The Maynard Ferguson Discography: The 1980s
The 1980s were yet another turning point for Ferguson as disco retreated into the dance clubs, jazz retreated into neoclassicism, America retreated into conservatism, and Ferguson's 1970s formula for commercial success faded. Following a final pair of pleasant but unfulfilling crossover albums to finish out his Columbia contract, Ferguson began to return to his own musical roots, albeit with one last set of experimental detours through smaller High Voltage groups that relied heavily on electronic instruments. By the end of the decade he had finally settled on an aggregation he called Big Bop Nouveau, a tight, economical, six-horn straight-ahead jazz group augmented with additional instrumentalists for recordings and other special occasions.
Maynard Ferguson
May and June 1980: Mediasound, New York City
Sessions for the It's My Time album. Aside from the two heavily-layered cuts by disco producer Norbert De Coteaux (It's My Time and Star!), and an all-too-brief cut with a 27-piece orchestra (An Offering of Love) the remainder of the arrangements and compositions by Nick Lane are middle-of-the-road fare showcasing a surprisingly peaceful Ferguson with his road band of the time. Nothing groundbreaking, but a pleasant album with some nice lyrical moments.
- It's My Time (Norbert De Coteaux, arr. Tom Tom 84 (Thomas Washington))
- Dance To Your Heart (Maynard Ferguson; Nick Lane, arr. Nick Lane)
- Everybody Loves The Blues (Nick Lane; Maynard Ferguson, arr. Nick Lane)
- Nick Lane (Superbone)
- Tom Rizzo (Guitar)
- Columbia JC 36766
- Columbia CK 52928
- Columbia CT 52928
- Columbia 88697 05164 2
- An Offering Of Love (Part 1) (L. Subramaniam, arr. Nick Lane)
- Star (Maurice White; Allee Willis; Eddie De Barrio, arr. Tom Tom 84 (Thomas Washington))
- You Can Have Me Anytime (Boz Scaggs; David Foster, arr. Nick Lane)
- Mike Migliore (Alto Saxophone)
- Columbia JC 36766
- Red Creek (Tom Rizzo, arr. Nick Lane)
- Ed Mania (Flute)
- Columbia JC 36766
- The Spirit Of St. Fredrick (Nick Lane)
- Tom Rizzo (Guitar)
- Columbia JC 36766
Personnel
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
- Stan Mark (Trumpet)
- Rusty Barker (Trumpet)
- Alan Wise (Trumpet)
- Mike Horbal (Trumpet)
- Nick Lane (Trombone)
- Ken Crane (Trombone and Tuba)
- Mike Migliore (Alto and Soprano Saxophones, Flute)
- Eric Traub (Tenor and Soprano Saxophones)
- Ed Mania (Baritone Saxophone, Flute, Alto Flute)
- David Ramsay (Fender Rhodes, Grand Piano, Minimoog, Polymoog)
- Tom Rizzo (Acoustic and Electric Guitars)
- Lou Carfa (Bass Guitar)
- Roberto Petaccia (Drums)
- Guy Lumia (Concertmaster)
- Deobrah McDuffie (Vocals)
- Krystal Davis (Vocals)
- Alex Head (Engineer)
- Carl Beatty (Assistant Engineer)
- Peter Thea (Assistant Engineer)
- George Butler (Executive Producer)
- Norbert De Coteaux (Producer)
The Forum Presents (television)
20 June 1980: The Forum, Toronto, Canada
Video labeled "Global Television Network Cable 3." Date comes from MF's mention that is is the "last day of spring." The presence of Gabriel from the Hot album as well as MF's leisure suit hints the concert occurred in 1979, but the tour date archive places this in 1980. Concert includes guest soloists Herbie Mann and Sarah Vaughan.
