Maynard Ferguson - Coconut Champagne

Walter Maynard Ferguson, best know for his extreme high register control on trumpet, was a Canadian jazz trumpet player and bandleader. Born in Verdun, Quebec (now part of Montreal) Maynard by the age of four was playing piano and violin but at 9 years of age he switched to cornet. At age thirteen, Maynard first soloed as a child prodigy with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Orchestra and was heard frequently on the CBC, notably featured on a "Serenade for Trumpet in Jazz" written for him by Morris Davis. Maynard won a scholarship to the French Conservatory of Music where he studied from 1943 through 1948 with Bernard Baker. Maynard dropped out of Montreal High School at age 15 to more actively pursue a music career, performing in dance bands led by Stan Wood, Roland David, and Johnny Holmes. During this period, Maynard came to the attention of numerous American bandleaders and began receiving offers to come to the United States. Maynard moved to the United States in 1949 and initially played with the bands of Boyd Raeburn, Jimmy Dorsey, and Charlie Barnet. The Barnet band was notable for a trumpet section that also included Doc Severinsen, Ray Wetzel, Johnny Howell, and Rolf Erickson. When Barnet temporarily retired in 1949 and disbanded his orchestra, Maynard was free to accept an offer to join Stan Kenton's newly formed Innovations Orchestra, a 40-piece jazz concert orchestra with strings. While the Innovations Orchestra was not commercially successful, it made a number of remarkable recordings, including "Maynard Ferguson," one of a series of pieces named after featured soloists. When Kenton returned to a more practical 19-piece jazz band, Maynard continued with him. So popular was Maynard with Kenton that for three years running, 1950, 1951, and 1952, he won the Down Beat Readers' Poll as best trumpeter. In 1953, Maynard left Kenton to become a first-call session player for Paramount Pictures. Ferguson appeared on 46 soundtracks including The Ten Commandments. Ferguson still recorded jazz during this period, but his Paramount contract prevented him from playing jazz clubs. While he enjoyed the regular paycheck, Ferguson was very unhappy with the lack of live performance opportunities and left Paramount in 1956. In 1956, Maynard was tapped to lead the Birdland Dream Band, a 14-piece big band formed by Morris Levy as an "all-star" lineup to play at Levy's Birdland jazz club in New York City. While the name "Birdland Dream Band" was short-lived and is represented by only two albums, this band became the core of Maynard's performing band for the next nine years. Following the path taken by many jazz artists in the 1960s, Ferguson left the United States. Feeling that he needed a period of spiritual exploration. Maynard formed a new band and it made its North American debut in 1971. Maynard latched on to the burgeoning jazz education movement by recruiting talented musicians from colleges with jazz programs and targeting young audiences with performances and master classes in high schools. This practical and strategic move helped him develop a strong following that would sustain him for the remainder of his career. In 1988, Maynard formed the group Big Bop Nouveau, a nine-piece band featuring three trumpets, one trombone, two reeds and a three-piece rhythm section. The band's repertoire included original jazz compositions and modern arrangements of jazz standards, with occasional pieces from his '70s book and the Birdland Dream Band; this format proved to be successful with audiences and critics. In 1992, he was inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame. Just days after completing a weeklong run at New York's Blue Note and recording a studio album in New Jersey, Maynard developed an abdominal infection that resulted in kidney and liver failure. Ferguson died on the evening of August 23, 2006 at the Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, California.

[@Powkeemawnz]

I played this my freshman year in high school. Brings back memories. Our first trumpet was phenomenal.

[@tekkno2024]

Why is that ne right now...jazz band. 1st trumpet is 1st chair state

[@Plombo_5]

I also played this in high school jazz band. So much fun! This was in 1997!

[@Darnedkev]

@@tekkno2024I played first trumpet but the composition we got was written down from the original, so it never went past high A. Still a very fun piece

[@zxqj26]

I play bari, and met Denis DiBlasio when I was in college. Nicest guy. I played a bari sax duet with him on "My Secret Love," I told him my dream was a chance to play that bari solo in Coconut Champagne. Twenty years later - I'm still waiting to fulfill that dream.

