The Maynard Ferguson Collection Finds a Home August 19, 2008
The following is a press release announcing the future of the Maynard Ferguson Collection:
The Maynard Ferguson Music Library and Memorabilia Find a Home at UNT! By Kim Ferguson Exon
The entire music library of jazz legend and trumpeter Maynard Ferguson and the extensive collection of his lifetime of memorabilia, horns, wardrobe, awards, and much more have just found a brand new home. The Ferguson Family is delighted to announce that Maynard's decades of big band and small band charts will soon be housed at The University of North Texas, alongside the historically significant library of Stan Kenton, one of Maynard's dearest fellow bandleaders and the giant who introduced him to America in the early 1950's. At the same time, the entire MF Collection is en route to Bill Collins III of the Collins-Binkley Foundation, destined to be the focus of a newly unveiled Jazz Museum in Denton, Texas. Orchestrating this perfect score, together with the Ferguson's, was Steve Wiest, currently the interim director of the One O'Clock Lab Band at UNT. Through his understated perseverance and vision, Wiest made this fantasy a reality. Steve's first hand knowledge of this library unfolded in the 1980's when, as lead trombone and composer for Maynard for many years, he had the joy and privilege to perform many of these charts with one of the hottest bands on the planet, and to get to know the man himself. Wiest had an emotional moment, when, upon inspecting the collection, found his own original notes and compositions still in the music book in storage since shortly after he had left the band in the 80's. He considers himself blessed for the experience, as do so many who passed through the jazz wing of UNT.
For many years, whenever Maynard needed a new band member, the first call would go to Neil Slater, the director of Jazz at UNT for 3 decades, who only recently retired. North Texas was one of Maynard's favorite schools, always delivering some of the best musicians and resulting in a long list of MF Band alumnus. The Ferguson Family is thrilled to see Maynard's library being launched for a second career where others will have the opportunity to study, experience, and perform the charts that were the identity of Maynard Ferguson, and continue the legacy of a man who brought tremendous joy to the world with his infectious power and passion for life.
Former MF Trumpeter Carl Fischer Performing With "Organic Groove Ensemble" August 19, 2008
Carl Fischer, a long time trumpeter with Maynard's Big Bop Nouveau Band and a current trumpeter with Billy Joel, has some new dates coming up with his band, the "Organic Groove Ensemble" (former MF pianist Ron Oswanski is also a member of this group). The group is performing at Mirelle's in Westbury, NY on August 27. A recent date at Mirelle's was documented in a rave review that can be read at AllAboutJazz.com in which the author states, "The jazz spirits that haunt this historic venue were probably smiling, swinging and reaching for a cool one last night as phenom jazz trumpeter Carl Fischer and his terrific group, Organic Groove Ensemble generated a veritable jazz-funk firestorm."
Press Release from the Organic Groove Ensemble:
World-Renowned Billy Joel Trumpeter Carl Fischer Performing With “Organic Groove Ensemble”
August 18, 2008 – Locust Valley, NY - As the song goes, the “joint will be jumpin’” on Wednesday, August 27 at Mirelle’s in Westbury as Internationally-acclaimed jazz and scream trumpeter Carl Fischer will lead his own exciting group, “Organic Groove Ensemble” in a single-show appearance. Fischer and his group, which plays a high energy array of jazz, funk and rock-oriented selections, have recently received rave reviews from critics, media and fans.
“I’m excited about the enthusiastic reaction we’ve received from music fans in the Metropolitan area,” Fischer stated in a recent interview. “Organic Groove Ensemble,” its musicians and repertoire reach across a very broad range of audience – I’d guess it’s due to the fierce drive and inventiveness that the band displays,” he added.
Fischer’s comments are incredibly modest, given the fact that he is a current stalwart in the Billy Joel Band and a former featured jazz trumpeter for the great Maynard Ferguson. “Organic Groove Ensemble” includes some of the country’s finest musicians who themselves have performed with Billy Joel, Tower of Power, Maynard Ferguson, Celine Dion, and other stars. All have recently received high acclaim from the media. A recent review in All About Jazz stated: “Carl Fischer and “Organic Groove Ensemble” will leave you breathless as they explore new jazz-funk improvisational vistas.”
In addition to leading “Organic Groove Ensemble” Fischer, a Baldwin/Freeport native, now tours worldwide with Hall of Fame star Billy Joel, who hand-picked Fischer as his trumpeter. The venue for this performance, Mirelle’s, was once decades ago a world-famous jazz club called “The Cork ‘n’ Bib,” where acts such as Maynard Ferguson, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and others regularly performed.
