I had the privilege of running sound for Maynard and this band on a few tours in 1984-85. The night I flew in to Detroit to join the tour, I walked down the hallway in the hotel on the way to my room - hadn't met anybody yet - and in room after room I heard saxes, muted trumpets, even drum pads in one room! These guys weren't out living it up, they were practicing. I thought "this ain't rock n' roll!" The next day I met Maynard on the bus. He took my hand - I thought to shake it - but instead he guided my index finger to his upper lip. He asked "Do you feel that?" It was a callous. I said yes, and he said, "If I blow too hard because I can't hear myself and split my lip, the show's over. Please Ken, make sure my monitor is nice and hot." Maynard was such a gentleman.
I saw Maynard live three times: Montreal 1976, Cleveland 1996 and LA 2002. Each time a treat. After he passed there was a memorial event called "Stratospheric" where a great many former band members performed together near L.A.X. airport. I learned of this event one week AFTER it happened... and I was one city block away at work while it took place.🤯 .....Oh man what I would have given to hear those guys play and to pay my respects!😑
Hi Ben! Well, you just missed me. I was out with Maynard from 1981-1985, and then again in 2006 for a week of shows at The BlueNote in NY and his final album "The One and Only." I didn't get the call for "Stratospheric" but Slide Hampton was there! Wish I could have seen it as well. A pity we missed it!
My dad brought the tape back from the states in the 80’s. We’d never heard of MF ( no internet back then) and we were hooked. Loved this track, bebop buffet and fire shaker. Sadly the 3 times he came to the UK he played really bad (Roger Ingram was ridiculous though) AND was grumpy when we asked for his autograph BUT we loved him all the same. He shaped my professional playing career, miss you Boss.
Well, if he was grumpy and bad…you caught him on one of the most rare of all occasions as he was one of the most phenomenal performers and joyous people I’ve ever known. That being said, Boss would be the first to remind everyone that “we’re all human.” So even Maynard Ferguson can be allowed an off day🙏❤️ So glad that he and this music meant so much to you and your dad. It was all glorious indeed and still holds up!
I was there for this performance at with my band jock friends and my Dad from John Glenn High School in Norwalk, California. I remember buying a Maynard shirt and wearing it when I performed and toured Europe in 1985. My friends still talk about this awesome night!
How cool! Yeah, such nights are magic indeed. One of the first times that I saw Maynard live, it had the same effect on me. In fact, I went out to the bus right after the show and looked into the big front window and wondered what ti would be like to live in that thing and work with Boss every night. Turns out that the real miracle was yet to happen as I got to join the band less than one year later! Sometimes life itself is magic! :)
Ok, now I've gotta go hear the studio version to hear Steve's solo there, as well! Also heard Steve do it live with pretty much the exact same personnel in '83.
This tour is one of the reasons that I still play. Maynard and the band did so much for budding instrumentalists and their dreams. I love that his tour was based around high schools so often. I remember watching with my mouth open in awe all night. Then my parents driving me home in a blizzard in Blackfoot, ID. Thanks for always remembering the little people.
Nathan: Thanks so much for the kind words my friend! Yep, Maynard was all about getting this music and the high-level super-charged on stage experience to young students. Along with truly enjoying playing with and for his colleagues and peers, I think Boss's true joy was being around young music students and sharing his passion for life through performing. It was very infectious and taught all of us fortunate enough to have been part of his family some precious lifelong lessons.
+Kelly Goerbig Absolutely! When I get 'em....up to TH-cam they go! I will carve another tune or two out of this concert at some point and post them. Stay tuned!
Live from San Fransisco was the first album that properly got me into MF and now i listen to practically all of his albums. Your arrangement of portugese love at the playboy jazz festival is absoutely amazing steve !! for an aspiring 16yr old trumpet player,maynard is some of best inspiration i could have. Thanks so much for posting all the maynard videos steve !! I still remember how long it took me to decipher what maynard was saying at the end of this particular song , "steve wiest, comproser tombone !!"
Yep. That was his M.O. for sure. Even when he wasn’t quite feeling 100%, his air efficiency was such that he would get stronger as the night went on. SUCH an inspiration!
Smokin Steve! Great arrangement. I've always said that this oughta be included on the M/F Hit Medley too. Brings back memories. The early Eighties don't seem so long ago to me. But like Maynard used to say at his 'Stratospheric Tribute', ''I see that we've all dyed our hair white''. lol!
+Jerusalem-Ulf-U.S.A. Thank you so much! it is such a joy to have this recorded. Those were some amazing times, and they made literally EVERYTHING that I have now possible. Maynard is STILL giving me gifts.