- Blue Birdland (Jimmy Giuffre)
- Give It One (Alan Downey; Maynard Ferguson, arr. Alan Downey)
- Mike Migliore (Soprano Saxophone)
- Birdland (Josef Zawinul, arr. Nick Lane)
- Gabriel (Maynard Ferguson; Nick Lane, arr. Nick Lane)
- Chameleon (Harvey Mason; Benny Maupin; Herbie Hancock, arr. Pete Jackson)
- Eric Traub (Soprano Saxophone)
- Ken Crane (Tuba)
Personnel
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
- Stan Mark (Trumpet)
- Rusty Barker (Trumpet)
- Alan Wise (Trumpet)
- Mike Horbal (Trumpet)
- Nick Lane (Trombone)
- Ken Crane (Trombone and Tuba)
- Mike Migliore (Alto and Soprano Saxophones, Flute)
- Eric Traub (Tenor and Soprano Saxophones)
- Ed Mania (Baritone Saxophone, Flute, Alto Flute)
- David Ramsay (Keyboards)
- Tom Rizzo (Acoustic and Electric Guitars)
- Lou Carfa (Bass Guitar)
- Roberto Petaccia (Drums)
- R. David Close (Executive Producer)
- Wendell G. Wilks (Executive Producer)
Maynard Ferguson
9 July 1980: Brussles, Belgium
TV broadcast of what looks like a very sweaty club date.
- Birdland (Josef Zawinul, arr. Nick Lane)
- You Can Have Me Anytime (Boz Scaggs; David Foster, arr. Nick Lane)
- Pagliacci (Ruggero Leoncavallo, arr. Jay Chattaway)
- Rocky II Disco (Bill Conti; Ayn Robbins; Carol Connors, arr. Nick Lane)
- Gonna Fly Now (Bill Conti; Carol Connors; Ayn Robbins, arr. Jay Chattaway)
Personnel
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
- Stan Mark (Trumpet)
- Rusty Barker (Trumpet)
- Alan Wise (Trumpet)
- Bob Odneal (Trumpet)
- Nick Lane (Trombone)
- Ken Crane (Trombone and Tuba)
- Mike Migliore (Alto and Soprano Saxophones, Flute)
- Eric Traub (Tenor and Soprano Saxophones)
- Ed Mania (Baritone Saxophone, Flute, Alto Flute)
- David Ramsay (Fender Rhodes, Grand Piano, Minimoog, Polymoog)
- Tom Rizzo (Acoustic and Electric Guitars)
- Lou Carfa (Bass Guitar)
- Roberto Petaccia (Drums)
Maynard Ferguson
10 July 1980: Olympia Hall, Munich, Germany
TV broadcast
- Blue Birdland (Jimmy Giuffre)
- Give It One (Alan Downey; Maynard Ferguson, arr. Alan Downey)
- Mike Migliore (Soprano Saxophone)
- www.youtube.com
- Birdland (Josef Zawinul, arr. Nick Lane)
- Everybody Loves The Blues (Nick Lane; Maynard Ferguson, arr. Nick Lane)
- Nick Lane (Superbone)
- Mike Migliorie (Alto Saxophone)
- Tom Rizzo (Guitar)
- Dusko Goykovich (Trumpet)
Personnel
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
- Stan Mark (Trumpet)
- Rusty Barker (Trumpet)
- Alan Wise (Trumpet)
- Bob Odneal (Trumpet)
- Nick Lane (Trombone)
- Ken Crane (Trombone and Tuba)
- Mike Migliore (Alto and Soprano Saxophones, Flute)
- Eric Traub (Tenor and Soprano Saxophones)
- Ed Mania (Baritone Saxophone, Flute, Alto Flute)
- David Ramsay (Fender Rhodes, Grand Piano, Minimoog, Polymoog)
- Tom Rizzo (Acoustic and Electric Guitars)
- Lou Carfa (Bass Guitar)
- Roberto Petaccia (Drums)
Maynard Ferguson
11 July 1980: The Hague, Holland
TV broadcast from the North Sea Jazz Festival. Video comments list Jeff Park, Jeff Conrad in place of Barker and Odneal on trumpet.