“It’s really a treat to perform here on Long Island where my roots are,” Fischer said. “And, to perform with my own group in a venue where some of the greats performed
is really an honor,” added Fischer.
Carl Fischer and “Organic Groove Ensemble” will perform live on Wednesday, August 27 at 9 PM at Mirelle's, located at 170 Post Ave. in Westbury, NY. For reservations and further information, please call Mirelle’s at 516-338-4933 or visit http://www.mirelles.com.
Carl Fischer, http://www.fischmusic.com is the leader of “Organic Groove Ensemble.” He is a Yamaha Trumpet Artist who has performed and recorded internationally with Billy Joel, Maynard Ferguson’s “Big Bop Nouveau,” Wynton Marsalis’s Lincoln Center Orchestra, Blood, Sweat and Tears, on Broadway and with many others. He is currently performing and touring with Billy Joel. Fischer is also a clinician, an educator and the author of the acclaimed trumpet method, “Chop Maintenance.”
Tennessee Radio Station to Play 48-Hour Maynard Marathon August 19, 2008
Kingsport-based WCSK-FM is planning to host their 2nd Annual Maynard Ferguson marathon this weekend! If you don't live in the area, you can listen online.
From WCSK:
WCSK-FM 90.3 to host 2nd Annual Maynard Ferguson Marathon And a 24 hour Stan Kenton Marathon
As we did last year, WCSK-FM 90.3, the Voice of Kingsport (TN) City Schools will host our 2nd annual Maynard Ferguson marathon, celebrating the life and music of the great jazz trumpeter. This year, because August 23rd falls on a Saturday, station manager Jeff Hall has agreed to do 48 hours of non-stop programming, which will include albums from Stan Kenton, Charlie Barnet, Buddy Bregman, Vido Musso, Wayne Bergeron and Tito Puente, all of which feature Maynard, as well as tribute tracks from Arturo Sandoval and Andrea Tofinelli, and the new Eric Miyashiro tribute album “Pleaides.”
For those of you who live outside WCSK’s Upper East Tennessee/Southwest Virginia broadcast area (which will be most of you!), tune in via the internet to hear the “Screamin’ Stream):
Click on the “Listen Live” button at the top left, and enjoy!
The following Saturday, August 30, WCSK will feature 24 hours of Stan Kenton. Maynard features prominently in much of Kenton’s work from the early 1950’s which will be played, but there is a significant amount of later Kenton work that will be included as well.
The playlist for both of these shows is attached, or may be downloaded directly from the WCSK website at the link given above.
Please contact Station Manager Jeff Hall at jhall@k12k.com with comments, suggestions for future MF play lists, or just to say thanks for sponsoring 48 hours of Maynard!
Maynard Ferguson Store Now Offering More CDs August 18, 2008
The Maynard Ferguson Store has expanded its CD offering. In addition to the CDs and DVDs that have always been available in the store, Maynard fans will now find the entire MF Horn series (including a discounted MF Horn set), New Vintage, The Ballad Style of Maynard Ferguson, and the new Chase re-issue that includes all 3 Chase LPs on a 2 CD set.
Verve is Reissuing "Maynard Ferguson Octet" Album July 7, 2008
On July 29, Verve is reissuing a remaster of Maynard's 1955 Emarcy album, "Maynard Ferguson Octet". Based on the cover image that Amazon is displaying, they are using the original album artwork.
"As for highlights: pick a track, any track. The charts, as noted, are admirable, the band likewise, while Miyashiro's trumpet work is, in a word, breathtaking. It's albums such as this that make reviewing a pleasure, as there's absolutely nothing one can write that is less than complimentary. A strong candidate for anyone's annual Top 10 list. "
Chicago-Based Brian Patti Orchestra to Pay Tribute to Maynard July 7, 2008
On August 1st, the Brian Patti Orchestra will be performing a show celebrating the music of both Maynard Ferguson and Buddy Rich. The show is in Hodges Park in Park Ridge, Illinois, and is free to the public. More information can be found in the Park Ridge News.
Alumni Updates July 7, 2008
Trombone player and Grammy nominated composer/arranger Steve Wiest has been appointed the Interim Director of the 1:00 Lab Band at the University of North Texas following Neil Slater's retirement.
Of the appointment, Wiest says, "It will be for one year and during that year we will sort out how things will continue. Needless to say, I am thrilled! The 1:00 Band is simply one of the best big bands in the world, a professional-level-killin'-swingin-sight-readin' MACHINE! So I am gearing up for one of the happiest years of my professional career." Tim Ries (saxophone) is quoted in a recent article about Slater's retirement.
West Point Jazz Band Will Pay Tribute to Maynard June 18, 2008
The United States Military Academy jazz band (The Jazz Knights) will pay tribute to Maynard on June 29th with a concert titled "The Maynard Ferguson Legacy". This concert is a part of their Music Under the Stars series and
is open to the public. The concert is in West Point, New York. Details can be found on the West Point web site.
Trumpeter Eric Miyashiro Releases "Pleiades: A Tribute to Maynard Ferguson" CD May 30, 2008
Tokyo-based trumpeter Eric Miyashiro has recorded
a truly remarkable Maynard Ferguson tribute. The 10
tracks on this album are comprised of one original,
five classic Maynard tunes, and four charts that Maynard
played on the road but never ended up on an album.
The never-before recorded tracks include a Nick Lane
composition, "River Whale", a Denis DiBlasio
arrangement, "O Que Sera", a Chip McNeill
composition, "Close the Deal", and the famous
Jay Chattaway arrangement of the "Tommy Medley".
With beautiful packaging, comprehensive liner notes,
and testimonials from Bobby Shew and Maynard's daughter
Wilder Ferguson Jacob, this is the most impressive
Maynard Tribute I've ever heard. Eric manages to capture
Maynard's joyful spirit without ever simply imitating
Maynard's style. Available now in the Maynard
Ferguson Store.
"Maynard Ferguson: The
Lost Tapes - Volume Two" Now Available for Pre-Order
from Sleepy Night Records May 23, 2008
Sleepy Night Records, the company that brought us
the World of MF DVD and the first Lost Tapes CD, is
now taking pre-orders for "The Lost Tapes, Volume
Two" CD, releasing June 9, 2008. Until midnight
of June 9 (UK time), a special rate of $19.99 plus
shipping will be offered. The cover art is revealed
below.
Second Video of 80th Birthday
Tribute Concert Rehearsal May 23, 2008
Bob Gould has but together another great video of
the rehearsal from the 80th Birthday concert in May
2008.
Short Video of 80th Birthday
Tribute Concert Rehearsal May 9, 2008
Maynard fan Bob Gould shot some great video and still
photos of the Maynard Ferguson Alumni Band's 80th
Birthday Tribute Concert rehearsal on Saturday, May
3. He edited together some of the video and still
shots to make this compilation.
University of Illinois Summer
Jazz Festival to Feature Maynard Ferguson Music May 8, 2008
The University of Illinois Summer Jazz Festival (located
on the University of Illinois campus in Urbana, IL)
will feature Maynard Ferguson music on two consecutive
nights. They're gathering an impressive lineup of
MF alumni including Denis DiBlasio, Walter White,
Jim Rupp, Tom Garling, Chip Stephens, and Chip McNeill.
An evening of Big Bop Nouveau music is planned, along
with an evening of MF hits. More details can be found
on the concerts page.
Ferguson Family Selling the
"Maynard Ferguson Collection" May 7, 2008
The Ferguson family is looking for a buyer interested
in purchasing the Ferguson Collection. This includes
horns, mouthpieces, MF's music library, clothing,
books, awards, and more. You can view this incredible
collection at themaynardfergusoncollection.com.
WCSK Radio Planning 10-Hour
MF Marathon April 25, 2008
WCSK, based in Kingsport, TN is celebrating what
would've been Maynard's 80th Birthday (May 4) by giving
him a 10-hour tribute on the following day, May 5.
If you live in the area, you can tune in, or anyone
in the world can listen online. Their message:
90.3 FM WCSK Radio in Kingsport, TN will recognize
Maynard Ferguson’s 80th birthday with a “Boss’
Day 10-hour tribute”. This Maynard Ferguson special
will take place Monday, May 5th, beginning at 5:00am
(EDT) and will continue through 3:00pm. Special thanks
to Pete Lodal for supplying his extensive Maynard
Ferguson collection. WCSK RADIO is owned and operated
by the Kingsport, TN City School system and can be
heard on 90.3 FM throughout the Kingsport, TN area.
For those outside the listening area, you can listen
online: http://kcs.k12k.com/index.pl?id=4159&isa=Category&op=show
For those of you who tried to tune into WCSK last
August during our 24 hour Maynard Marathon but could
not, we have upgraded our software, and can now be
heard though most corporate firewalls. Try us out
again. If you have any questions contact Jeff Hall,
WCSK station manager, at 423-378-2111, or e-mail to
jhall@k12k.com.
It’s the Boss’s day! Let's celebrate!
Alumni Updates April 25, 2008
Jeff Lashway, former MF pianist (and one of MF's
favorites) recently wrote: New Album...errr....I mean CD!
Yeah, I know...I'm hopelessly out of date. I STILL
think "album" sounds cooler than "CD".
Anyway....we're in the later stages of doing a recording
that's been in the planning stages since the summer
of 06. In January of '07 I did some things at Stark
Lake Recording in Orlando, Florida. The people involved
in that session included Richard Drexler on bass,
John Jenkins, drums, MF alum Jeff Rupert, tenor, and
John Allred on trombone. (is Allred the finest player
today? I sure couldn't argue the point.) Jeff Rupert
sounds just marvelous on "Quintessence"
and the whole quartet cooks on "One By One".
John and I did several piano/bone duos that will make
it onto the album. There will also be a couple of
solo piano things.
Skip to late March of this year and we finally did
the second session...this time at Manfred Knoops GREAT
studio in Jersey....it's really one of the HOT studios
for jazz recording now. He has a WONDERFUL Hamburg
Steinway that just SINGS...a great instrument! For
this session I wrote a couple of tunes as well as
did some arrangements for 3 horns and rhythm. Pulling
from the awesome NYC pool of players, the session
features Frank Basile on Bari (Vanguard Band...Michael
Buble), John Allred once again...and Jim Rotondi (One
for All, Eric Alexander) on trumpet...what a great
player! The rhythm session includes Todd Coolman on
bass (Marion McPartland, James Moody) and, of course,
the truly astonishing Vinnie Colaiuta (virtually EVERYONE)
on drums. I played with Vinnie years ago and it was
just a total BLAST to have this musical (and otherwise)
reunion. It's no wonder he's commonly considered the
finest drummer today. His fans will LOVE this album....they
will hear him in settings he seldom gets to play in.
Highlights of this session include my Afro Cuban arrangement
of Sonny Rollin's "Airegin" and a great
original by Producer Scott Elias called "SweetBop".
Finally, next week we conclude recording in Nashville
with singer Jimmy Hall. Jimmy has been the MD for
Hank Williams for some time now and was the voice
of Wet Willie. He has a wonderful "Blue Eyed
Soul" kind of thing going on that will be great
on the things we have planned. We have a swinging
arrangement of "Down Here on the Ground"
for him......as well as a kind of suite of music having
to do with New Orleans (where I lived for 5 years
and still consider my second home).
Then it's back to Orlando for mixing/mastering, etc.
It's been a very exciting project and I am anxious
to hear the finished product. I think it's going to
be good...real good (and I'm not usually one to say
that!).
I'll update progress as we go along. The albu....err......CD....should
be out later this summer!
Thanks for reading....talk to y'all later!
Jeff
Alumni Updates April 10, 2008
Reggie Watkins, Denis Diblasio, Jeff Lashway,
Dave Throckmorton, Matt Parker Several former Maynard band members will be playing
in Philadelphia on Thursday, April 24. Click the image
below for details.
MF 80th Birthday Tribute Concert
Just Around the Corner April 9, 2008
We're less than a month away from the Maynard Ferguson
80th Birthday Tribute Concert! May 4, 2008, would've
been Maynard's 80th birthday, and Steve Schankman
(Maynard's former manager) and Ed Sargent (Maynard's
former tour manager) are working hard to produce an
exciting concert that will feature 19 of Maynard's
alumni. This concert is intended to be a celebration
of Maynard's music, and of the joyful way that he
lived his life.
Performer's include:
Eric Miyashiro (trumpet, from Tokyo)
Walter White (trumpet, from New York)
Frank Greene (trumpet)
Jon Owens (trumpet)
Scott Engelbright (trumpet)
Thomas Marriott (trumpet)
Reggie Watkins (trombone)
Joe Barati (trombone)
Keith Oshiro (trombone)
Steve Wiest (trombone - and recent Grammy nominee!)
