The Maynard Ferguson Discography: The 1940s
Ferguson led a number of bands as a teenager in Canada, although those bands made no commercial recordings and no transcriptions of CBC remote broadcasts, if they exist at all, have ever been released. Stan Kenton saw Ferguson in Montreal in late 1947 and made Ferguson an offer to join the Kenton band if Ferguson ever came to the US (Lee 1997, 19).
Ferguson finally made the move in in 1948, only to discover that Kenton was on hiatus for the year. Ferguson ended up joining Boyd Raeburn's progressive (but unsuccessful) band and then Jimmy Dorsey's organization. The only recordings from that period are a handful of radio transcriptions with the Dorsey band.
In 1949, Ferguson joined a number of other unemployed Kenton sidemen in Charlie Barnet's bop-influenced band, which made Ferguson's first commercial recordings. Among that set was a wild feature arrangement for Ferguson of Jerome Kern's All the Things You Are that was suppressed by Kern's estate.
Jimmy Dorsey
February through May, 1949: Cafe Rouge, Hotel Staler, New York, NY
Radio broadcast transcriptions. Formative Years CD lists Diz and Body as 28 March. Harkins (1976, 4) lists other songs, but gives date range of February through May, so dates and location are uncertain. Claire Hogan is vocalist on some cuts.
- Diz Does Everything
- Big Butter and Egg Man
- Always True To You In My Fashion
- Let's Fall In Love
- See Saw
- I Can't Get Started
- Nevertheless
- This Can't Be Love
- Melange
- Alto-tude
- McGee's Closet
- Body and Soul
- A Little Bird Told Me
- Sing a Song of Sixpence
Personnel
- Charlie Teagarden (Trumpet)
- Dick Hoffman (Trumpet)
- Dick Murphy (Trumpet)
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet)
- Herd Windfield (Trombone)
- Al Lorraine (Trombone)
- Dick Bellerose (Trombone)
- James Clifford (Alto Saxophone)
- Gene Bockey (Alto Saxophone)
- Frank Maynes (Tenor Saxophone)
- Phil Cenicola (Tenor Saxophone)
- Mimi Laroca (Baritone Saxophone)
- Al Washlon (Piano)
- Nappy Lamare (Guitar)
- Bill Lolatte (Bass)
- Ray Baudoc (Drums)
Charlie Barnet
16 March 1949: New York, NY
Harkins (1976, 4) lists Ferguson in the section but Pierre-Marie does not.
jazzdiscogcorner.pagesperso-orange.fr
- Easy Living (arr. Pete Rugolo) [master 3727 2D1]
- Charlie's Other Aunt (arr. Manny Albam) [master 3728-1D1]
- Overtime (Three Bop) (arr. Pete Rugolo) [master 3729-1D1]
Personnel
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet)
- Rolf Ericson (Trumpet)
- Doc Severinson (Trumpet)
- John Howell (Trumpet)
- Lamar Wright (Trumpet)
- Obie Massingill (Trombone)
- Dick Kenney (Trombone)
- Ken Martlock (Trombone)
- Vinnie Dean (Alto Saxophone)
- Art Raboy (Alto Saxophone)
- Dave Mathews (Tenor Saxophone)
- Dick Hafer (Tenor Saxophone)
- Kurt Bloom (Tenor Saxophone)
- Danny Bank (Baritone Saxophone)
- Claude Williamson (Piano)
- Eddie Safranski (Bass)
- Cliff Leeman (Drums)
- Ivar Jameniz (Conga)
Charlie Barnet
16 March 1949: New York, NY
Harkins (1976, 4) lists Ferguson in the section but Pierre-Marie does not.
