see him too. He was a phenomena. He OWNED double high C on the trumpet, and taught others how to do it. G'bye Maynard.

I'm sure progmom has it covered and I'll be around for the tribute tomomorrow.

--IMM

[ComerPerro]

11. saw him a few years back near Chicago.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

12. RIP, Maynard...

You were one of the greats...:loveya: