Maynard Ferguson -- MacArthur Park

[@TheBUBBAMEX]

In 1981 my father was a shuttle driver for a company in Chicago. He picked up Maynard Ferguson from the airport and he tipped my dad 100 dollars.. it was a very bad year for my family and we were struggling just to make ends meet. It was a miracle .. I later took up playing the trumpet and would always listen to Maynard.. he was the best

[@joshuazamora6464]

Yea right

[@rtmairose7945]

@@joshuazamora6464 the Boss was tight, but I know there were moments of unexpected unknown generosity. He and a small group with some artists out of a college he helped support played the gazebo in Oak Park, a little suburb west of the Valley in LA. Wouldn’t have known about it if I hadn’t seen the flyer in an Agoura Hills suburb. Talked with him about Cincinnati, some great performances. Of all things he talked about the ribs he had in Cincy. I knew the ones. Got his address and had them ship some ribs. His return generosity was a real treat for this trumpet player. One great artist, band leader, and musical philanthropist gone too soon.

[@Claude-u8o]

​@@joshuazamora6464🤡

[@joesullivan8861]

great story of the type of man he was!! True Canadian!!!

[@philliphanson9477]

High school jazz band in the '70's.... Everybody played Maynard Ferguson. What a class act to see him live and shake his hand after a performance that left the Audience exhausted! He was truly an Ambassador, and inspired many thousands of musicians to play, to continue to work on their art. I'm 65 now, still trying to nail this one down on the drums, with a few friends. 3 trumpets, two bones, 2 altos, a bari, keys, rhythm and bass guitar. My living room every Tuesday night, and some odd gigs here and there. We're not that good, but we all love our music. Thank you for the music, Maynard.

[@fredoswego]

Maynard was god to our high school band. I managed to see his orchestra after I got out of high school and the audience was full of high school students. He really did have an affect on us. I'm sitting here going through all the Maynard videos and he really does seem to be enjoying himself and has no problem handing the limelight off to a band member.

[@gilbertbarrera9240]

I played in high school gonna fly now and maynard.was.the best. We all tried to.imimitate his.music. he was awesome.after high school.he came.to.my high school and.i had a chance to.drive.him.around the town.of.weiser idaho. I never got to ask what secrets he could have helped me succeed in trumpet playing with even higher.notes.i am glad I had a time with driving the king of jazz

[@joesullivan8861]

​@@gilbertbarrera9240 great story!! he was a great man as a human and player

[@bkrider19]

Gotta hand it to Maynard. He didn't have an ego problem. He encouraged younger players to get up there and shine. Great example.

[@danbogle5848]

+Trek Ryder When I saw him in the 70's, that was the one thing we all commented on was the number of young, super talented players and he let them have their time in the spot light..

[@tonyseel12]

+Dan Bogle I saw him two or three times in the same time period and was really impressed by Lynn Nicholson.

[@LowReedExpert1]

+Tony Seel Lynn is still playing like that too!

[@Carryon392]

And, no "bus tapes" either.

[@fourjuliasmotoryacht2029]

My mentor growing up see him many times I still have his 1980 concert shirt

[@wheeleyguy]

Lynn Nicholson's solo on MacArthur Park will live forever

[@ethanle644]

Shaun Blackstock yes

[@CarnivoreLife7]

Lynn is alive and doing well in Las Vegas. I met him and played notes together and listened to his advice and will treasure this meeting the rest of my life! LYNN IS THE BEST!

[@carloseduardogonzalezsalga7947]

@@CarnivoreLife7 the best trumpet high note screamer!

[@thebreathalyzer]

MF was into it so much!!!! Great soloing from Don too.

[@marksolheim6188]

I did not think that it was that good. he reached for notes that he could not hit. Upper notes were flat and thin.

[@tomdimartino7361]

I hope jazz makes a huge come back. I think it will one day!

[@shahonchen6661]

No way! Totally dead!

