Maynard Ferguson - Scream Machine

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.

[@joshbond2482]

You all came here for the trumpet playing, and I respect that, but this song has got a killer drummer on it too.

[@TheNo1BandDad]

Josh Bond: you ain't lying.

[@seanpaddock5947]

I came here because i love jazz. Not for the specific parts, btw the tenor sax part is tight.

[@TheNo1BandDad]

Sean Paddock If you want a killer sax solo, check out "Coconut Champagne" on the "Live from San Francisco." The Bari-Sax is awesome.

[@TheNo1BandDad]

I've seen it. Great video.

[@Johnant338]

That's what most people that listen to Maynard ferguson come for

[@jackfrost127]

After 14 years, this is still up as Maynard…. This is Dave Detwiler playing lead/solo. One of the longest lead player from the Army Blues. I’ve taken many lessons from him and was good friends with his son. Want to hear more, look up Army Blues with Dave in it. Biggest guidance I got from him, “make your B day sound like your A day”. Referring that all trumpeters have bad days. Just can’t let anyone think you do.

[@szasstamblr2869]

I got here by searching "Scream Jazz" and I don't regret it at all.

[@HotPaychecks]

scream aaaa spooky

[@GamesGutzy]

He kissed a girl once. She died.

[@1.4142]

sucked the life out of her.

[@trevianhipp9250]

@@1.4142 blew the life into her

[@MyDeadFriendz]

5 yrs later, and this made me laugh....thank you

[@friendlyhatespeech3300]

My lips hurt from listening to that

[@alexpalmer7018]

Mine are bleeding already

[@Spartan-oq1yw]

chapped for dayz finally got the blood off of my face yesterday and have recently regained feeling in my mouth and jaw

[@golfer4lif7]

Dave Detwiler is my teacher and told me the story of how he came to play this solo with the Army Blues. There is no doubt in my mind it is Dave.

[@Divadmj65]

golfer4lif7 DAVE DETWILER IS YOUR TEACHER??,$,?9?

[@jonathanorellana-sanchez2971]

mine too haha

[@terrytusab]

Dave Detwiler is the soloist. Steve Jones has the lyrical bits at the beginning and end. For the drummers sharing the love, that's Bruce Baldwin. From the Army Blues album titled, "Scream Machine". Roger Rossi, Jack Garner and Dave Nordland fill out the section. What a band.

[@RoscoeDashin]

At the end when he takes it up the octave 😱😱

[@sophibivens3576]

You don't know what an octave is?

[@finitimadrid5191]

The Dashing Troll super g

[@Bread-yx2eg]

Sophi Bivens He did take it up an octave

[@matthewharris237]

I play this with my jazz band, and as the lead, I can without a doubt say, you feel like a FREAKING BADASS throughout this entire piece

[@kentbull9939]

Dave Detweiler is the guy taking it up the octave

[@Bobsmithmusic]

This clip has been misnamed. This is the title track from the Army Blues album, "Scream Machine." My father is the pianist (what of him you can hear.) The trumpet work is indeed that of Dave Detwiler.

[@LeChosenOne123456]

Do you have proof of this? Because this video should be reported if this is true.

[@Bobsmithmusic]

Yes, I have the master tapes of this album and I know the musicians on the recording.

[@stagebandman]

LeChosenOne123456 This has been wrongly attributed to Maynard for years. Here's the real story: Mark Taylor was the staff arranger for the Army Blues. He "Scream Machine" for them. They recorded it. This is that recording. The album is CALLED "Scream Machine". You can go to the Army Blues website for confirmation. Dave Stahl also recorded a somewhat different version on his album, "ANACONDA". To sell the chart, though, Mark knew no high school player could perform this, so he lowered the key from F to Bb and called it "Brass Machine". Otherwise it's the same chart, just a 5th lower. Maynard never played it, never recorded it and never performed it. Why would he? His library was certainly big enough he didn't have to raid someone else's. PLEASE, everyone, let's put an end to this misconception right now.

[@klakeron4209]

Bobsmithmusic giggles

[@jonathanorellana-sanchez2971]

very true, it’s irritating

[@TheOnlyMunk]

Dave Detwiler on the Lead Trumpet!!! YOU GO

[@de_xammy3568]

I wana hear him play a piccolo trumpet... Dear God.

