Live! In Concert

Maynard Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau Band

May 11, 2005 7:30PM
Main Gym
Boylan Catholic High School
4000 St Francis Drive, Rockford IL 61103

Tickets: Floor Seating $25; Bleacher $20

Information: Boylan Main Office: (815) 877- 0531

(Proceeds to update the lighting and
sound systems in the school auditorium.)

Maynard Ferguson, now in his fifth decade as a Jazz legend, internationally renowned big band leader, and one of the world’s greatest trumpet and brass instrument players, is also known for his recording of Gonna Fly Now, the theme from the motion picture Rocky. The release earned him Pop fame with a 1978 Grammy nomination, a Top Ten single, and a gold album.Ferguson’s Band alumni include Chuck Mangione, Chick Correa, and Peter Erskine.

Ferguson gained early experience playing with such Big Band greats as Jimmy Dorsey, Boyd Rayburn, Charlie Barnett and the Stan Kenton Orchestra, where his technique and phenomenal upper register catapulted him to stardom. Ferguson worked as a studio musician on numerous film soundtracks, including The Ten Commandments. In 1956 he put together the “Birdland Dream Band” for an all-star engagement at the famous New York jazz club, and recorded two albums with the group.

With his Big Bop Nouveau Band, Ferguson has redefined big band jazz while many other bands only recreate music of bygone eras. The Band draws upon bebop, straight-ahead jazz, funk, swing, classical and contemporary music to create a fresh sound within the classic big band form. An instrument designer, record producer, composer, educator/clinician, symphonic guest artist and film soundtrack artist, this three-time Grammy nominee’s talents extend far beyond “trumpet player.”

Ferguson formed his “little big band”, Big Bop Nouveau, in the late ’80’s. He produces his own albums with Footpath Cafe and Concord Records. His Concord debut, appropriately titled These Cats Can Swing, featured Ferguson with Big Bop Nouveau, a band chock full of tomorrow’s jazz stars.

Touring almost nine months a year, Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau Band perform at festivals, concert halls, jazz clubs and universities around the globe. A potent force in the world of music education, Maynard always makes time in his rigorous schedule to personally encourage young musicians.