[Dixielandjazz] Maynard Ferguson at Schools

[Steve barbone]

Bob Romans at cellblk7 at comcast.net wrote:

> "...an overweight, antique trumpet player"...Simple...It's MAYNARD FERGUSON
> FER Gawd's sake! Not just another name in music/jazz!
> He's THE MAN!!! He came to Lodi in 1976 for a band fundraiser for Tokay High
> School. I'm pretty sure he gave a break in dollars, but, the fact
> remains...MIGAWD what a band! Stan Mark on lead trumpet, Bobby Militello on
> bari sax and flute to name just a couple of the musicians.
> If I went to any of the high schools in our area and tried to book ANY local
> band for a concert, the stares I would get would be incredulous! Sadly!
> He will be at Millbrae HS, Millbrae, Ca., Feb.4...my bet is he would draw a
> bigger crowd than Wynton...

Yep, I agree except that it's WYNTON MARSALIS who is THE MAN on Trumpet in
jazz these days, not Maynard. I'm betting Wynton would out draw any of us on
the outside if he chose to tour LCJB the way Maynard does his band.

Either way, they are both great trumpeters, great jazz musicians and great
at getting the music to the young people. Each in his own way.

Cheers,
Steve

PS. Among our upcoming high school concerts is one booked for May 12, 2006
that if last year's is any indicator, will draw 1000 or so people including
the music department and jazz band kids from area schools. Sponsored by an
independent arts fund set up 50 years ago for cultural activities. Their
very first event years ago was a presentation by Dr. Martin Luther King.
Maynard has appeared there also and drew about the same number we did.