Maynard Ferguson

The One and Only Maynard Ferguson

(Maynard Ferguson Trust)

There truly was only one Maynard Ferguson. While critics sometimes panned his bravura style, fans – and fellow trumpeters – stood in awe of his audacious chops. The One and Only is as good a going-away present as he could have left us, with both the power and the too-often-overlooked taste, musical generosity, and command of a master musician in full view.

The opening “Without A Song” sets the tone for the entire album. The arrangement (by saxophonist Chip McNeill) features Maynard and Serafin Aguilar on trumpet, Jeff Lashway on piano, musical director Stockton Helbing on drums, and the composer on soprano. All are standouts, especially McNeill, but despite the great soloists, it’s the sound of the ensemble that really shines through.

Helbing starts off the following “Besame Mucho” with complex rolls and cymbal accents before yielding to the power of the brass. He holds things together rhythmically, while Maynard and Ferguson alum Wayne Bergeron trade licks.

Ferguson often capitalized on jazz versions of popular tunes, from “Hey Jude” to his hit version of “Gonna Fly Now” from the Rocky movies. Here he tips his hat to Bill Withers with an arrangement of “Ain’t No Sunshine.”

Ferguson also was a master of the ballad, and his flugelhorn playing, especially in his later years, was a thing of beauty. On “Vita Bella” (“Beautiful Life”), he amply demonstrates his vitality and the sheer beauty of his tone. If he had to go, Maynard certainly went out on one of his highest notes.

- Ross Boissoneau