[@nobodycares6506]

zxqj26 did you do it yet

[@michaelcrow1188]

yea man we are all waiting lets hear it

[@parkere.6881]

have you played the solo yet :V

[@zxqj26]

@@parkere.6881 Not in front of an audience.

[@parkere.6881]

@@zxqj26 im sorry man. some day! your chance is out there!!!!!!

[@Danny-sy7bg]

This is such a good song to mow your lawn too

[@johnspeck]

Memories of high school jazz band. One of the first songs I had to learn. Love to Maynard and the band.

[@skidlett964]

It reminds me of Delfino Plaza.

[@bigrynoisbot3902]

i loved that track on wii when i had it

[@dajaewright4931]

+Skidlett Brings back so many memories on the Nintendo GameCube XD

[@SqueakerGamingHD]

+Skidlett Yes.

[@klakeron4209]

Mr Buttinski 😊😊😊😊😑😞😞😟😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😠😟😒😟😟😟😒😟😟😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😒😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😜😝😝😝😜😜😜😜😜😜😜😜😜😜😜😝😜😜😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😜😜😜😚😚😚😚😚😚😚😚😚😚😚😚😚🤗🤗🤗😎😎😎🤗🤗😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝🤓🤓🤓😝😝😝😝🤗😞😎🤗🤗😵😰😕😟😟😎😎🤗😛😍😗😗🤑🤑🤑🤑

[@klakeron4209]

W

[@klakeron4209]

This is the first time Maynard gave the Sax a chance.........

[@chicnnuggies6969]

That's cause Denis DiBlasio wrote it haha

[@roblawrence673]

Listen to Live at Jimmy's album from 1973. Bruce Johnstone ripped the bari sax a new one in Got the Spirit. Also Stay loose with Bruce from same album. The Lady's in love from Colour him wild later rereleased as Dues.I have been a Maynard fan since 81 and he always in my opinion tried to showcase new talent.

[@TheRobloxianOfTheWorld]

chameleon? gospel john?

[@noahrussell9590]

........... And the last time

[@raymondfallon7429]

You obviously hadn't listened to much Maynard....

[@dev7368]

this reminds me of mario kart mixed with under the sea

[@coledonnelly152]

pretty much any Maynard Ferguson song sounds like a mario kart soundtrack

[@oscarwentzel2244]

AHHHHH I WAS JUST THINKING THIS

[@leofont6026]

TRUEEE

[@bambaboyzstudio]

Im crying lol

[@profesionalloser9018]

So coconut mall?

[@jamesestubbs5817]

Was just making a blog entry reminiscing about music and giving my sax to my niece. 1985-86 I'd been to see Maynard live twice (Maybe 3x) . I was at the concert in 83 where the Live from San Francisco album was recorded! I recalled in my senior year of H.S. 1986, no one else could touch this piece. I couldn't sight read for crap, but I had a steel embouchure, and massive wind. Having heard it many times I CRUSHED the barrie sax solo! Nearly 30 years later when the subject of music comes up, my older brother still talks about me killing it.

[@hunter2532]

that bari solo....

[@nandreshiram2269]

Two Words: COCONUT MALL

[@thecannonball1000]

I played bari sax for 6 years, and LOVED it; my fave sax. So deep, so soulful, as illustrated in this song! So happy my jazz band teacher in high school used this as a regular rotation of songs. So happy I soloed the heck out of it in numerous competitions! Brings back memories of great times, nearly 20 years ago. Wow, I'm old, LOL, but I can still "airplay" pretending I'm holding a bari like it was yesterday!

[@Bearj64]

PLAYING BARI SAX ON THIS IS SO FAUN

[@sethkunder3169]

+Jonathan Bear couldn't agree with you more....

[@Porygonseizure89]

Playing lead trombone was such a treat!

[@MCBardOfDestiny]

Jonathan Bear I think this song is a joy to anyone involved!

[@QueenBirdGirl]

agreed

[@RainbowPhantomGaming]

Jonathan Bear This will be my first solo I'm so hyped

[@PatrickDAllen1]

Gregg Bissonette is a beast on the drums. Most people know him from his days playing with various rock and pop acts, but if you never thought he had jazz chops, just listen to the entire "Live From San Francisco" album. This guy is so versatile! When you can play like him, you know you've achieved a new level.

