maynard ferguson

1928-2006
How important is race as a consideration, in our attitudes toward jazz?
I suppose one can't complain too loudly that reverse-racism may be a factor in what our culture chooses to celebrate in this uniquely american music form.
I'm just saying, if maynard had been black, do you think he wouldn't have eclipsed louis armstrong as the second-most celebrated trumpeter ever? Did anyone ever play with more range, power, and accuracy? In interpretive expression, he took a back seat to miles and maybe a few others...but his delicate pieces could be as moving as his barn-burners, and his swing was nonpareil.
If you're going to sustain popular excellence over half a century, surviving both the end of the musical style that spawned you and the ascendancy of rock, you're going to open yourself to all sorts of non-purist charges...but that's also a by-product of earnest musical exploration. He incorporated fusion, bebop, indian, latin, operatic, and more. His nay-sayers weren't shy (showboat, sellout, plus being single-handedly responsible for the death of disco, with "Battlestar Galactica" - oh wait, that's MY complaint), but his dedication, virtuosity, and enthusiasm put any pretender to shame. He recorded on nine instruments, including two he designed himself, with valves played by the left hand(!). Listen to "Gospel John", and tell me there was ever a musician who owned their instrument more.
Here then, maynard's greatest albums, and a dream set list. Is my knowledge comprehensive? No, particularly with his early work, some of which is out of print. Is my knowledge hopelessly subjective? Probably. But i've done my due diligence, and here's what rose to the top.
I should add that his brilliance, like almost all music, was a group effort. In particular, i call maynard an object lesson in the crucial role the arranger plays. He was never more incandescent than when jay chattaway did his charts.
So let that music swing and soar. Let it roar!
ALIVE AND WELL IN LONDON (1971)
His first full dive into fusion is blistering. "Fire and Rain", "Aquarius", "My Sweet Lord", "Bridge Over Troubled Water", and "Your Song" burn. The standout track is the lone original, the mesmerizing "The Serpent".
CHAMELEON (1974)
Even with some forgettable tracks, "Gospel John", "La Fiesta", "Superbone Meets the Bad Man", "The Way We Were", "I Can't Get Started", "Livin' for the City", and the title track are so pure and perfect that i'll use a word i've never written before - eargasm.
CONQUISTADOR (1977)
Maynard's most flawless album was also the first big band album to crack the pop charts since big band died. A #1 jazz album, with a pop hit and a Grammy nomination. The standout is the title track, written by maynard. "Mr. Mellow", with george benson on guitar, is also transcendent. Plus a fun Star Trek confluence, with a recording of the classic theme arranged by chattaway, who wrote music for all four Trek sequels.
BIG BOP NOUVEAU (1990)
After all the hoopla, maynard returned to a big band format. He'd made his mark, now he just made music he loved. This album would give that band a name. No clunkers, no standouts (except perhaps the hits medley), just a swinging sonic shower.
DREAM SET LIST
Chameleon
Conquistador
La Fiesta
M.F. Carnival
Primal Scream
'Round Midnight
Star Trek
Om Sai Ram
Give It One
The Way We Were
Fire and Rain
Mr. Mellow
The Serpent
It's My Time
Symphony no. 2 in C - Titans
Gonna Fly Now
Ole'
Superbone Meets the Bad Man
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Gospel John
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk42EEyAGSw