jazzdiscogcorner.pagesperso-orange.fr
- O'Henry (arr. Gil Fuller) [master 3730-1D6]
- Portrait of Edward Kennedy Ellington, Part 1 (arr. Dave Mathews) [master 3731-1D1]
- Portrait of Edward Kennedy Ellington, Part 2 (arr. Dave Mathews) [master 3732-1D1]
- Rhapsody in Blue, Part 1 (arr. Johnny Richards) [master 3733]
- Rhapsody in Blue, Part 2 (arr. Johnny Richards) [master 3734]
Personnel
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet)
- Rolf Ericson (Trumpet)
- Doc Severinson (Trumpet)
- John Howell (Trumpet)
- Lamar Wright (Trumpet)
- Obie Massingill (Trombone)
- Dick Kenney (Trombone)
- Ken Martlock (Trombone)
- Vinnie Dean (Alto Saxophone)
- Art Raboy (Alto Saxophone)
- Dave Mathews (Tenor Saxophone)
- Dick Hafer (Tenor Saxophone)
- Kurt Bloom (Tenor Saxophone)
- Danny Bank (Baritone Saxophone)
- Claude Williamson (Piano)
- Eddie Safranski (Bass)
- Cliff Leeman (Drums)
- Ivar Jameniz (Conga)
Charlie Barnet
2-3 April 1949: New York, NY
(Harkins 1976, 4)
- Bebop Spoken Here (arr. Pete Rugolo) [master 3772-3D]
- Dave Lambert (Vocals)
- Buddy Stewart (Vocals)
- Charlie Barnet (Alto Saxophone)
- Eddie Safranski (Bass)
- Capitol 57-640
- Capitol 21258
- Capitol CDP 7243 8 21258 2 2
- Gloomy Sunday (arr. Pete Rugolo) [master 3773-3D]
Personnel
- Rolf Ericson (Trumpet)
- Doc Severinson (Trumpet)
- Ray Wetzel (Trumpet)
- John Howell (Trumpet)
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet)
- Obie Massingill (Trombone)
- Dick Kenney (Trombone)
- Bob Burgess (Trombone)
- Ken Martlock (Bass Trombone)
- Vinnie Dean (Alto Saxophone)
- Ruben Leon (Alto Saxophone)
- Dick Hafer (Tenor Saxophone)
- Kurt Bloom (Tenor Saxophone)
- Danny Bank (Baritone Saxophone)
- Claude Williamson (Piano)
- Eddie Safranski (Bass)
- Cliff Leeman (Drums)
- Carlos Vydol (Conga)
Charlie Barnet
Sometime in 1949: New York, NY
Uncertain personnel (Harkins 1976, 4)
- Fantasia
- Reflections
- Blue Skies
- Tango
- Zamboanga
- Lover Come Back To Me (Sigmund Romberg; Oscar Hammerstein II)
Personnel
- Rolf Ericson (Trumpet)
- Doc Severinson (Trumpet)
- Ray Wetzel (Trumpet)
- John Howell (Trumpet)
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet)
- Obie Massingill (Trombone)
- Dick Kenney (Trombone)
- Bob Burgess (Trombone)
- Ken Martlock (Bass Trombone)
- Vinnie Dean (Alto Saxophone)
- Ruben Leon (Alto Saxophone)
- Dick Hafer (Tenor Saxophone)
- Kurt Bloom (Tenor Saxophone)
- Danny Bank (Baritone Saxophone)
- Claude Williamson (Piano)
- Eddie Safranski (Bass)
- Cliff Leeman (Drums)
- Carlos Vydol (Conga)
Charlie Barnet
22 June 1949: Atlantic City, NJ
Radio broadcast (Harkins 1976, 5)
- Lemon Drop
- Portrait of Edward Kennedy Ellington (arr. Dave Mathews)
- Bebop Spoken Here (arr. Pete Rugolo)
- All the Things You Are (arr. Dennis Farnon)
Personnel
- Rolf Ericson (Trumpet)
- Doc Severinson (Trumpet)
- Ray Wetzel (Trumpet)
- John Howell (Trumpet)
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet)
- Obie Massingill (Trombone)
- Dick Kenney (Trombone)
- Bob Burgess (Trombone)
- Vinnie Dean (Alto Saxophone)
- Ruben Leon (Alto Saxophone)
- Dick Hafer (Tenor Saxophone)
- Kurt Bloom (Tenor Saxophone)
- Danny Bank (Baritone Saxophone)
- Claude Williamson (Piano)
- Eddie Safranski (Bass)
- Tiny Kahn (Drums)
- Carlos Vydol (Conga)
Charlie Barnet
29 June 1949: Balboa Beach (CA?)
Radio broadcast (Harkins 1976, 5)
- Lord Nelson
- Lonely Street
- T-Bone for Two
- Raffles
Personnel
- Rolf Ericson (Trumpet)
- Doc Severinson (Trumpet)
- Ray Wetzel (Trumpet)
- John Howell (Trumpet)
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet)
- Obie Massingill (Trombone)
- Dick Kenney (Trombone)
- Bob Burgess (Trombone)
- Vinnie Dean (Alto Saxophone)
- Ruben Leon (Alto Saxophone)
- Dick Hafer (Tenor Saxophone)
- Kurt Bloom (Tenor Saxophone)
- Danny Bank (Baritone Saxophone)
- Claude Williamson (Piano)
- Eddie Safranski (Bass)
- Tiny Kahn (Drums)
- Carlos Vydol (Conga)
Charlie Barnet
30 June 1949: Balboa Beach (CA?)
Radio broadcast (Harkins 1976, 5)
- Bop City (arr. Manny Albam)
- Alternate title: Really?