- Give It One (Alan Downey; Maynard Ferguson, arr. Alan Downey)
- Mike Migliore (Soprano Saxophone)
- youtu.be
- Birdland (Josef Zawinul, arr. Nick Lane)
- Everybody Loves The Blues (Nick Lane; Maynard Ferguson, arr. Nick Lane)
- Airegin (Sonny Rollins, arr. Mike Abene)
- Pagliacci (Ruggero Leoncavallo, arr. Jay Chattaway)
- Bobby Militello (Flute)
- youtu.be
- youtu.be
Personnel
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
- Stan Mark (Trumpet)
- Alan Wise (Trumpet)
- Rusty Barker (Trumpet)
- Bob Odneal (Trumpet)
- Nick Lane (Trombone)
- Ken Crane (Trombone and Tuba)
- Mike Migliore (Alto and Soprano Saxophones, Flute)
- Eric Traub (Tenor and Soprano Saxophones)
- Ed Mania (Baritone Saxophone, Flute, Alto Flute)
- David Ramsay (Fender Rhodes, Grand Piano, Minimoog, Polymoog)
- Tom Rizzo (Acoustic and Electric Guitars)
- Lou Carfa (Bass Guitar)
- Roberto Petaccia (Drums)
Maynard Ferguson
12 or 13 September 1980: Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park, CA
Home video release. Personnel uncertain
- Airegin
- Pagliacci (Ruggero Leoncavallo, arr. Jay Chattaway)
- Gonna Fly Now (Bill Conti; Carol Connors; Ayn Robbins, arr. Jay Chattaway)
Personnel
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
- Stan Mark (Trumpet)
- Rusty Barker (Trumpet)
- Alan Wise (Trumpet)
- Bob Odneal (Trumpet)
- Garfield Fobbs (Trombone)
- Nick Lane (Trombone)
- Jeff Kirk (Alto Saxophone)
- Eric Traub (Tenor Saxophone)
- Ed Mania (Baritone Saxophone)
- David Ramsay (Keyboards)
- Tom Rizzo (Guitar)
- Lou Carfa (Bass)
- Roberto Petaccia (Drums)
Maynard Ferguson
27 May 1981: Osaka, Japan
Japanese radio broadcast listed by Lee (pp 283)
- Latino Lovewalk (Maynard Ferguson; Gary Lindsay, arr. Gary Lindsay)
- Take the A Train (Billy Strayhorn, arr. Don Sebesky)
- Gonna Fly Now (Bill Conti; Carol Connors; Ayn Robbins, arr. Jay Chattaway)
- Blue Birdland (Jimmy Giuffre)
- MF Hit Medley
- I Can't Get Started (Vernon Duke; Ira Gershwin, arr. Pete Jackson)
Personnel
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
- Stan Mark (Trumpet)
- Nick Drozdoff (Trumpet)
- Serge Yow (Trumpet)
- Alan Wise (Trumpet)
- Garfield Fobbs (Trombone)
- Nick Lane (Trombone)
- Jeff Kirk (Alto Saxophone)
- Eric Traub (Tenor Saxophone)
- Ed Mania (Baritone Saxophone)
- David Ramsay (Keyboards)
- Lou Carfa (Bass)
- Dave Mancini (Drums)
Maynard Ferguson
January 1982: Larrabee Studios and A&M Recording Studios, Los Angeles, CA
Hollywood was one final studio extravaganza that unsuccessfully harkened back to the Bob James / Conquistador days. The Columbia magic that had resurrected MF's career in 1970 was exhausted and MF turned all responsibility over to the then-hot producer Stanley Clarke just to make sure. MF's trumpet sounds heavily processed throughout and he was quite unhappy with the album. This album mercifully concluded Ferguson's Columbia contract, which he had no interest in renewing (Lee pp 196-197). Collective personnel listed by Lee (pp 283). This release is perhaps most disappointing because of the unrealized potential embodied in the substantial talent of the collective personnel, many of whom were arguably at the height of their commercial and artistic capabilities.
- Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough (Michael Jackson)
- Deja Vu (Adrienne Anderson; Issac Hayes)
- Hollywood (Stanley Clarke)
- David Sanborn (Alto Saxophone)
- Columbia PC 37713
- Nine to Five (Dolly Parton)
- For Your Eyes Only (Bill Conti)
- Here Today (Todd Cochran)
- Portuguese Love (Teena Marie)
- Touch and Go (George Duke; Allee Willis; Stanley Clarke)
Personnel
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
- Stan Mark (Trumpet)
- Dave Trigg (Trumpet)
- Serge Yow (Trumpet)
- Alan Wise (Trumpet)
- Chuck Findley (Trumpet)
- Gary Grant (Trumpet)
- Harry Hall (Trumpet)
- Jerry Hey (Trumpet)
- Al Vizzutti (Trumpet)
- Chris Braymen (Trombone)
- Steve Wiest (Trombone)
- Charlie Lopez (Trombone)
- Lew McCreary (Trombone)
- Bill Reichenbach (Trombone)
- Nelson Hill (Saxophone)
- Eric Traub (Saxophone)
- Denis DiBlasio (Saxophone)
- Jim Horn (Saxophone)
- Larry Williams (Saxophone)
- Gary Herbig (Saxophone)
- Kim Hutchcroft (Saxophone)
- Todd Cochran (Keyboards)
- David Ramsay (Keyboards)
- Lee Ritenour (Guitar)
- Mike Sembello (Guitar)
- Marty Walsh (Guitar)
- Larry McNeeley (Banjo)
- George Duke (Piano)
- Greg Phillinganes (Piano)
- Paul Rostock (Bass)
- Nathan East (Bass)
- Stanley Clarke (Bass)
- Dave Mancini (Drums)
- Ndugu Chancler (Drums)
- Rick Schlosser (Drums)
- Steve Ferrone (Drums)
- Alex Acuna (Percussion)
- Pattie Brooks (Vocals)
- Marti McCall (Vocals)
- Denise Maynelli (Vocals)
- Charles Veal (Concertmaster)
- Stanley Clarke (Producer)
- Todd Cochran (Assistant Producer)
- George Butler (Executive Producer)
- Eric Zobler (Engineer)
- Bernie Grundman (Mastering Engineer)
Maynard Ferguson
19-20 June 1982: Playboy Jazz Festival, Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, CA
- Hollywood (Stanley Clarke)
- Portugese Love (Teena Marie)
- Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough
Personnel
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
- Stan Mark (Trumpet)
- Alan Wise (Trumpet)
- Hoby Freeman (Trumpet)
- Steve Wiest (Trombone)
- Chris Brayman (Trombone)
- Nelson Hill (Alto Saxophone)
- Dan Jordan (Tenor Saxophone)
- Denis DiBlasio (Baritone Saxophone)
- Ron Pedley (Keyboards)
- Matt Bissonette (Bass)
- Dave Mancini (Drums)
Maynard Ferguson
23 - 24 June 1982: Ocean Way Studios, Los Angeles, CA
Sessions for the Storm album, which was the first of two albums Ferguson recorded for the short-lived but mighty Palo Alto jazz record label. In marked contrast to his heavily-layered late Columbia work, this album was recorded direct to two-track, making it an excellent snapshot of what Ferguson and his band sounded like at the time (Lee pp 201).