Chip McNeill (sax)
Denis DiBlasio (sax)
Matt Wallace (sax)
Mike Dubaniewicz (sax)
Tim Ries (sax)
Chip Stephens (piano)
Brian Stahurski (bass)
Dave Throckmorton (drums)
The show will take place in the beautiful Touhill
Performing Arts Center in St. Louis, Missouri (the
same location where the Maynard Ferguson Tribute Concert
DVD was filmed), and could be our last chance to celebrate
Maynard on this kind of scale. Buy
your tickets now!
Alumni Updates March 13, 2008
Steve Wiest, Keith Fiala Both Steve Wiest (trombone) and Keith Fiala (trumpet)
will be performing as part of the Temple College Jazz
Festival later this month in Temple, Texas. Wiest
will be performing with the Temple College Jazz Ensemble
on Friday, March 28. Fiala will be playing lead with
the Temple Jazz Orchestra, on Saturday, March 29,
featuring special guest Gordon Goodwin. Details
here.
Alumni Updates March 11, 2008
Steve Wiest, Stockton Helbing, Brian Mulholland
and Ken Edwards Wiest (trombone), Helbing (drums), Mulholland
(bass), and Edwards (trumpet), all Maynard alumni,
will be performing at the Waseca Jazz Festival in
Waseca, MN, this Saturday (March 15). Also, they will
be putting on a clinic on Saturday that is free and
open to the public. Details
are available here.
Alumni Updates March 9, 2008
Gregg Bissonette Bissonette (who played drums with Maynard in the
1980s) will be performing at West Michigan's 10th
annual Free Fun with Drums Concert/Clinic in Muskegon,
Michigan, on March 14. Details can be found at the
Grand
Haven Tribune's web site.
Denis DiBlasio Denis DiBlasio (who played sax with Maynard in
the 1980s and beyond) will be performing at the Paramount
Theatre in St. Cloud, Minnesota as part of their Hepcat
Junction show on March 13. Details can be found at
the Paramount
Theatre's web site.
Reggie Watkins Reggie Watkins (who played trombone with Maynard
in some of the final incarnations of Big Bop Nouveau,
and also acted as Maynard's musical director) has
been working with Pittsburgh's Boogie Hustlers band.
Details can be found at the Showcase
web site.
Ferguson 80th birthday celebration
concert May 4, 2008 March 7, 2008
From Contemporary Productions:
On Sunday, May 4, we will celebrate what would have
been Maynard Ferguson's 80th birthday (born on May
4, 1928).
Steve Schankman, producer and personal manager of
Maynard Ferguson, along with Ed Sargent, Maynard's
Tour Manager, will produce an exciting concert featuring
19 of Maynard's alumni. Schankman and Sargent also
produced the tribute concert after Maynard's passing
on August 23, 2006.
The show will open with a special video being created
just for this event, followed by the alumni orchestra
performing songs of the boss's favorites including
Take the A Train, Stella by Starlight, St. Thomas
and the hits including the theme from Rocky (Gonna
Fly Now) and Birdland.
A feature of the second half of the show will open
with the Big Bop Nouveau Band, Maynard's last group,
performing selections from The One and Only, Maynard's
lasting recording.
Featured soloists on trumpet will include, from Tokyo,
Japan, Eric Miyashiro and Walter White from New York
City. Also in the group line up will be Reggie Watkins
on trombone, Chip McNeill and Denis DiBlasio on saxes,
Grammy nominee Steve Wiest on trombone, Tim Ries from
the Rolling Stones on sax and a rhythm section comprised
of Chip Stephens on piano, Brian Stahurski on bass
and Dave Throckmorton on drums.
Matt Keller, host of the MaynardFerguson.com website
will share the MC duties for the program.
This will be a can't miss concert for anyone who's
life was touched by Jazz legend Maynard Ferguson.
StarsTeachMusic, in association with Contemporary
Productions, has assembled 5 online videos by the
great trumpeter Maynard Ferguson in one attractively
priced video package that includes Maynard's insights
on Improvisation, Style, Performance Philosophy, Vibrato,
Pressure, Energy and Stamina. Also included is Maynard's
recollections on his encounters with Miles Davis.
Entertaining, informative and produced in a conversational
style, these videos provide a rare look in to one
of the great innovators of the trumpet.
February's Featured Maynard
Ferguson Store Item: New Vintage Stickers February 10, 2008
This month's featured Maynard Ferguson Store item
is the promotional
"New Vintage" sticker seen below. These
are not reproductions, but are originals from the
1970s that were discovered in Maynard's home office
after his passing. Some may show slight signs of age,
but are still in good condition and make a great Maynard
Ferguson collectable. More details can be found in
the Maynard
Ferguson Store.