[@soulseakerterribad3003]

Playing lead trumpet on this song was so much fun. All region jazz was a blast because of this song.

[@dyllpickleproduces9588]

Any tips for getting your range so high?

[@soulseakerterribad3003]

@@dyllpickleproduces9588 relax, blow fast and not hard

[@kyppyn]

I played the solo in Coconut champane my senior year in highschool marching band (1987) and had a workshop with their sax player. He was awesome. He played the bari sax without a neckstrap. Amazing....

[@Priyo866]

Anyone else think of Tropico when listening to this?

[@paratus04]

Play 4th Trumpet was Awesome!

[@prettyokiguess8369]

Right!?

[@loganwyatt4822]

Loved it!!!!

[@jdmorgan23]

I have also had the pleasure of meeting him. He is not only a fabulous musician and teacher, but a really nice and down-to-earth guy!

[@anthonypittman9791]

this song birdland and fire shaker are my favorite songs in the album.

[@alonelyengineer1250]

Watching in 2018! Still a great song beloved by many!

[@genecirson]

Definitely one of the finest jazz trumpet player of all time!!

[@ottoflechtner3958]

Bari sax (the best part) starts at 1:23

[@nickmonts]

Ted Davies ya I did too like 20 years ago in high school makes me want to get back in to it

[@TheRobloxianOfTheWorld]

Are you kidding me? The best part starts at 0:00 and ends at 5:07 if you ask me

[@WillToWinvlog]

So clean!

[@ProbablyDerek]

I love the trumpet solo in this song!

[@anwyllonmusic]

Why am I picturing a cruise ship, island vibes, and Can Can dancers.

[@nicholassarmiento7508]

bari sax solo will never get old

[@thehailrip5673]

So excited to play drums to this in high school🥁🥁🥁

[@colinkane2634]

This is the base for our next marching show, super pumped

[@SlickPick21]

Our jazz band is playing this at school-- it's freakin amazing. :D

[@blindeyedog01]

Played drums on this song in college: loved reading the chart. ❤❤❤

[@charliemadura1541]

playing the piano part on vibes for this makes it one of my favorite songs

[@lapstats]

this song is so...happy!

[@fernandoperdomomusic]

a way more positive Ferguson than the Ferguson on the news..

[@kitayuan9842]

I'm three years late to the party on this one

[@stultusdoesstuff8017]

Kitayuan same

[@thatoneshepherd]

a friend recommended this to me and holy cow i am going to thank them this is beautiful!!!

[@smdragons]

i love this song he is so amazing!

[@kalrit]

I'm playing the bari sax part in my high school jazz band this year. ima go crazy. this song is amazing.

[@M2Nova]

So my Jazz band is playing this and I called the Trumpet Solo... Yep this is going to be fun

[@sachikocchi]

I heard a local high school band play this, and I LOOOVE the bari sax solo!

[@Drumroll418]

Getting to play this one on drums after meeting the drummer who played in this recording, Gregg Bissonette, was the highlight of my time as a percussionist. Gregg is a maniac on the set, people don't give him enough credit. Hearing him play live was something else. I could only hope to be half as good as he is.

[@jonnyblco]

the one song i didnt want to be 1st trombone for....

[@blaster18974]

One of my favorite pieces we played :)

[@funnyman828able]

I go to Cherry Hill West and we're trying to play this. I'm a sophomore and i get to play the lead solo. I'm so excited cause i can play the double g as well as well as the little thing he does up and down. I can't wait to play it again.

[@MarvelousMaxter]

It's a single g not a double g

[@funnyman828able]

MarvelousMaxter no it's a double g.

[@MarvelousMaxter]

+Miles Smith actually mental

[@funnyman828able]

MarvelousMaxter what does that mean?

[@MarvelousMaxter]

nvm get off youtube kid

[@Duderonittv]

I played bass for this song in my HS Jazz Band. Loved it.

[@gabrielwilson162]

Man I remember playing the percussion part to this in high school. Sadly not the drum part but it’s alright as I still had a lot of fun

[@swickzy9250]

I Played this in high school big band. I was a trombone section so I didn’t have a cool part, but hearing the craziness in the trumpets behind you in something else.