[@veltford911411]

listen to Fantasy-Maynard Ferguson

[@davinator225]

OOOOVVVVEEEEERRRR 9000000000000000000000000000000!!

[@matthewmclaughlin3727]

He did but it unraveled

[@lukepetrowski]

does he really need to?

[@thadalberty3419]

A piccolo trumpet doesn’t automatically add an octave to your range though.

[@SelbySavidge]

After much in-depth research (by which I mean ten minutes of Googling) I must concur with Michael Muskey's post below: This song (properly entitled Scream Machine) was written by Mark Taylor and originally recorded by the Army Blues Jazz Ensemble, featuring Dave Detwiler and Steve Jones on trumpet. It is the first track on their LP of the same title. Maynard Ferguson never had anything to do with this song as far as I can tell.

[@WillToWinvlog]

The lead sounds like Maynard. Either way, the song is gold!

[@benbetts595]

Im pretty sure that he covered it, thats what this is. He changed many songs slightly to more his style, and then played them himself. At least, thats what I've heard

[@Bobsmithmusic]

Ben Betts This isn't a cover. This isn't Maynard. This has nothing to do with Maynard. It's the Blues.

[@stagebandman]

Ben Betts Maynard NEVER played this. NEVER!

[@brettboylan8529]

this was created by maynard was it not?

[@matthewcooper2640]

Listening to 2:34 - 3:00 with high quality headphones, at max volume, is either the worst or best decision I've ever made.

[@SgtJelly]

Well, his picture says so..... Btw, my brother marched Mandarins the summer of 2014. So I really like Mandarins, Bluecoats, CC, and Phantom Regiment.

[@hughpenner1417]

Such drum corps vibes

[@Bix12]

this is why God gave us ears....

[@TheJakeFlores]

I am eternally addicted

[@zaheemsmith20]

this song at half speed starting at 0:38 sounds like a song that would be played on a cowboy movie.

[@raidone7413]

lol

[@pixelsyonder35]

Exactly what I told my friend, who plays first part, that part, who is a freshman

[@lukemelanson9959]

ahahaha

[@themajorchord251]

personally, I can see this being played in some kind of sci-fi outer space kind of kids movie, either that or some kind of cop show like chips

[@redopps7875]

What about 0.75

[@theacidicsniper4631]

Is that Mario Kart 9??? Nah, it's just awesomeness. I sincerely feel this could be the credits for the next Mario Kart game. Like if you agree

[@hirokokueh3541]

Mario kart 8 sound track was recorded by Eric Miyashiro, who used to play with Maynard Ferguson and in the same style

[@thefatass500]

Well that explains why the soundtrack is so awesome.

[@antoniobenitez4428]

To become a man Step 1: Puff out your chest Step 2: say "tax exemption" 3: now you must acquire a taste for F R E E F O R M J A Z Z

[@garrettkrawczyk9414]

antonio benitez ahhh free form jazz👌 it’s just the beeeeessssst

[@TalkingSandvich]

This isn't free form. Or, last time I checked it wasn't free form

[@Spartan-oq1yw]

no this isn't but free form jazz is pretty awesome coming from a soon to be jazz player

[@franzliszt7682]

Funny and original

[@robertbrookes2000]

As a trombone player, who's played Brass Machine many times. To these trumpet players: We are not worthy!

[@Sora657]

I love this...

[@jimthomas1717]

Man,what great music.

[@rustyshakleford2329]

One of my favorites from High school band

[@Ibanez3789]

This is amazing.

[@wiblue1996]

Love that solo

[@mamasiracusa]

Reminiscing and looking up the songs we played in Marching Band in high school. No wonder we won so many awards!!!!!!

[@coledewitz2109]

AMAZING SONG i am a trumpet player myself and im just astonished of how good this is. also great playlist BTW!!

[@mattwg2009]

our marching band is playing this! amazing song!!