[@g.r.isidro938]

In the winter of 1976, I went to see Maynard Ferguson perform at a local high school. I was attending Trinity College (Deerfield IL) and had been playing trumpet all of my life. It was cold, wet and sleeting. My date and I (I don't remember her name anymore), and another couple from Trinity College drove in my 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 Special. It was a truly memorable experience. Maynard and his band put on a fantastic show. We didn't want to leave. After the concert, we were able to go up to the band and meet them. My date and I had our picture taken with Maynard (sadly, the picture has been lost). We ended up having coffee and apple pie at the Denny's near our college (the favorite hangout for college kids from our college). Oh to be young again!!

[@tab9856]

awesome story

[@anthony989utube]

nice memories to have

[@jorgecallico9177]

GR Isidro,. One of the most astonishing conditions that happened towards the end of Maynard's career was this: Absolutely Everytime his band got booked at a local school somewhere the principal or leadership of the administration of the school would receive hundreds of phone calls and listen to stories similar to yours. Best regards!

[@jerrmiecabrerapineda1103]

2024 still Maynard is the best Trumpet player of all time.🎉

[@recalcitrist1]

Not only is it great hearing this band, I love Maynard's spirit and personality, and watching him work.

[@tramonellis9009]

recalcitrist1 same

[@astorga1332]

Cocaine.

[@Arborwaychet]

Don Hans on Flugel ... some great licks

[@TheBennik]

I'm just more impressed on how happy and energetic he was. I'm not really a jazz lover by heart, but I can tell that this man had fire that drove him to play like this everyday. I need whatever he had.

[@RBS314]

You’re right Ben. As a high school kid I had the privilege of seeing Maynard and his band put on a clinic during the day, then perform a concert in the evening. It was incredible.

[@donm6798]

Heart and soul... That's what he had.

[@shader_son697]

@@donm6798 ...aaaaand lotsa coke XD

[@red---paulvanravenswaay2247]

@@shader_son697 cocaine

[@breadmoneymusic]

This video is soooo 70's.

[@chosspile.]

Carlos Diaz it's so good

[@tab9856]

Carlos Diaz who has the best hair in the trumpet section tho? I’m really feeling Don’s

[@otter5pain310]

@@tab9856 Lynn Nicholson

[@bkrider19]

Trombone solo like butter.

[@rickpurcell2293]

That was my brother on Trombone; Randy Purcell

[@andrewgregori616]

I was fortunate enough to play in a collegiate band that Randy led in Pittsburgh. He was incredible to work with. So talented and happy to teach.

[@pablito162]

Rest in Peace Randy Purcell. he was a great trombone player

[@smctrout4423]

I think the other trombonist was Jerry Johnson. He is also deceased.

[@paulsimpson1110]

Back in the 74-75 timeframe he did a concert at the Univ of NH. Day before he did a symposium and several of us on music department equipment staff get everything set up and then sat in one of the boxes to listen to him. He "caught" us and in the middle of the symposium said we were the folks who made it happen. Got us backstage passes to watch the show from there (better than front of house). A true gentleman.

[@Will-zo2qm]

Flugel solo cleaner than my search history

[@michaelfishman8137]

Gives me goosebumps today just like it did the first time I heard it 45 years ago.

[@soulfire2588]

I love Don Hans' solo in this so much...

[@chosspile.]

soulfire2588 mine was better

[@thebreathalyzer]

Yep, just brilliant

[@stevekugelmann1975]

I have goosebumps just thinking about his music while Reading all your comments. My Maynard experience really was kicked into high gear after that first show at U of D.

[@DWWhite-mp8zb]

My father was born 1929… he followed Maynard from Stan Kenton’s band onward! I was able to see Maynard in the Chicagoland area for years! (Argo HS, Evergreen Plaza, Jazz Showcase, Ravinia etc… I have his full record collection and even a 78 sample record of a practice recording, that Maynard gave my dad…. Dennis DiBlasio and other great musicians helped Maynard expand his musical genre…Maynard was huge with the local Schools and Northern Illinois Jazz Band members….The Greatest!!!!

