quote[Walter "Maynard" Ferguson, one of the most influential musicians and band leaders in the history of Jazz, passed away August 23rd at 8:00 pm Pacific Time at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, California. He was 78 years old. His death was the result of kidney and liver failure brought on by an abdominal infection. Mr. Ferguson's four daughters, Kim, Lisa, Corby, Wilder and other family members were at his side when he passed away after this brief illness. He spoke by phone with his friend and manager Steve Schankman from St. Louis, longtime tour manager Ed Sargent, and friend, and fellow trumpeter Arturo Sandoval.]
Being a trumpet player, I idolized this guy (along with Doc Severson) as a kid. I got to see a show of his when I was younger, and the show was pure electricity.
He also was famous for not knowing how to actually read sheet music. I'm not sure if this is true or not, but he played up on the rumor during the concert I attended. He made a statement about how ridiculous it was to say such a thing, then he played a little bit before, finally, another band member walked over to his music stand, shook his head, and turned the music sheet upside down.
He will be sorely missed.
-P
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