Maynard Ferguson - Fireshaker

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.

[@trumpetnbass]

Not to take away from Maynard's phenomenal playing, but the electric bass in this song is downright amazing.

[@robertwolf3969]

Sounds like Gary King, who was a very busy guy in the '70's and '80's.

[@multimeter2859]

Send this to Davie504.

[@rickdavenport9538]

Matt Bissonette on the bass.

[@scuba9891]

Not the written bass line either. Really grooves.

[@BassGuitarGuy128]

That bass line is just… tasty

[@spudhufer]

I used to be able to play that bass line to a tee:)

[@spudhufer]

That trombone solo is insane as well:)\

[@klakeron4209]

BassGuitarGuy128 it's delicious

[@jeffolson1701]

BONE SOLO AWESOME.. I played TBone back in 1976 & this is when I was introducesd TO MF. Saw him in 1978 & a few years lateer at th MN STATE FAIR

[@markmorningstar5374]

Album credits: www.discogs.com/Maynard-Ferguson-Live-From-San-Francisco/release/5408176 Bass: www.discogs.com/artist/397975-Matt-Bissonette His brother played drums on this album too!

[@ricobert1]

Trombonist straight kills it. Damn.

[@larrysiner8278]

When I played this with Maynard it was very funky. Called me Trombone man.

[@DEFIB7]

Trombone Man Siner! Lucky you

[@SimochiChox]

2006 my high school rhythm section just demolished this song. God I love it.

[@HeelofTim]

My high school jazz band almost got to do a workshop with Maynard. But it was scheduled shortly before he passed on... :(

[@jwryals1982]

3 people were in shock of the extreme high register and accidently hit the dislike button

[@yankz57]

Trombone solo FTW!

[@spudhufer]

that trombone solo is insane ...My highschool (Oceanside also got to play with maynard and Chick Corea)

[@jamesbutler8356]

It’s not a solo it’s a trio

[@Aktzin]

This is probably my favorite Maynard Ferguson track of all time, right next to songs like Conquistador, Gabriel, and Gospel John. The kick-in grabs your attention right away, and then you get the bass-line. Absolutely godlike, off the chart funk the entire time. The drummer is also insane, every note has so much punch, it feels like the band is just an extension of the drummer’s intensity. I haven’t even gotten to the trumpets, and, holy crap, no matter how many times I listen to the song, the high register never gets old. The sheer power behind those trumpet players is insane. All in all, amazing song with each section pulling their weight, making each buildup as good as the last.

[@EldnahEbut]

1996-97 my high school jazz band rocked this song! Love it!!!

[@coryfrancis5499]

Got this today, needless to say going to love it, especially being the bass player!

[@UBZUKki]

nice....My first time hearing this....Loose and funky....Nice...

[@silenstrike665]

+UBZUKKI same first impressions here lol

[@trumpetplayerrayden7631]

That trombone is just, yes

[@StudioTrumpeter]

THE BOSS FOREVER!

[@sovereignviper]

This song is amazing.

[@kylespiteri321]

gives me goosebumps everytime i listen

[@bribo1]

Amazing trumpet solo.

[@joshuapasqual6482]

manyard plays funk and jazz he is a ledgand

[@Elpro-uf9by]

joshua pasqual funk falls into jazz

[@DanielSchnackenberg]

loved playing this bass line

[@davinator225]

*lips.exe not found*

[@raymondjordan185]

Davinator *Chops

[@1.4142]

copied

[@bubby3190]

Wow that bassist is incredible!

[@Ravivharshanee]

Bass player shines!

[@fatboydylan228]

Man that bass goes ham

[@MsAbaran]

This is great to play

[@mattsvhstrombone]

Awesome! I'm pretty sure my band may be playing this this year... And I'mma be getting myself a nice trombone solo! =)

[@juice2224]

did he get the trombone solo??

[@ThisShitIsWeird]

My lesson teacher played with Maynard and he said that Maynard was urked at the idea of players in front of a mic. Weird little fun fact of Maynard

[@OGslayer_1220]

I actually played this as a senior in high school

[@_Charles_LeClerc_]

Carlo Nicolai dude we played this in B band

[@brandoGTR48]

What am I doing Here What are you doing Here

[@beagleman123456789]

Great 👍

[@robalexg]

Floyd Fried and the Tech Tones- Hutchinson-Central Tech High School! c/o 1992 - 1996! We loved this song! Played it ALL OVER THE EASTERN SEABOARD! Won Fourth Place at the Berklee College of Music and Jazz Festival the first time we entered in 1994! Eric Biondo and King Susaphone on Trumpet! Rob Grissom on Backup Keyboard!

[@GlennSlenderMusic]

Great tune - the best he ever did IMHO

[@mattsvhstrombone]

You got this, chica!

[@i_bow_down_to_yaogbrycegif3818]

the bass line is nasty as fuck

[@i_bow_down_to_yaogbrycegif3818]

Kabal 617 nasty as in sexy and loose

[@rileyjames9939]

So good

[@Mr1337drummer]

I may have never funked this hard before until hearing this song

[@benvizemusic]

i know right ;) me and harry were jamming to this song !