[@EdWeibe]

Needs to be an XM Maynard Channel

[@tomdimartino7361]

I WAS so lucky too see maynard over ten times in the Buffalo ny area, seen him do this at least 5 times. talk about the hair standing arm's! The hair would stand up on every part of your body. You weren't the same for weeks after seeing Maynard back in the 70's. I was very lucky.tommyd

[@Pat_S]

So did I in buffalo. I listened to all his albums in the late 70’s on. First time I got to see him was with my dad at the Tralf with High Voltage.

[@kerrynye3752]

@tom dimartino You truly were blessed! I myself was able to see Maynard perform 3 times in my life and have always felt blessed, too. He would always credit his performers, and often would call former members of his band up on stage when performing in their locales. A lost era and lost bandleaders. RIP, Maynard!

[@alamooji3716]

Don Han Best horn solo i ever heard! That's the vibe i love

[@alanmapp8892]

I think I agree! Combined with that great rhythm section,especially the electric piano, it's brilliant. Sorry to be pedantic but it's "Don Hahn",you know in case you want to look him up. Cheers.

[@rontiemens2553]

I think this performance of Mac Park is by far the best that Maynard and band ever did.

[@smaring777]

I had the pleasure of meeting Maynard a few times in the 90's. He was such an inspiration. I miss you Maynard. I was so sad when I heard you died.

[@MartiniMan]

The solo by Lynn Nicholson is simply amazing. Sorta like the album version, kicked up several notches.

[@billsander364]

i was lucky to see Maynard live twice. His shows were full of energy and he had great musicians.

[@bshelley3]

As much as I grew up admiring Maynard (and through this, which I watched on PBS in the 70's) Nicholson...I would also throw out one more name Bill Chase.

[@somjaiwallace9806]

Màynard fergison

[@johncellucci3024]

+bshelley3 +1 on Lynn and Bill.

[@theodoregross1738]

Bill Chase would have surpassed both MF and Doc

[@greglewandowski2969]

are u crazy?

[@perryparsons9960]

Understand, Bill Chase played in Maynard's band, in 1962, on 'Plays Jazz For Dancing'. You get that, right? He credits Maynard as his primary influence, and everything that came after, was based on what he learned from playing in Maynard's band. My personal choice of trumpet these days, not that I am worthy of carrying either Maynard's or Bill's horn case across the parking lot, is a 1969 Conn 60-B, an attempt to compete in that market, for either the MF Horn, or the Schilke B5.

[@adipsous]

As a kid, and as a young trumpet player, I saw Maynard play at Sacramento City College. My mom took me backstage after the performance and I met the man. He was like right on kid, keep playing, or something. encouraging.

[@carloberto6743]

Man, I miss him SO MUCH. There will never be another. RIP.

[@chosspile.]

Carlo Berto I am the next

[@jameshetrick5317]

I read as I'm going to Wayne Bergeron this weekend haha

[@solaribass2491]

The Aesthetic Life, said like a true trumpet player

[@GamerNRetro]

Man. Lynn's solo.

[@carloseduardogonzalezsalga7947]

Its amazing

[@jorgecallico9177]

Lynn is an wonderful human. Just like Maynard himself that way though perhaps a little more mellow. I'm a Facebook buddy of his and he's been a source of great support

[@reneebigsur01]

thank YOU, Maynard for providing a benchmark for all of the Drum Corps that played your amazing music!!!! Today, I saw a man in a tux PARK AND BARK!!!!! :)

[@lastknowngood0]

Don's Fugle horn solo was outstanding as was Lynn's!

[@57Banjoman]

I miss the '70's!!! I loved Maynard, and loved the way he featured his band members! Cool music in Heaven!

[@DJGoldie007]

Wow... WOW.. the WHOLE band was frikkin "INCREDIBLE" that night!

[@DrAGGill]

Saw MF twice late 70's in Vancouver. Second time my brother was with me, just after a football practice, and he fell asleep during the performance. For the finale, the band spread out around the hall. One of the trumpet players saw my brother sleeping, so made sure to stand right behind him. Boy did he wake up fast!!

[@gregturp1611]

He encouraged me. As lead trumpet playing his charts were the best. He was a class act. In 1975 he took the time to come and visit me after I had a bad accident.