- Admiral's Horn (Nick Lane)
- Jar Star (Chris Braymen)
- Dan Jordan (Tenor Saxophone)
- Nautilus NR 57
- Palo Alto PA 8052
- Palo Alto TBCD 8052
- Take the A Train (Billy Strayhorn, arr. Don Sebesky)
- Ron Pedley (Piano)
- Chris Braymen (Trombone)
- Nautilus NR 57
- Palo Alto PA 8052
- Palo Alto TBCD 8052
- Latino Lovewalk (Maynard Ferguson; Gary Lindsay, arr. Gary Lindsay)
- Nelson Hill (Alto Saxophone)
- Nautilus NR 57
- Palo Alto PA 8052
- Palo Alto TBCD 8052
- Sesame Street (Bruce Hart; Joe Raposo; Jon Stone, arr. Denis DiBlasio)
- Nelson Hill (Alto Saxophone)
- Denis DiBlasio (Baritone Saxophone)
- Nautilus NR 57
- Palo Alto PA 8052
- Palo Alto TBCD 8052
- As Time Goes By (Herman Hupfeld, arr. Denis DiBlasio)
- Dan Jordan (Tenor Saxophone)
- Maynard Ferguson (Vocals)
- Nautilus NR 57
- Palo Alto PA 8052
- Palo Alto TBCD 8052
- Go With the Flo (Nick Lane)
- Nelson Hill (Alto Saxophone)
- Nautilus NR 57
- Palo Alto PA 8052
- Palo Alto TBCD 8052
- Hit In the Head (Tom Rizzo; Nick Lane, arr. Nick Lane)
- Nelson Hill (Alto Saxophone)
- Steve Wiest (Trombone)
- Stan Mark (Trumpet)
- Nautilus NR 57
- Palo Alto PA 8052
- Palo Alto TBCD 8052
- www.youtube.com
Personnel
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
- Stan Mark (Trumpet)
- Alan Wise (Trumpet)
- Hoby Freeman (Trumpet)
- Steve Wiest (Trombone)
- Chris Braymen (Trombone)
- Nelson Hill (Alto Saxophone)
- Dan Jordan (Tenor Saxophone)
- Denis DiBlasio (Baritone Saxophone)
- Ron Pedley (Keyboards)
- Matt Bissonette (Bass)
- Dave Mancini (Drums)
- Tom Rizzo (Guitar)
- Greg Bissonette (Percussion)
- Luis Conte (Percussion)
- Jeffrey Weber (Producer)
- David Richardson (Executive Producer)
- Jerry Luby (Executive Producer)
- Allen Sides (Engineer)
Maynard Ferguson
Friday, July 2, 1982 at 7 PM: Théâtre St-Denis, Festival International de Jazz, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Birdland (Josef Zawinul, arr. Nick Lane)
- Daniel Jordan (Tenor Saxophone)
- Matt Bissonette (Bass)
- Spectel Video
- www.youtube.com
- www.youtube.com
- Hollywood (Stanley Clarke)
- Take the A Train (Billy Strayhorn, arr. Don Sebesky)
- Ron Pedley (Piano)
- Chris Braymen (Trombone)
- Spectel Video
- www.youtube.com
- www.youtube.com
- Sesame Street (Bruce Hart; Joe Raposo; Jon Stone, arr. Denis DiBlasio)
- Nelson Hill (Alto Saxophone)
- Denis DiBlasio (Baritone Saxophone)
- Spectel Video
- www.youtube.com
- www.youtube.com
- Portuguese Love (Teena Marie)
- Nelson Hill (Alto Saxophone)
- Dave Mancini (Drums)
- Spectel Video
- www.youtube.com
- www.youtube.com
- MF Hit Medley (MacArthur Park, Chameleon, Maria, Hey Jude)
- Steve Wiest (Trombone)
- Spectel Video
- www.youtube.com
- www.youtube.com
- Blue Birdland (Jimmy Giuffre)
- As Time Goes By (Herman Hupfeld, arr. Denis DiBlasio)
- Dan Jordan (Tenor Saxophone)
- Maynard Ferguson (Vocals)
- Spectel Video
- www.youtube.com
Personnel
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
- Stan Mark (Trumpet)
- Alan Wise (Trumpet)
- Hoby Freeman (Trumpet)
- Steve Wiest (Trombone)
- Chris Braymen (Trombone)
- Nelson Hill (Alto Saxophone)
- Dan Jordan (Tenor Saxophone)
- Denis DiBlasio (Baritone Saxophone)
- Ron Pedley (Keyboards)
- Matt Bissonette (Bass)
- Dave Mancini (Drums)
Mayport and All That Jazz (PBS) (television)
Maynard Ferguson
9 October 1982: Metro Park, Jacksonville, FL
- Hollywood (Stanley Clarke)
- MF Hit Medley (MacArthur Park, Chameleon, Maria, Hey Jude)
- Gonna Fly Now (Bill Conti; Carol Connors; Ayn Robbins, arr. Jay Chattaway)
Personnel
- Stan Mark (Trumpet)
- Alan Wise (Trumpet)
- Hoby Freeman (Trumpet)
- Steve Wiest (Trombone)
- Chris Braymen (Trombone)
- Daniel Jordan (Tenor Saxophone)
- Nelson Hill (Alto Saxophone)
- Denis DeBlasio (Baritone Saxophone)
- Ron Pedley (Keyboards)
- Matt Bissonette (Bass)
- Greg Bissonette (Drums)
Maynard Ferguson
27 May 1983: Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA
Recorded and released as the Live From San Francisco album. This was Maynard's first album since 1974 without Stan Mark, who was fired earlier in the tour.