[@slugoz7709]

What a legend mr Detwiler is, glad this has been cleared up, this is not maynard, even though maynard still would’ve killed this if it was written in for him

[@graysenwinters3027]

This song is a masterpiece It gives me chills

[@justindavis0101]

one my fav trumpet songs

[@iamshartsmell]

Hey I'm a woodwind player who played well above double octaves but I can't help but love the sound of a screaming trumpet! Maynard Ferguson - coconut champagne. I played that in jazz as tenor sax and the trumpet behind me broke a mirror to that song lol loved it

[@rgw4]

you press a button and go up an octave...not as impressive as a trumpet doing it lol

[@LeChosenOne123456]

rgw4 If you think playing high notes on a woodwind is as easy as just pressing a button, then you should really look into it ;)

[@rgw4]

LeChosenOne123456 if you think its equally impressive to play high on a woodwind, you should try brass sometime...

[@LeChosenOne123456]

I play both trumpet and alto saxophone. Yeah, trumpet is about 10x harder, I never said it wasn't. However, I absolutely hate it when people think that the only thing you need to do to play notes on a woodwind is push a few buttons. Maybe that's true for a 4th grader who can play 5 notes, but if you want to be anywhere near average or beyond, there is a ton of work that goes into embouchure forming and general technique. For instance, if I want to hit a double C on a trumpet, I have to think about using powerful, quick air while pushing from my diaphragm and keeping a solid embouchure. If I want to hit that same note on an alto saxophone, I have to push the second key, keeping an open throat, use a controlled embouchure, and also use a large, yet controlled amount of air.

[@rgw4]

LeChosenOne123456 ok well idk what level youre on, but i know many higher level players admitting range is nothing for woodwinds

[@brycedavis98]

Awesome!!!

[@Bread117]

Brass Machine! Greatest trumpet fanfare ever!

[@maxyenk1320]

I don’t think there is anyone in the world of music that can keep up with his easiness to really reach for those high notes. A legend forever taken too young but grateful that he once walked on this earth. His sound will never be forgotten or replaced

[@thadalberty3419]

Too young? He passed away at 78, that’s a pretty full life and career.

[@maxyenk1320]

@@thadalberty3419 I know I know. I’m not gonna say he was actually young, I just wish we got longer with him. I’m too young myself to have gotten to experience his music until much later after his passing. Would of loved to see him in action

[@thadalberty3419]

@@maxyenk1320 that’s true, I would’ve loved to hear someone like him, Doc Severinsen, Bud Herseth, or Maurice Andre live. I did hear Doc live once when I was a kid, but he was around 80 and past his prime.

[@maxyenk1320]

@@thadalberty3419 I couldn’t be more jealous! You saw a legend regardless but always sad once they lose a little bit of the range in the later years.

[@SamIAm-kz4hg]

This is not Maynard.

[@Coasterteck]

Thanks!!!!

[@canosgmk]

Still. This is missed labeled after posting this a few times. This is done by the Army Blues and solo work done by Dave Detwiler. I know his for a fact as I have taken lessons from hi and seen the album he recorded it on. KZbin Dave Detwiler and Scream Machine and you can see the transcription. MF is a hell of a player, but give credit where it belongs!!!!

[@kentbull9939]

The first trumpet solo is Dave's long time friend Steve Jones

[@thechrismackeyorchestra1042]

AS others have said this is not MF...it is the US Army Blues... features Steve Jones on the first trumpet solo and Dave Detwieler plays the second solo and the 8va at the end!So please re title correctly!

[@jasonbarrette4980]

What makes this piece so incredible is not just Maynard himself, but the fact that all those trumpets had to okay that high and *stay in tune*. Absolutely bonkers

[@deathking342]

I'm so glad that this is the first result for scream machine :)

[@younes9696]

As mentioned below, this is not Maynard Ferguson. This is the Army Blues. The lead trumpet player was Dave Detwiler. I saw him play this in person...

[@somebodyfarted123]

I would kill to see this live.

[@quintbush8988]

Thanks for the music and the bio. I guess I never researched all of Ferguson's paths that led to his music that I first heard and loved as a middle school kid in the early 80s. I knew of his stints with some of those earlier groups but not his session work. I think I'll go look him up this weekend and see what else I can learn. Again, thanks!

[@mjd4174]

You'll likely learn that this is not Maynard Ferguson and that he never recoeded this tune.

[@stretch45g]

The best part is at 3:56 where the trumpet(s) goes up the octave......AWESOME

[@tarmenta42]

Cool thanks

[@cortos01]

To respond to a few post, this track was recorded under both names Scream Machine and Brass Machine. We played this track in my high school Marching band in Chantilly Va. . We had guest artist Dave Dettwiler (lead and solo trumpet forr the Army Blues) play with us on this along with many other songs and Jazz concerts back in the early 90's. His son was also in the band. I was a Sax player during that time but a few of the trumpet players in the various bands took lessons from Mr. Dettwiler.