[@JoshRosenblumMusic]

Gotta love Don Hanz's solo. Nothing more tasteful than that.

[@ChicagoJT]

The live at Jimmys work was some of their best ever. No doubt. I about wore out my pioneer turntable and several needles playing that trying to pick up the music by ear.

[@tomstanton7157]

Loved MF and his band. Went to hear them whenever they were around. Even at college when I couldn't convince anyone to go with me!

[@louisvcolella1963]

Me too

[@pauledie882]

I was attending University of Buffalo from 1975-1977, playing trumpet in the UB Jazz Ensemble, and frequently went to see Maynard downtown and at other venues in Western NY. He seemed to hang-out in the upstate very frequently around that time. There was a jazz station in Toronto who used to really promote his music, and the station came in loud and clear every night in our dorm room at Goodyear Hall. An era long gone, but long remembered.

[@michaezapin]

What a killer Flugelhorn solo - on top of everything else, there is that!! Spectacular!

[@MrRicktheBartender]

And Rick Petrone on bass - killing it!

[@ssnoc]

I found Maynard in 1976, same year I fell in love with the wrong girl, so this music has always been bitter sweet for me and as such, Maynard defines a very important part of my life.

[@MrBochawa]

Don Hans SLAYS!

[@michaelmcclary8054]

I attended Maynard concerts at BGSU in Ohio from 1972-76. He sold out our 5000 seat Great Hall. We got there 3 hours early. Ordered 10 pizzas- passed pieces to fellow Trumpet Majors.- Michael McClary, Professor of Trumpet 🎺, Georgia Perimeter College & GSU

[@peterputnam3015]

i was lucky enough to see this this same show with the same line up at the under age of 16 at Jonny Yees in so.Yarmouth Ma.(on cape cod) in 1974 i think ,that my dad got me into the club and he was able to record the concert on his portable 4 track cassette top of the line radio shack stereo recorder that the club allowed him to bring in , I still have the tapes today ,what a show Also saw Buddy Rich there but they wouldn't let my dad bring in the recorder....understandably.

[@artrolf4223]

Yes, many years ago, I saw Maynard Ferguson in concert at the Fridley High School in Minnesota to promote the student jazz band there. We'll, it was an excellent show, and he nearly blew the roof off the place!

[@hivuhomes]

Those were the good old days. I never made it big as a trumpet player, but I have a great appreciation of music and respect for great players.

[@fibes55]

I would have given anything to play with Maynard. I never saw anyone express such delight over the accomplishments of his young players.

[@richards4129]

In 1963 or 1964 I saw Maynard at a club in Chicago called Club Laurel located on north Broadway (in the 6200-6300 block or near there). It was the first time ever seeing him in person and to this day in 2020 it was the greatest jazz experience I have ever had. I saw him in person 3-4 other times and they were all unforgettable but the Club Laurel night will forever remain the penultimate jazz experience of my life. When Maynard performed at a College in River Forest, IL in the later 80's or 90's he came into the audience as the band played to be with us commoners. As Maynard passed by me I hugged him and told him I loved him. I meant it. The guy was the greatest of all time. He is the trumpet God of all time. May he rest in peace forever and a day. I love you Maynard.

[@parkerlewis9326]

Man, Randy Purcell's solo is so inspiring!

[@toomuchespresso]

I am so lucky that Maynard came to WVU in the late 70s while I was a student there. That is easily the best concert I have ever heard.

[@edman9798]

We Need Another Great like Maynard to pick up the Baton and Ride this wave into 2020 and beyond ! I grew up on this music and Him & Buddy were my mentors

[@tomdimartino7361]

have no regrets about not being able to see him anymore because I have lasting memories and could still hear him playing that horn. There was nothing like seeing Maynard live, I was very blessed to have been so lucky. tommyd

[@michaezapin]

OMG I almost did it again. 😂😂 I keep coming back to this because not only was Maynard the GOAT, but he catapulted the careers of so many extraordinary musicians that came up in his band - it is mind boggling how good they all were. This is a timeless performance. I'm sure I will come back to it again next year lol.