Thanks so much Doug! You must be using that Bob Lowden arrangement that came out right after the album release. At some point in the near future, I am going to publish my own updated arrangement of the tune as I always felt the current published transcription lacking a synth part was missing too many of the important elements. Watch my website (steve-wiest.com/) and I will announce when that is available. In the meantime, good luck with the performance and have fun!
Ha! Thanks. I'm still waiting for that to come back into style. With the popularity of the character Loki in the Thor movies, I had hope. ...but, alas.
Saw Maynard on this tour. It was happening then. Man! I loved those tour shirts. Wish mine still was in decent shape. "Steve Wiest! Composer/trombonist!
Gary Seven! One of my favorite Star Trek episodes BTW. Thanks for the kind words. Along with being in heaven performing with Maynard and the Cats every day, having created one of the tour shirts was a surreal adventure. So cool that you had one! Live long and groove!
Gary Seven! One of my favorite Star Trek episodes BTW. Thanks for the kind words. Along with being in heaven performing with Maynard and the Cats every day, having created one of the tour shirts was a surreal adventure. So cool that you had one! Live long and groove!
Steve Wiest Thanks. Yes, one of my favorite episodes too. I liked it so much I wondered what a theme song for it might have been like, had it been made into a series. So, I wrote two versions. Used local people in the Dallas area for my recording of them. Tried to make it sound like the era and recording styles. Don't think TH-cam allows posting links but if you type in Assignment: Earth theme one (and two) you'll find them. I didn't know you designed that tour shirt. Cool! We've always said that was our favorite Maynard shirt. I wore that thing out. Wore it in jazz band in high school when we'd go recruit at the junior highs. We pretended we were you guys. Ha. On another note, I teach band in the area and we always said, 'let's go catch a UNT jazz concert. Steve Wiest is here doing it."...."yeah,...you're right. Let's do that some time. Makes me sick that we messed around and never heard the groups while you were here. As "Chicago" said, 'you don't know what you've got until it's gone.'
Hi Cary. Thanks so much. Seeing this video brings back some seriously wonderful memories. What an education I was blessed to receive from such a Master. Amazing!
You know Steve I think his mouthpiece was not the right fit too. You know that the mouthpiece is everything. But ha, I could be wrong. Love this song you wrote !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks so much Richard! It was the first piece that I wrote for Maynard that got on an album. What a thrill! As far as Maynard's mouthpiece, he could play ANYTHING. It was just an offf night. But WOW! Such an "off night" we'd ALL be so fortunate to have! :)
I think most of us wish we had "off' days as good as Maynard's. You always had great stage presence and played your tail off. Where can I order one of those t-shirts, say in an XL?!!!!!
Just checked Vinyl Hampdin out....WOW man. I love your horn parts....so much like a modernized version of Chicago/BS&T and yet a lot like the originals. Can't wait for more.
Just saw the One O'clock posted this and wanted to hear it again. Who is this bass player here? I remember seeing this band at Northern Il. U. and being really impressed everyone, especially Ray and bass player. He did a solo over a loop. First time I had ever seen that. Great tune Steve!
You are most welcome! It is a joy for me that moments like this were preserved and can now be so easily shared. How cool is this whole 21st Century thing? :)
Good point! In jazz, the idea is to ALWAYS perform things differently in concert than it was on the record. Boss made this BIG fun for everyone concerned.
+Jerusalem-Ulf-U.S.A. Thanks! I never heard of James. At first glance, it looked like Joey Pero, but I discovered he was only three years old at the time. :)
I had the privilege of running sound for Maynard and this band on a few tours in 1984-85. The night I flew in to Detroit to join the tour, I walked down the hallway in the hotel on the way to my room - hadn't met anybody yet - and in room after room I heard saxes, muted trumpets, even drum pads in one room! These guys weren't out living it up, they were practicing. I thought "this ain't rock n' roll!" The next day I met Maynard on the bus. He took my hand - I thought to shake it - but instead he guided my index finger to his upper lip. He asked "Do you feel that?" It was a callous. I said yes, and he said, "If I blow too hard because I can't hear myself and split my lip, the show's over. Please Ken, make sure my monitor is nice and hot." Maynard was such a gentleman.
