Maynard Ferguson and His Orchestra

 

Frame For The Blues

Maynard Ferguson and His Orchestra

Recorded on June 8, 1967 at the Canadian Pavilion of Expo 67

CBC International Service STEREO 265

Trumpet - Maynard Ferguson

Trumpets - Bix Bélair, Gilles Laflamme, Réal Mathieu, Marcel Léveque

Trombones - Gérard Vaillancourt, Claude Blouin

Alto Sax - Gerry Danovitch

Tenor Sax - Brian Barley, Nick Ayoub

Baritone Sax - Jean Lebrun

Vibraphone - Yvan Landry

Guitar - Tony Romandini

Piano - Art Maiste

Bass - John Lanza

Drums - Ronny Page

From the back cover: Maynard Ferguson was born in Verdun, Quebec, a suburb of Montreal in 1928. After leading his own band in Canada for a few years in the late forties, he went to the United States where he played in the orchestras of Boyd Raeburn, Jimmy Dorsey, Charlie Barnet. But it was with Stan Kenton and the era of the rather self-conscious 'progressive' jazz that he first came to prominence. Kenton fans applauded wildly his fantastic technique and screaming style on the high notes, so much so that he topped the Downbeat Polls from 1950 - 52. When the Kenton orchestra came to England, thus ending the embargo imposed on exchanges of orchestras between the Old World and the New, Maynard Ferguson became an international star. Since then, the Canadian trumpet virtuoso has matured, and while still retaining the essential qualities of his early style and especially his ability to jump with ease from the low to the high range, his vast technique is now more closely allied to his powerful lyricism and expressive means.

During the latter part of May, 1967, Maynard Ferguson was invited to appear at the Canadian Pavilion at Expo. To celebrate his 'homecoming' a group of musicians, some of whom were personal friends, representing the very best in Canadian jazz talent, was assembled by the CBC Transcription Service, and two memorable albums were recorded.

Take The 'A' Train

Frame For The Blue

At The Sound Of The Trumpet

Round About Midnight

Almost Like Being In Love

Whisper Not

Alfie

Georgia On My Mind

Katimavik