[@tbodowd]

This horn section has to be one of the strongest I've heard since the horn section MF had back in 77' - The higher the louder the better!

[@boltstrike1796]

This song is brass machine. I just played it this year in jazz band.

[@tonkajahari3010]

What a nightmare of a song for a trumpet player. Maynard was a genius and all of his musicians were absolutely amazing. 😂

[@jennifers7555]

OMGGGGG 1:30 is where the goosebumps start!!! He's so amazing!!

[@chubbychunky35]

That is a wonderful solo,omg i wish i could be his student :'(

[@BryanNicodemus]

@dJunGi This is by the US Army Blues Band. It is off the album "Scream Machine," and the soloist is Dave Detwiler. Maynard never recorded or even played Brass Machine or Scream Machine.

[@xFabl3dGrizz]

I wish I could play this

[@sandyhughes611]

listen in 2x speed volume max 2:48 rip

[@JS-gn9rs]

God, not within a million miles of Maynard's sound.

[@NotBroihon]

Ye, maynard's is complete crap compared to this.

[@ilsaslm1024]

THANK YOU. its the Army Blues

[@sherifftactical7830]

Band director told me to listen to Maynard Ferguson, that's why I'm here.

[@TptLead]

You are listening to Dave Detwiler and the Army Blues.

[@garrettmarvel5967]

I’m scrolling through this, and it’s a bunch of things only trumpeters would get

[@cfiigep]

@yellowtuwtle This is absolutely the Army Blues, Steve Jones on lead and Dave Detwiler on the solo in the 2nd part. That's also Twiler up the octave at the end. The chart was written by Mark Taylor when he was the arranger on the Army band, and is available commercially as Brass Machine. Yes, it's written down about a fourth for humans to be able to play it. You gotta know someone to get the original Scream Machine chart. I have the Brass Machine chart in my hand.........

[@prodigaljess]

My high school marching band played this piece (along with Cherokee and Caravan) for our field show when I was in high school in California. We had a couple trumpeters who could nail the solos well enough too...not like Maynard, of course, but they did well. We won a LOT of competitions that year across the state. Good times.

[@ChaseKelleh]

3:47 on wards gives me the chills everytime

[@ilsaslm1024]

@bchipster it is indeed. i have this on vinyl because my dad joined the blues a little after this recording was made.

[@ikehajos]

As much as I love Maynard, the solos sound way too crisp and clean to be him.

[@gavinhardison742]

its dave detwiler

[@nitch100]

Listen to Maynard's stuff from the 50's, as clean and tight as it gets

[@thechrismackeyorchestra1042]

Yes MF was the Boss... but this is The Blues, this is a transcription of Dave Detweiller's solo kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2m4gn6oas2Ca8k

[@everettturner4206]

Have you ever heard Where's Teddy by Maynard? Talk about crisp!

[@andrewroth3584]

1:30 Hell yes.

[@nine_tailed_fox7760]

Me: Tries to play this song My lips: *fucking disintegrates*

[@TheRealProski87]

0:45 so damn good.

[@mamuraanvarova7767]

good

[@choji98]

we're playing a different version of this song for jazz band and it sounds amazing

[@assist_yt1640]

I play trumpet to this is good

[@jackfairclough9269]

Josef Suarez Same. Its amazing.

[@jackfairclough9269]

Jack Fairclough How old and how long?

[@Tunkert]

+Jack Fairclough 19, 10

[@frankseidelt1906]

United States Army Band!!! I know exactly this recording als "scream machine", played by the United States Army Band. Mybe Mynard Ferguson performed it with them at this recording. I got it at a white MC as giveaway, while they visit Japan to inaugurate the Tokyo Dome in march 1988.

[@cck92]

brass machine!!!

[@stalcueh]

yeah...he was my private instructor for 5 years.

[@MysteriouslySpaceTime]

you.are.my.idol.

[@mr.twists9302]

Best part in the song 2:34-3:03 But now my ears are destroyed. And I gotta say it was worth it.