He was indeed! The ultimate Mensch🙏❤️
I saw Maynard live three times: Montreal 1976, Cleveland 1996 and LA 2002. Each time a treat. After he passed there was a memorial event called "Stratospheric" where a great many former band members performed together near L.A.X. airport. I learned of this event one week AFTER it happened... and I was one city block away at work while it took place.🤯
.....Oh man what I would have given to hear those guys play and to pay my respects!😑
Hi Ben! Well, you just missed me. I was out with Maynard from 1981-1985, and then again in 2006 for a week of shows at The BlueNote in NY and his final album "The One and Only." I didn't get the call for "Stratospheric" but Slide Hampton was there! Wish I could have seen it as well. A pity we missed it!
My dad brought the tape back from the states in the 80’s. We’d never heard of MF ( no internet back then) and we were hooked. Loved this track, bebop buffet and fire shaker.
Sadly the 3 times he came to the UK he played really bad (Roger Ingram was ridiculous though) AND was grumpy when we asked for his autograph BUT we loved him all the same.
He shaped my professional playing career, miss you Boss.
Well, if he was grumpy and bad…you caught him on one of the most rare of all occasions as he was one of the most phenomenal performers and joyous people I’ve ever known. That being said, Boss would be the first to remind everyone that “we’re all human.” So even Maynard Ferguson can be allowed an off day🙏❤️ So glad that he and this music meant so much to you and your dad. It was all glorious indeed and still holds up!
@@SteveWiest21stCentury thanks for the kind reply Steve. Live from San Fransisco still sounds fresh today at it did all those years ago.
I was there for this performance at with my band jock friends and my Dad from John Glenn High School in Norwalk, California. I remember buying a Maynard shirt and wearing it when I performed and toured Europe in 1985. My friends still talk about this awesome night!
How cool! Yeah, such nights are magic indeed. One of the first times that I saw Maynard live, it had the same effect on me. In fact, I went out to the bus right after the show and looked into the big front window and wondered what ti would be like to live in that thing and work with Boss every night. Turns out that the real miracle was yet to happen as I got to join the band less than one year later! Sometimes life itself is magic! :)
Ok, now I've gotta go hear the studio version to hear Steve's solo there, as well! Also heard Steve do it live with pretty much the exact same personnel in '83.
DYNOMITE!! SOUTH 21ST SHUFFLE OH YEAH!
This tour is one of the reasons that I still play. Maynard and the band did so much for budding instrumentalists and their dreams. I love that his tour was based around high schools so often. I remember watching with my mouth open in awe all night. Then my parents driving me home in a blizzard in Blackfoot, ID. Thanks for always remembering the little people.
Nathan: Thanks so much for the kind words my friend! Yep, Maynard was all about getting this music and the high-level super-charged on stage experience to young students. Along with truly enjoying playing with and for his colleagues and peers, I think Boss's true joy was being around young music students and sharing his passion for life through performing. It was very infectious and taught all of us fortunate enough to have been part of his family some precious lifelong lessons.
We need more!
+Kelly Goerbig Absolutely! When I get 'em....up to TH-cam they go! I will carve another tune or two out of this concert at some point and post them. Stay tuned!
Live from San Fransisco was the first album that properly got me into MF and now i listen to practically all of his albums. Your arrangement of portugese love at the playboy jazz festival is absoutely amazing steve !! for an aspiring 16yr old trumpet player,maynard is some of best inspiration i could have. Thanks so much for posting all the maynard videos steve !!
I still remember how long it took me to decipher what maynard was saying at the end of this particular song , "steve wiest, comproser tombone !!"
Steve, I watched this whole concert and MF got stronger as it went on
Yep. That was his M.O. for sure. Even when he wasn’t quite feeling 100%, his air efficiency was such that he would get stronger as the night went on. SUCH an inspiration!
Smokin Steve! Great arrangement. I've always said that this oughta be included on the M/F Hit Medley too.
Brings back memories. The early Eighties don't seem so long ago to me. But like Maynard used to say at his 'Stratospheric Tribute',
''I see that we've all dyed our hair white''. lol!
Ha! Just saw this comment. Love it🤠 And thanks so much Jorge🙏❤️
Yeah man! I remember my trumpet teacher, Fred Wichmann talking about this concert!
+Bradley Saunders Wow! How cool. It sure was fun, I can tell you that :)
Can't Thank You Enough for Posting Steve !! Thanks to Bob Wackerman as well !! Very great footage, great solo as usual !!
+Jerusalem-Ulf-U.S.A. Thank you so much! it is such a joy to have this recorded. Those were some amazing times, and they made literally EVERYTHING that I have now possible. Maynard is STILL giving me gifts.
One of my favorite tunes, great job Steve! We're doing this song in my band and I have lead trombone, wish me luck!