[@trukgirl]

OM friggen gawsh.... I LOVE this song! I'm gonna ask my band leader if we can play this! BARI ROCKS!!!!! That solo is amazing!!!

[@wesman2232]

Dude, Im playing bass for this song in my high school's jazz band. ITS SO AWESOME :D

[@Aeileo]

yeah, I met him when I played in all city in philly. Good guy

[@NicholasDiSalvio]

This tune is written by Denny. Incredible musician.

[@squeezemyparticiple]

82,000 views :) Deserves MORE!

[@bobveinne2439]

Ta da!

[@Dimmy333]

Playing this with my high school band tonight, wish me luck lol

[@DPCerberusBlaze]

I tried all year to get my old band director to use this song. Loved it ever since I heard the Jazz Ensemble play it when I was a freshman. I even figured out that high trumpet part and played it for an entire study hall at his office. It tops out at a f# above high C before the uber maynard stuff, which I can't do so I left it at the f#. Here's to waiting for alumni night. btw, not for competition unless you can absolutely kill it. You need an amazing lead trumpet to pull it off. Bari too.

[@Dodo4104]

wow i wish i could do that..... Bari is so awasome now...

[@gazellepop]

Fun fun fun!

[@dxer12]

nice tune. played this back in 2005, I also like Crusin for a bluesin

[@averysexypotato630]

My brother is in 12th grade and he is baritone... My god that's a good and long solo. And his friend on the trumpet has to play that high... It's so funny but pretty impressive when his face turns red XD

[@Emanuel-sf4qy]

aVerySexyPotato it's not even that high

[@Bread-yx2eg]

Emanuel Yes, it is

[@GidsyWidsy]

awesome to play in big band :)

[@DOOD4108]

This drummer's got me jaw dropped

[@jayjones6339]

Ok ok ok, sooo good! But, I just saw Gregg Bissonette oerform this muyyyy challenging tune with the 2024 Warren Consolidated All-Star Jazz Band, and they all delivered! Si much magical fun!!!!!!! OMFG

[@mrflopper23]

Denis Diblasio's solo is so tight that... I can't even explain it

[@timhonks112]

I just played with him! he came to our high school, sooooooooo godly

[@FrenchGeeksInc]

That ending is gonna kill me on trumpet....dear graciousness....

[@2ooFilpinoy]

i remeber playing this song, i played lead solo trumpet. i hit the 4 octave high G once. crazy solo. i love song

[@qdj252]

4 octave g could have so many different interpretations

[@andreascasanova7324]

anyone think of island delfino when listening to this

[@Obungle]

I think of the water park in mk8

[@kobeconomon3528]

I love you

[@hannawildin3133]

Me the sophomore Bari Sax player in my schools jazz band looking at this song that for some reason my director thought I could pull off😬

[@q12aw50]

Just be better

[@finnnosbaum789]

Playing 4th trumpet on this one. I't's so awesome!

[@djlinnski]

Happy Cinco de mayo, Margaritas are on me!!!

[@ats_the_best7755]

gotta love the bass part in the beginning

[@caden.bartlett]

finally starting to get the drum part down!

[@Ryan420Hemp]

+Caden Bartlett The hi hat - snare ghost note pattern at the first part of the sax solo kicks ass...

[@ryanlambert4262]

watch?v=eF_ttulF9aA 5:40 Mostly just the whole song - but this part in particular (minus the bass solo)

[@AustralianSpy]

dennis deblasio is so fukn perf

[@thEreDfactoR]

I'm rockin' out that bari sax part in Jazz band. It's so bad@ss!

[@studbagl]

I just realized this song was in rhythm changes. I didn't even think of it at all.

[@sushimanjr]

I like how the drummer plays paradidles bewteen the cymbals and snare through most of the bari solo, sounds cool.

[@dannynicholas2505]

i'm old enough that my HS MF songs were Chameleon and MacArthur Park. but My first trump freshman through junior year actually had connections to Maynard so i've been a fan for over 40 years. this is the bomb sax solo.

