[TPIN] Alas, Maynard...

[lamb95stew at wideopenwest.com]

Let's just start by saying that he's the reason I continue to play trumpet. I
started playing trumpet in 1978. In the spring of '79, I heard I my first Maynard
recording. From the opening strains of "Conquistador" as he played the opening solo
with the guitar, to my first "Dubba D" later in the tune, I was hooked. I heard him
live for the first time two years later. I was familiar by then with several of his
albums, and the band opened with "Give it One" from MF Horn 2. I laughed SO much
with joy that evening. Hearing Stan Mark play "Hey Jude" just a few seats over and
Maynard finishing the romp from the stage is one of my best musical memories.

This is what I think Maynard's true legacy is. How many of us play and love big band
jazz BECAUSE of his energy, musicianship, and playing style? Was he or his band the
quintessential jazz style??? Certainly not, at least not after 1965 or so. He WAS,
though, the reason I was able to get into the more "serious" or "esoteric" musicians
in big band jazz - Kenton, Toshiko, McConnell, Thad Jones, and then later newer
classical musics of Stravinsky, Penderecki, Schwantner, and Ligeti, among others.
Maynard was the stepping stone from which all my musical tastes have so widely
evolved. His name, style, energy, and sound will never leave my memory.

Humbly,

Michael Stewart, DMA
http://www.stewmuse.com/Home.html
http://www.geocities.com/cbc95stew/StewHome.html
The answer is... AIR!