Date: August 25, 2006
Written By: Roxana Hadadi
Maynard Ferguson, the powerhouse trumpeter and bandleader who helped carry the big-band torch into the new millenium and was known to pop-culture buffs for his version of "Gonna Fly Now," Bill Conti's Rocky theme, died Wednesday of kidney failure. He was 78.
An exciting performer who toured nonstop and garnered a large following of student musicians through his frequent high-school performances, Ferguson had just returned home to California after several sold-out concerts in July at the Blue Note in New York City. Ferguson had also recently completed recording a new album at Bennett Studios in Englewood, N.J.
Born May 4, 1928 in Montreal, Ferguson started his jazz career at the young age of 13 as a member of the Canadian Broadcasting Company Orchestra. While only a young adult, Ferguson played with greats like Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie before leading his own band—at the age of 17. He then went on to record over 60 albums and receive a Grammy nomination for "Gonna Fly Now." Last year Ferguson was awarded the "Order of Canada," Canada’s highest civilian honor.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Maynard Ferguson Music Scholarship Fund at the University of Missouri, St. Louis. A memorial concert is also planned to take place in St. Louis, and Ferguson’s last work will be released later this year.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Russian Sundays at the Y: From Moscow to NY on a Magical Jazz Trumpet
Sun Sep 10 2006 4:00 pm
Lovers of Russian culture in the New York area have a new home—Russian Sundays at the 92nd Street Y. Held in the Y’s intimate Weill Art Gallery, the series offers an ideal setting for enjoying Russian and Russian-Jewish culture in a relaxing atmosphere, with time to mingle and drink tea around a traditional samovar. The series opens with renowned jazz musician and storyteller Valeri Ponomarev, who recalls how he learned to play forbidden music behind the Iron Curtain and how he made it from Moscow to Art Blakey and his legendary Jazz Messengers. Ponomarev also performs with his ensemble, the Hard-Bop Quintet. All programs are conducted in English.
Contact Information: 212-415-5500, www.92y.org
Brought to you by: 92nd Street Y
92nd Street Y
1395 Lexington Ave.
New York, NY
Lovers of Russian culture in the New York area have a new home—Russian Sundays at the 92nd Street Y. Held in the Y’s intimate Weill Art Gallery, the series offers an ideal setting for enjoying Russian and Russian-Jewish culture in a relaxing atmosphere, with time to mingle and drink tea around a traditional samovar. The series opens with renowned jazz musician and storyteller Valeri Ponomarev, who recalls how he learned to play forbidden music behind the Iron Curtain and how he made it from Moscow to Art Blakey and his legendary Jazz Messengers. Ponomarev also performs with his ensemble, the Hard-Bop Quintet. All programs are conducted in English.
Contact Information: 212-415-5500, www.92y.org
Brought to you by: 92nd Street Y
92nd Street Y
1395 Lexington Ave.
New York, NY