Search - Maynard Ferguson :: Dancing Sessions

More exciting than your average dance gig

James A. Vedda | Alexandria, VA USA | 10/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When this music was recorded (1959-60), the popular big bands routinely performed for both concert and dance audiences. This collection showcases perhaps the most exciting dance book of any big band of that era. The 26 tracks include the complete albums "Maynard Ferguson Plays Jazz for Dancing" and "Let's Face the Music and Dance" plus three bonus tracks, including an alternate take and two other tunes from the 1959 recording sessions. One of these is the only vocal on the CD, "Let's Fall in Love." Surprisingly, the vocalist is not identified, but it sounds like Chris Connor, who was working with Maynard around that time.

The tracks are short, ranging from about 2:30 to 4:00 each, so there are no extended improvised solos. But don't let that dissuade you from getting this CD for your jazz listening pleasure. All the things that made Maynard our hero are on display. Examples abound of his Herculean ability across the full range of the trumpet and his versatility on other instruments in the brass family. Just a couple of highlights: "Where's Teddy?" is a medium-tempo blues that will amuse and amaze you, and "Hey There" is one of the best ballad features Maynard ever recorded. (Note to jazz trumpet aficionados: the 1959 sessions include Bill Chase and Don Ellis in the trumpet section.)

Overall, you've got to love what the arrangers have done with some great old standards. It would have been nice if the arrangers had been identified in the liner notes. Top writers Willie Maiden, Slide Hampton, and Don Sebesky are playing on these sessions, so you can be sure their work is here. Regardless of who wrote the charts, this is 79 minutes of great stuff."

Long Overdue Addition to the MF Catalog

Douglas R. Miner | 10/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This disc is, simply put, essential listening for anyone interested in Maynard's recorded work for Roulette. Several years ago, when I came to the realization that I would never be able to shell out the hundreds of dollars for a used copy of the out-of-print Mosaic Roulette collection, I began collecting the individual LPs for transfer to digital audio and CD. Alas, I was never able to find a clean stereo copy of "Let's Face The Music and Dance", so some of my homemade efforts are in mono. I'm happy to say that this release renders my efforts obsolete. The sound is absolutely superb, and the packaging contains original LP liner notes with new notes by Mel Pearson that include quotes from The Fox himself on his philosophy of trumpet playing and leading a small big band. The package also contains discographical info on session dates and personnel. My one (small) complaint is that the arrangers are not credited. One can only wonder why this has not been issued in the US. Doesn't Blue Note own the Roulette catalog ('Message from Birdland' just came out also)? Hopefully consumer response to this European release will prompt more reissues from MF's Roulette years. MF fans should get this CD quickly before it disappears!"

Maynard Ferguson, The One And Only

H. DeLorme | 03/31/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dancing Sessions was a very personal collection for me. Maynard Plays Jazz For Dancing was my first Maynard Ferguson LP back in 1960 when I was in grade school and learning to play the trumpet. The photo on that LP album was repeated on this CD cover. As a professional photographer who has photographed several of Maynard's concerts, and as a former musician, I miss him dearly and love these tunes as much as any he has ever recorded. This is GREAT, high-register, Maynard stuff! Even though I own the Mosaic collection, I was still happy to see this one come around again.



Thank you, Maynard, for 60-plus years of live concerts and music that will live on forever!"