[@MusicJunky89]

wish i could play like that! its so cool! lip bustin n brain popping tho lol

[@ja14732]

UMMB played it this year for their homecoming show. It works well.

[@twearden]

Great recording whoever played it, some people need to calm down with their criticism! It's all about the music people :D

[@user-rp2lg2fz6j]

これぞトランペット！ He is one person of the trumpeters most famous for Japan.

[@cwissyuwu]

My band is playing this. (Tavares middle school) GO PATRIOTS!!!!!!!

[@Dalilblacboy]

This is brass machine

[@LeChosenOne123456]

"This isn't Brass Machine, it's Scream Machine by the Army Blues. Brass Machine was an arrangement released afterwards by the same composer." I literally copied and pasted this from TheMjolnir128. Guys, stop claiming this is a different song. Brass Machine was written later for more inexperienced bands in a lower key since the trumpet in this song is basically death itself.

[@Alaric-Live]

This isn't Maynard Ferguson, it's Dave Detwiler :3

[@daddydoot7152]

Alaric Lacey no wonder it sounded good

[@cam6537]

Alaric Lacey and it's not scream machine it's brass machine

[@fugslecyon8098]

brass machine is scream machine just down a 5th i think. this is actually scream machine

[@cam6537]

FugsLèCyon well I'm dumb then lol same song different names different keys

[@cam6537]

FugsLèCyon but it makes sense with the fact of how much is screaminh

[@musikatJorrit]

jihaaaaaaaaaaa das geht ab man!!!!

[@Coasterteck]

I wish I could find download for this.

[@AFBugleboy]

The published title of this is "Brass Machine." On Dave Stahl's very first big band record(vinyl) from the 80's, "Anaconda," he recorded this very tune and titled it "Scream Machine." This youtube submission is not from that album and neither is it a Maynard Ferguson performance. Maynard never recorded or performed this. Hope this helps. BTW, if you want to purchase this chart it is by Mark Taylor and comes in both a professional and watered-down arrangement.

[@yerkees01]

good God, is it ever

[@edwardlmartin988]

RIP

[@ssbtrumpet1]

Yes, you are correct it is the Army Blues. The scream part was performed by Jack Garner. I have the record and I used to study with Jack.

[@JDSnowb]

Why isn’t the actual album from The Army Blues on Apple Music or any other music platform?

[@Supersamazing]

Has anybody noticed the description of the video on the side ? It's amazingly long !!!!!!!!

[@ftgdarkshadow]

@MrJazzChilli Yes... it is brass machine, but it is called "Scream Machine" because the trumpet is played higher than the original.

[@goldsmith1210]

I like the part with the trumpet.

[@trump3t]

2:33 - 3:03 oh yea... i LOVE how tight it is!!

[@wiblue1996]

@MrBaseballplayer2468 Thank You!

[@stagebandman]

THis recording is the Army Blues from the album Scream Machine, recorded in the mid-80s. Bill Chase was already dead when this song was written.

[@ColinMroczko]

The part at 0:39 sounds amazing.

[@cortos01]

Living in the DC area was a blessing for us young players because we had access to so many military band menbers. The Commodores, Blues and Airmen of Note all played concerts at Chantilly High. Bruce Gates from the Note also played a guest artist concert with the Chantilly Jazz. @ssbtrumpet1, I dont know who Jack Garner is but if he wasnt in the Army Blues, he is not on this track.

[@Delaitheshade]

i played this for my concert last year. I can attempt to send you the music. i just have to get the copy first.

[@samanttha_brown]

as a trumpet player, *this terrifies me*

[@danielbethea9585]

But there was no better feeling than screaming the high F live on stage, don’t be afraid of it just seize the moment and scream

[@SpeedKnifer]

@RYUU91 Scream Machine and Brass Machine are similar songs but Scream machine is taken up an octave by the trumpets

[@HeavyMetal257]

actually guys, and first when this song was played by the army blues band it was called scream machine, but now the name has been changed and is now called brass machine.

[@Minchito88]

@2:34...idk if its my speakers or something but sounds like they were kiiling those mics! AWESOME!!!!!! XD

[@strezzedoutz]

is there any chance you could send me both arrangements in pdf? x]

[@iLoveCaterpies]

I'm a freshman I play trumpet and I have the first solo you hear. Its pretty legit song once you learn how to play it