Thanks so much Doug! You must be using that Bob Lowden arrangement that came out right after the album release. At some point in the near future, I am going to publish my own updated arrangement of the tune as I always felt the current published transcription lacking a synth part was missing too many of the important elements. Watch my website (steve-wiest.com/) and I will announce when that is available. In the meantime, good luck with the performance and have fun!
Also....much respect for your mullet man...had one just like it in 1984!
Ha! Thanks. I'm still waiting for that to come back into style. With the popularity of the character Loki in the Thor movies, I had hope. ...but, alas.
Saw Maynard on this tour. It was happening then. Man! I loved those tour shirts. Wish mine still was in decent shape. "Steve Wiest! Composer/trombonist!
Gary Seven! One of my favorite Star Trek episodes BTW.
Thanks for the kind words. Along with being in heaven performing with Maynard and the Cats every day, having created one of the tour shirts was a surreal adventure. So cool that you had one!
Live long and groove!
Gary Seven! One of my favorite Star Trek episodes BTW.
Thanks for the kind words. Along with being in heaven performing with Maynard and the Cats every day, having created one of the tour shirts was a surreal adventure. So cool that you had one!
Live long and groove!
Steve Wiest Thanks. Yes, one of my favorite episodes too. I liked it so much I wondered what a theme song for it might have been like, had it been made into a series.
So, I wrote two versions. Used local people in the Dallas area for my recording of them. Tried to make it sound like the era and recording styles. Don't think TH-cam allows posting links but if you type in Assignment: Earth theme one (and two) you'll find them.
I didn't know you designed that tour shirt. Cool! We've always said that was our favorite Maynard shirt. I wore that thing out. Wore it in jazz band in high school when we'd go recruit at the junior highs. We pretended we were you guys. Ha.
On another note, I teach band in the area and we always said, 'let's go catch a UNT jazz concert. Steve Wiest is here doing it."...."yeah,...you're right. Let's do that some time. Makes me sick that we messed around and never heard the groups while you were here. As "Chicago" said, 'you don't know what you've got until it's gone.'
+assignmentearth Thanks my friend! I will indeed go check out your theme songs. How cool!
I had only heard the Live from San Francisco version up until now. This is another awesome performance. As always, you (and Maynard) killed it.
Hi Cary. Thanks so much. Seeing this video brings back some seriously wonderful memories. What an education I was blessed to receive from such a Master. Amazing!
You know Steve I think his mouthpiece was not the right fit too. You know that the mouthpiece is everything. But ha, I could be wrong. Love this song you wrote !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks so much Richard! It was the first piece that I wrote for Maynard that got on an album. What a thrill! As far as Maynard's mouthpiece, he could play ANYTHING. It was just an offf night. But WOW! Such an "off night" we'd ALL be so fortunate to have! :)
I think most of us wish we had "off' days as good as Maynard's. You always had great stage presence and played your tail off. Where can I order one of those t-shirts, say in
an XL?!!!!!
+Lance Skinner I WISH I had one of those shirts Lance. But alas... And yes, Maynard's "off nights" were pretty damn good by mortal standards :)
I just read your homage here, very cool thanks for sharing, always admire your playing on this recording, like I mention on FB one of my favorites.
+Luis Ortiz Thanks so much Luis!
Keep em' coming Steve....love you man!
Thanks man! Check out my new stuff with the group Vinyl Hampdin. www.vinylhampdin.com/
Just checked Vinyl Hampdin out....WOW man. I love your horn parts....so much like a modernized version of Chicago/BS&T and yet a lot like the originals. Can't wait for more.
Just saw the One O'clock posted this and wanted to hear it again. Who is this bass player here? I remember seeing this band at Northern Il. U. and being really impressed everyone, especially Ray and bass player. He did a solo over a loop. First time I had ever seen that. Great tune Steve!
Thanks for posting this!
You are most welcome! It is a joy for me that moments like this were preserved and can now be so easily shared. How cool is this whole 21st Century thing? :)
Great chart, great solos! Nice to hear the live versions and what was done to make them different from the studio version. Keep'em comin'!
Good point! In jazz, the idea is to ALWAYS perform things differently in concert than it was on the record. Boss made this BIG fun for everyone concerned.
Great “
Who are the trumpet players? I think it's Alan Wise on the left, but I have no idea who the other two are.
+Tim Wolf Trumpets: Alan Wise, Hoby Freeman, James St. Charles
+Jerusalem-Ulf-U.S.A. Thanks! I never heard of James. At first glance, it looked like Joey Pero, but I discovered he was only three years old at the time. :)
Who is the drummer? I think Gregg Bissonette was in ,after that.
That was the great Ray Brinker.