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Date Posted: 09:15:59 08/25/06 Fri
Author Host/IP: adsl-068-157-198-127.sip.tys.bellsouth.net/68.157.198.127
In reply to:
Washington Post
's message, "Sadly, World's Greatest high note jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson dies at age 78" on 09:04:22 08/25/06 Fri
LEGENDARY MUSICIAN MAYNARD FERGUSON DIES
Posted by Jeff Helgesen @rec.music.makers.trumpet:
"
"Grammy Nominated Trumpeter Known for "Gonna Fly Now"
Theme To Movie "ROCKY" was 78
Ojai, CA (August 24, 2006) - Walter "Maynard" Ferguson, one of the most
influential musicians and band leaders in the history of Jazz, passed
away August 23rd at 9:00 pm Pacific Time at Community Memorial Hospital
in Ventura, California. He was 78 years old. His death was the result
of kidney and liver failure brought on by an abdominal infection. Mr.
Ferguson's four daughters, Kim, Lisa, Corby, and Wilder were at his
side when he passed away after this brief illness. He spoke by phone
with his friend and manager Steve Schankman from St. Louis, longtime
tour manager Ed Sargent, and friend, and fellow trumpeter Arturo
Sandoval.
Mr. Ferguson had recently returned home to California from New York
after several sold out performances in July at the famed Blue Note Club
plus. During this time, Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau band also
recorded a new album at Bennett Studios in Englewood, New Jersey.
Maynard Ferguson, born May 4th 1928 in Montreal, started his career at
the age of 13 when he performed as a featured soloist with the Canadian
Broadcasting Company Orchestra. He played with some of the great Big
Band Leaders of the 1940's including Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Dizzy
Gillespie, Charlie Barnett, Jimmy Dorsey and Stan Kenton. In 1945, at
age 17, Ferguson became the leader of his own Big Band. The 78-year old
musical phenomenon went on to record more than 60 albums, receiving
numerous honors and awards including the GRAMMY® nomination for "Gonna
Fly Now." In 2005, Ferguson was awarded Canada's highest civilian
honor, the "Order of Canada" from the Right Honorable Governor General
Adrienne Clarkson. In addition to those accolades, Ferguson has been
the recipient of DownBeat Magazine's prestigious "DownBeat" Award.
"The Boss," as Ferguson is known, has been performing for packed houses
for decades. His recent DVD release, "Live at The Top," captures one of
his most memorable performances, a concert held at the Plaza Hotel in
Rochester New York in 1975, with Ferguson performing alongside fellow
music pioneers Stan Mark, Ernie Garside and Bruce Johnston. Most
recently, Ferguson and Big Bop Nouveau Band had been touring the United
States. He was preparing for a Fall Tour beginning mid-September in
Tokyo, Japan. He had also been invited to play for the King of
Thailand's 80th birthday in January.
Mr. Ferguson's body will be cremated in his hometown of Ojai,
California. Memorial contributions can be made to the Maynard Ferguson
Music Scholarship Fund at University of Missouri - St. Louis, which was
established by Steve Schankman at Maynard's 75th birthday celebration.
Mr. Schankman and the Ferguson family are planning a memorial concert
to take place in St. Louis which will feature many of the band's alumni
as and friends who Mr. Ferguson performed with during his more than
60-year musical career.
Mr. Ferguson's latest, and last, recording will be released later this
year as a legacy to the life of Maynard Ferguson.
MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Steven F. Schankman will be available for interview August 24th. Please
contact Cindy Tangaro at (314) 721-9090 ext. 203 to book a time.
For more information or to request images of Maynard Ferguson, please
contact the same number or email ctang...@contemporaryproductions.com ""
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Re: Sadly, World's Greatest high note jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson dies at age 78