[@dinodeano1]

that solo by Len nicholsan was fabulous. All the times I saw Maynard he always would say that he didnt let his trumpet players solo because he didnt want them to show him up. He always had the best musicians mainly from Texas if I remember correctly. The last tim e I saw him he was 70 his trumpet players soloed and would hit double high c's and higher effortlessly. This video is the first one Ive seen where his trumpet players were featured this much

[@Braglemaster123]

No, he loved his trumpet section to solo . That's BS and a bad rumor !!!!!!!

[@perryparsons9960]

University of North Texas Lab Band is phenomenal, if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. I will personally boast, my college band director was an alumnus, and incredibly talented. RIP, Milton Jackson.

[@christophervivestrumpet7565]

yo lynn was having a great time and maynard throws his trumpet in the air at 8:15 wooooooh

[@scottgray493]

Don Han took it in my book. I LOVE electric piano, he killed it. This band lineup was so good...

[@scotranney8456]

One of the most epic arrangements Maynard ever played.

[@andrewdrennan9436]

I love the bone playing the ride in this version. Passes off well to the soloist.

[@michaelmcnulty5215]

So much of everything I love about music in one song!

[@simplehuman1798]

Yeah, Don Hans!!!!

[@raymondbeyer9369]

Spectacular Fleugel solo!

[@chosspile.]

Raymond Beyer mine was better

[@1953-j3x]

@@chosspile. sure

[@davidhamilton8410]

There were jazz musicians the likes of which we will never see or hear again, i.e. Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich and on and on.

[@normtwisdale9795]

Maynard played at my High School in the 70's and I also saw him at a club in Jacksonville.

[@saxmanb777]

This is the song that got me hooked on Maynard. Glad to see him in concert later on.

[@11hoosier11]

Wow! For all of Maynard's showmanship whilst playing, he gives Lynn Nicholson the stage and the honor! Pretty impressive.

[@repsforjesus6720]

That flugel solo is badass

[@greg11311]

There is a live version of this song that features one hell of a sax solo. Maynard's versions are awesome!

[@David4Jesus]

Do you mean the Live at Jimmy's album?

[@stevee2095]

There are 2 releases LP versions, 1970 with Brian Smith on Tenor and of course the monster re-arrangement in 1974 (Live at Jimmy's) with Brice Johnston on Bari Sax. That album also has "Stay Loose with Bruce" - try that once and you will be hooked forever.

[@nickbartilucci7689]

Lynn killed it

[@ottojones3162]

Best time of my life growing up listening to his music, engaged to my best friend, we had so many like interests. She played, I played. To this day I am still sad that we never married. Love you Lori D. Lancaster. You still hold a special place in my heart 50 years later. Thanks for the wonderful memories Maynard, you are deeply missed.

[@somebody9033]

😢😢😢😢

[@masonmullen9434]

May you for ever be in our memory Maynard, thanks for it all, couldn't live with out it.

[@gman2013]

I saw Maynard for the first time in 1978 or 79 at Maggie’s Opera House in Cincinnati. I was with a couple of other trumpet players from my H.S.Mbundu. It was amazing. I saw him many years later, 6 months before he died in Pataskala, Ohio. I was able to introduce my son to him who was also a trumpet player in middle school. Amazing, and unforgettable!!

[@robertfales7455]

one thing i noticed straight away was that Maynard's band really has fun and Maynard doesn't seem to be a prick at all and let's them throw down without feeling over shadowed with tremendous players?

[@tedparkinson6892]

There was a time when big bands full of young, talented players roamed the lands, ballrooms, concert halls of all nations. What a damn exciting time to see live jazz with lots of players!

[@BrennenL]

I always use to hate the Flugelhorn solo but every once in a while it is stuck in my head so i watch this like 1000 times a month just for the Flugelhorn solo.. i love it now ;D

[@Tatman1212]

No one takes the high range road of the bridge like Lynn.....I don't think I have ever heard another player go up on the last phrase of that solo! Even Maynard.

[@jamesrawlins735]

Maybe Arturo Sandoval

[@fizztrumpet1496]

I did it once at a concert last year

[@Blogzer]

Maybe he improved over time but he was trying so (too) hard to go high there, at the cost of pitch and phrasing (i.e. breath); count the (not many) seconds between breaths. Not a great example of playing.