- Joyce LP 1012
- Ill Wind (arr. Pete Rugolo)
- Bebop Spoken Here (arr. Pete Rugolo)
- Claude Reigns (arr. Manny Albam)
- More Moon
- Combined performance with the Woody Herman band
- Joyce LP 1012
Personnel
- Rolf Ericson (Trumpet)
- Doc Severinson (Trumpet)
- Ray Wetzel (Trumpet)
- John Howell (Trumpet)
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet)
- Obie Massingill (Trombone)
- Dick Kenney (Trombone)
- Kent Larson (Trombone)
- Ken Martlock (Bass Trombone)
- Vinnie Dean (Alto Saxophone)
- Ruben Leon (Alto Saxophone)
- Dick Hafer (Tenor Saxophone)
- Kurt Bloom (Tenor Saxophone)
- Manny Albam (Baritone Saxophone)
- Claude Williamson (Piano)
- Eddie Safranski (Bass)
- Cliff Leeman (Drums)
- Carlos Vydol (Conga)
Charlie Barnet
August 1949: Hollywood, CA
Uncertain date and personnel
- Cornacopia
Personnel
- Rolf Ericson (Trumpet)
- Doc Severinson (Trumpet)
- Ray Wetzel (Trumpet)
- John Howell (Trumpet)
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet)
- Obie Massingill (Trombone)
- Dick Kenney (Trombone)
- Kent Larson (Trombone)
- Ken Martlock (Bass Trombone)
- Vinnie Dean (Alto Saxophone)
- Ruben Leon (Alto Saxophone)
- Dick Hafer (Tenor Saxophone)
- Kurt Bloom (Tenor Saxophone)
- Manny Albam (Baritone Saxophone)
- Claude Williamson (Piano)
- Eddie Safranski (Bass)
- Cliff Leeman (Drums)
- Carlos Vydol (Conga)
Charlie Barnet
August 1949: Balboa Beach (CA?)
Uncertain date and personnel
- Chas Me Blues
- Swell and Super
Personnel
- Rolf Ericson (Trumpet)
- Doc Severinson (Trumpet)
- Ray Wetzel (Trumpet)
- John Howell (Trumpet)
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet)
- Obie Massingill (Trombone)
- Dick Kenney (Trombone)
- Kent Larson (Trombone)
- Ken Martlock (Bass Trombone)
- Vinnie Dean (Alto Saxophone)
- Ruben Leon (Alto Saxophone)
- Dick Hafer (Tenor Saxophone)
- Kurt Bloom (Tenor Saxophone)
- Manny Albam (Baritone Saxophone)
- Claude Williamson (Piano)
- Eddie Safranski (Bass)
- Cliff Leeman (Drums)
- Carlos Vydol (Conga)
Charlie Barnet
16 August 1949: Hollywood, CA
- Over the Rainbow (arr. Tiny Kahn) [master 4898-34]
- All the Things You Are (arr. Dennis Farnon) [master 4899-2D]
- Pan Americana (arr. Manny Albam) [master 4900-1D]
- Ill Wind (arr. Pete Rugolo) [master 4901-1D]
- Claude Reigns (arr. Manny Albam) [master 4902-5D]
- Bop City (arr. Manny Albam) [master 4903-3D1]
- Alternate title: Really?
- Capitol T 624
- Capitol 21258
- Capitol CDP 7243 8 21258 2 2
- Capitol 7-1222
Personnel
- Rolf Ericson (Trumpet)
- Doc Severinson (Trumpet)
- Ray Wetzel (Trumpet)
- John Howell (Trumpet)
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet)
- Harry Betts (Trombone)
- Dick Kenney (Trombone)
- Herbie Harper (Trombone)
- Ken Martlock (Bass Trombone)
- Vinnie Dean (Alto Saxophone)
- Ruben Leon (Alto Saxophone)
- Dick Hafer (Tenor Saxophone)
- Kurt Bloom (Tenor Saxophone)
- Manny Albam (Baritone Saxophone)
- Claude Williamson (Piano)
- Eddie Safranski (Bass)
- Tiny Kahn (Drums)
- Carlos Vydol (Conga)
Charlie Barnet
October 1949: New York, NY
Uncertain date and personnel
- Bop City
- Alternate title: Balboa
- Almanac QSR 2446
- Drive Archive
- Durango
Personnel
- Rolf Ericson (Trumpet)
- Doc Severinson (Trumpet)
- Ray Wetzel (Trumpet)
- John Howell (Trumpet)
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet)
- Harry Betts (Trombone)
- Dick Kenney (Trombone)
- Herbie Harper (Trombone)
- Ken Martlock (Bass Trombone)
- Vinnie Dean (Alto Saxophone)
- Ruben Leon (Alto Saxophone)
- Dick Hafer (Tenor Saxophone)
- Kurt Bloom (Tenor Saxophone)
- Manny Albam (Baritone Saxophone)
- Claude Williamson (Piano)
- Eddie Safranski (Bass)
- Tiny Kahn (Drums)
- Carlos Vydol (Conga)