[@dannynicholas2505]

correction Junior High

[@ianross8083]

Crap, we have to play this in my jazz band.........yikes, we're definetly boned

[@classucc96]

Try the bari saxophone part. Its fun yet it's not fun at the same time

[@ianross8083]

Trust me, i know. I got the Bari part. Damn those high F's!

[@classucc96]

Really low As

[@ianross8083]

Yeah, that too.

[@CarlosGarcia-iu6ri]

What are you guys freaking complaining about. I respect the fact that you probably aren't better than me I get it but seriously I probably practice only like 30 minutes a week and probably not even that and I have the solo perfect and I'm still in 8th grade come on guys

[@Kaufmancab51]

man i play bari sax, and i was following along with the written solo. My tongue might not be able to keep up with those crazy eight notes!

[@eunjeonglee7782]

That trumpet sounds like dying dolphin 😵😵 i never can play that high

[@Tunkert]

it concerns me that you know what a dying dolphin sounds like

[@Mike-mt4ln]

Two words. Jet tone

[@Funkopartner]

Two words. Maynard Ferguson.

[@totalcontrol12]

guess what we just played this song in our concert (middle school band) and we did kill it :D

[@masterslayersp]

i really want to play this so bad, just because i play bari sax and the part is insane

[@DarkHelmet14]

Yeah. I play trumpet. have for 6 years,I'm 2nd trumpet in my high school jazz band. Maynard scares the crap out of me.

[@Kissfan96dr]

in High school this was considered the Holy Grail of stage band.

[@alexanderhamilton5059]

I get to play the trumpet solo on trombone >:D

[@dev7368]

Alexander Hamilton playing that on violin is cool too

[@hankpharris2593]

LIT

[@harlando6805]

Have to play Maynard's solo next Sunday at a band festival. On top of that, Denis DiBlasio is the judge. Wish me luck.

[@_Ramen-Vac_]

I was an infant or toddler ? at one of his shows, probably in mama's arms. Slept thru the entire thing, horns blasting up the aisles and all.

[@SageRader2525]

I love that lip slur at 0:54

[@PenguMatthew]

Playing trumpet part on trombone is really fun

[@ethanhalligan9779]

especially in the same octave

[@edgykidalexx2434]

Trombone Matthew AMEN

[@browniesareg]

@jazzmeup62 i agree completely that's what my conductor focuses on the most

[@masterwarhammer1]

2 people had to much champagne and couldn't see so they accidentally hit the dislike button...

[@bopperpatch]

We're playing this in my jazz band

[@Ambaryerno]

True story: My HS jazz band played this at a jazz festival at SMSU in 1998, and Maynard was the guest who played at the conclusion of the festival. We thought it would have been awesome if his band played this song, but they didn't. It was still an awesome concert. Funny thing is our bari sax player played a transcription of DiBlasio's solo, and got criticized for not knowing his scales. LOL.

[@Aeileo]

@peteywhtstrw He came and sat down at my all city performance. Awesome guy and not a bad flute player

[@knightwilliam6864]

I'm playing the trumpet solo soon for my school jazz band. After 4 months ive finally gotten a double g consistent lmao- now i have 3 months to get that c

[@farmlandgangsta24]

Yeah I played lead trumpet/ the maynard solo in this song this year. Guy had quite a range.

[@JaromeNaggerson]

Playing 1 st for this is awesome even though I played bari for a bit

[@SpeedKnifer]

The High School I play at has 2 Jazz Bands. I happen to be in the lower Band. Our Top Band is playing this is going to have me play the tenor 2 part for Lakeside Jazz Festival. I am so jealous of our Bari Sax player.

[@charlesterrizzi8311]

Maynard was really on this night

[@dthrift3]

Fraser High School just played this in chicago and got a gold rating in the Heritage festival of gold an invitation only frestival, nation wide. look up their other jazz items on youtube, Fraser High School. all parts were played too. the bari soloist in are band is incredible, as well as four trumpets that can play maynards part with no problem.

[@conanthesmackercts1169]

Those drum fills though

[@masterwarhammer1]

I'm DIEING to get the second half of Denis DiBlasio's bari solo!! Any suggestions of where to get it?