[@potatoman7760]

Eric miyashiro does

[@potatoman7760]

James Rawlins Arturo never played much Mac park,

[@giuseppemanca4278]

MAYNARD INVINCIBILE ! Ottimo anche il Flicornista Don Hahn.....Orchestra davvero fenomenale.

[@mythicmesa]

Sorry to hear of Allen's passing, this is one of my all-time favorites!

[@WhiteDogTherapy]

So true. Maynard embodied all facets of the true meaning of being a musician. I admired him when I was in band in high schools and college and was fortunate to attend one of his concerts. He was an amazing person.

[@tomdimartino7361]

I had the amazing luck to see Maynard over ten times live! I'v herd this song done live more then 5 times before I was 20 years back in the 1970's in Buffalo NY. You talk about something making your hair stand up on your arm's WOW the night was like that when you saw Maynard live. I have been to great concerts in my day, rock and roll, pop, jazz, I HAVE To put the rest on the next page

[@jwurtzel9]

Maynard, I apologize for the way I played this. That said, your trombone guy is amazing. To be able to sit there listening to you, then stand up and play...wow, just wow! and S You will always be my hero, right up there w/ Mays and Starr.

[@jimBD81]

Saw him twice in '81 & '82 in a small High School... Two of the best shows I've ever seen...

[@urgdaddy]

Pure Jazz....at it's Best.

[@WyattKingrey]

In 1974 he put on a show at Bowling Green University. Our highschool band went. I played trumpet and during the day him and his horn section had a little trump players seminar. Amazing to say the least. Been a fan most of my life.

[@tomdimartino7361]

I saw the best of them come through Buffalo NY, BUT! a Maynard concert was GOD LIKE it is the only way I could explain it. You felt it for months. One time when I was 17 two friends and I went into his dressing room during intermission and he was resting his head, when he lifted his head to see who was in his dressing room he gave us a big smile and he signed an album that I brought that was from 1956. I still have it. I

[@JoeMo2K]

It’s just so good

[@hastyberford]

The band sounds great and they look like they're having a blast.

[@prerunner97]

Lynn Nicholson showing some jam! Atta boy !

[@azjc6352]

So beautifully played!!

[@tcorcs]

Thankyou for posting that video clip. Maynard was a great supporter of music education. As shown in this clip letting the trumpets all have a chance at the stage. And even a fluegelhorn.

[@tomdimartino7361]

Just another GREAT TALENT! from Canada!

[@dinodeano1]

I love the way he ripped it off at the end of a high note

[@dinodeano1]

No doubt

[@carloseduardogonzalezsalga7947]

Yeah mee to

[@eric_in_florida]

This was peak Maynard!

[@yeahyeahyeah7955]

What an arrangement by Adrian Drover! Sensational performance by Mr. Ferguson and his entire band. And what a song by Jimmy Webb!

[@dater6284]

Goldnrain is right. Maynard was a band leader, composer, and arranger, along with being an amazing performer. He was generous with sharing credit and helping younger players build their careers. He never saw himself as the only important element of a performance. He was a genuinely nice man, and didn't get the credit he deserved for the influence he had on jazz in many ways. I'm sorry I didn't get to meet him until shortly before his death.

[@rontiemens2553]

Maynard might not have gotten due credit at the time but he has an enduring legacy. I suspect every high school and college trumpet player in the world is aware of Maynard Ferguson. Yet Doc Severinsen, as great as he was, is largely forgotten by the younger generations of trumpet players and musicians.

[@ezzflyer123]

The high register that he plays in is amazing! I was fortunate to see MF in concert in or about 1977 in Coldwater MI. Great stuff (RIP MF).

[@juliarichardson1727]

Lynn Nicholson's solo is phenomenal

[@xiurong888]

Agree...that is my favorite verison as well. "Live at Jimmy's" is a great album!

[@stevphenrose7820]

Saw him and his band in England years ago. Great performance

[@StefanMedici]

That bass player is outstanding.