[@genuineforce]

fukin mad bone solo !! thanks for this man made mi nite

[@FINBONE2]

I was there for that also

[@SirMaxLevandoskiswagmoney]

You have no right to monetize this

[@HammerAnimationsChannel]

Sir Max Levandoski it's not monetized

[@SirMaxLevandoskiswagmoney]

TheLegend27 it was a month ago

[@mrmoinn]

How do you check

[@EFRproductions]

@mattsvhstrombone matt you rock!!!

[@finnswede4225]

Rocking this song at CMU Jazz Festival with the West Michigan Homeschool Fine Arts Jazz Band! Anyone in the area should come and here us rock out! 9:40 AM! Our lead Trumpet rivals some of the best in the jazz world, and our Lead Alto will make you lose yourself later in our performance with his solo in Jeeps Blues!!

[@GrantFunkyFrabe]

Joel M. Haha. You guys happened to perform at Hastings Jazz fest?

[@finnswede4225]

Yes I did!

[@finnswede4225]

Grant "Funky" Frabe​

[@GrantFunkyFrabe]

Joel M. I had a lot of stuff to say at that concert. It was beautiful. it was my freshman year and first year in jazz band. I heard your first trumpet. He was unbelievable. Being a bassist myself I loved the groove and you guys introduced me to Maynard. Our south Haven group came to watch as you guys were up and we couldn't stop talking about y'all. I'm on an upper level of musicianship (not trying to brag) but I was jealous because I want to be in that good of a group. Y'all killed it!

[@finnswede4225]

Grant "Funky" Frabe​ Many thanks man. I was Berri sax that year, and it was a blast. Don't play much now, but it was an awesome time in my life. I miss it a lot. Love to meet someday, or cross at a festival!

[@grantkoeller8911]

At 1:09 the beat turns around as the bass player goes with the drummer, even though the drummers was doing a "turn the beat around" drum effect.

[@peni80085]

Thats just a glitch in this video. Different from the original one

[@GlennSlenderMusic]

@spudhufer It's not a trombone - it's a superbone

[@Skelmins]

Does anyone have sheet music for this, its so amazing

[@ben9130]

skelmins it's on Hal Leonard

[@chrisduncan1776]

So I bought the sheet music, every solo is ad lib. It literally gives you the chords to go by and you make your solo.

[@Skelmins]

anyone know where i can get an mp3 for this?

[@michaelhehir4072]

Anyone happen to know where the full band score for this would be available from?

[@derekjohnson4453]

hal leonard

[@EvanTempleton]

the jet-tone 5D, it was actually given to my teacher by him

[@Skelmins]

@kurineco13 Is there any way you could get the full score to me please. I would appreciate it so much :)

[@GreenBoy9000]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nneYgmOIlLOYbaM

[@Ncstolat]

Trying to convince my band teacher to take this to comp, let's see how it goes.

[@Ncstolat]

Update: we're taking Samba Ti Keye and Such Sweet Thunder. A bit sad but I will prevail another day....

[@dylanrogers32]

@@Ncstolat i'd love to play this in my schools jazz band but idt we would, there's an arrangement tho and i just play along w it for fun

[@mattsvhstrombone]

How you doing on that?

[@theohornsby51]

S L A P P

[@OneWithTheBugs]

Our jazz band sight read this. We'll probably do it in our concert tomorrow.

[@josephc447]

3:14 "Its Maynard"

[@arminsteinke2301]

No. Maynard says "Chris Brayman" the trombone soloist.

[@DeathByChestnuts]

Anyone know who played drums for this chart?

[@markmorningstar5374]

Here's the link to the credits: www.discogs.com/Maynard-Ferguson-Live-From-San-Francisco/release/5408176 And info about the Drummer: www.discogs.com/artist/255889-Gregg-Bissonette And his Brother played bass on this album!

[@OneWithTheBugs]

@mileycyrussoulja Nope, Jazz Band class. We did really well too.

[@EvanTempleton]

yeah, I have his mouthpiece

[@beagleman123456789]

Matt Bissonette Bass ‘ Greg Bissonette Drums ‘

[@robertwolf3969]

3:56 it's all Maynard, took a while for the band to able to get up to his speed.

[@xXbassisloveXx]

lol and I get to learn to slap!

[@posaunist5]

who is the trombonist?

[@bmeff3103]

babee play it 1 more tIME

[@AlexSchmidt1992]

There are three people who hate music.

[@redopps7875]

AlexSchmidt1992 Who?

[@mattsvhstrombone]

You can do it! Bleh! I suck at soloing... as you can probably easily tell...

[@haroldjosephcollinsIII]

Jazz is a sound that is about life living in Science. This Science is about me. I am the Science Matter here. And i don't know these People in NASA. I need to see the Tour. I've never taken the Tour. Hello NASA?

[@jamesbarker94]

@lukedogg90 ahahahah luke

[@WoWintosh]

Fuck I don't want to play the trombone solo. Too damn high.

[@amyegelhofer9626]

Hallo liebe Freundin

[@xXbassisloveXx]

good, pull ups are hard though

[@redopps7875]

Lucy Ward What?

[@xXbassisloveXx]

nope, I'm trying to funk

[@greatmusicuk6348]

Is that Davie504 on bass?😂 SLAP LIKE if you understand Also, the trombones on this are 👌spot on

[@samwilliams874]

😒 cribge