- Fireshaker (Maynard Ferguson; Chris Braymen, arr. Chris Braymen)
- Coconut Champagne (Denis DiBlasio)
- Lush Life (Billy Strayhorn, arr. Denis DiBlasio)
- South 21st Street Shuffle (Steve Wiest)
- Bebop Buffet (arr. Denis DiBlasio)
- On The Sunny Side of the Street (Dorothy Fields; Jimmy McHugh, arr. Denis DiBlasio)
- Ganesha (Maynard Ferguson; Chris Braymen)
Personnel
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
- Alan Wise (Trumpet)
- Hoby Freeman (Trumpet)
- Hugh Ragin (Trumpet)
- Steve Wiest (Trombone)
- Chris Braymen (Trombone)
- Tim Ries (Alto Saxophone)
- Dan Jordan (Tenor Saxophone)
- Denis DiBlasio (Baritone Saxophone)
- Ron Pedley (Keyboards)
- Matt Bissonette (Bass)
- Greg Bissonette (Drums)
- Maynard Ferguson (Producer)
- Jeffrey Weber (Producer)
- Kim Ferguson (Executive Producer)
- Rick Pekkonen (Engineer)
- Steve Hall (Mastering Engineer)
Maynard Ferguson
28 or 29 May 1983: Disneyland, Anaheim, CA
Moderate quality audience video recording. Personnel presumably the same as the GAMH recording a few days earlier.
- Blue Birdland (Jimmy Giuffre)
- Birdland (Josef Zawinul, arr. Nick Lane)
- Dan Jordan (Tenor Saxophone)
- Matt Bissonette (Bass)
- www.youtube.com
- Fireshaker (Maynard Ferguson; Chris Braymen, arr. Chris Braymen)
- Chris Braymen (Trombone)
- Greg Bissonette (Drums)
- www.youtube.com
- Cocoanut Champagne (Denis DiBlasio)
- Denis DiBlasio (Baritone Saxophone)
- Greg Bissonette (Drums)
- www.youtube.com
- Bebop Buffet
Personnel
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
- Alan Wise (Trumpet)
- Hoby Freeman (Trumpet)
- Hugh Ragin (Trumpet)
- Steve Wiest (Trombone)
- Chris Braymen (Trombone)
- Tim Ries (Alto Saxophone)
- Dan Jordan (Tenor Saxophone)
- Denis DiBlasio (Baritone Saxophone)
- Ron Pedley (Keyboards)
- Matt Bissonette (Bass)
- Greg Bissonette (Drums)
Maynard Ferguson
3-7 August 1983: Madaro-Newport Jazz Festival, Japan
Japanese TV broadcast. Gonna Fly Now translated as "Locky." Seems to have been a very hot outdoor concert as MF sweats profusely through his shirt.
- Blue Birdland (Jimmy Giuffre)
- Portuguese Love (Teena Marie)
- As Time Goes By (Herman Hupfeld, arr. Denis DiBlasio)
- Maynard Ferguson (Vocals)
- Bebop Buffet
- Gonna Fly Now (Bill Conti; Carol Connors; Ayn Robbins, arr. Jay Chattaway)
Personnel
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
- Alan Wise (Trumpet)
- Hoby Freeman (Trumpet)
- Hugh Ragin (Trumpet)
- Steve Wiest (Trombone)
- Chris Braymen (Trombone)
- Tim Ries (Alto Saxophone)
- Dan Jordan (Tenor Saxophone)
- Denis DiBlasio (Baritone Saxophone)
- Ron Pedley (Keyboards)
- Matt Bissonette (Bass)
- Greg Bissonette (Drums)
L. Subramaniam
1985: Fantasy Studios, Studio II Culver City and That Studio, North Hollywood, CA
- Super Instinct (L. Subramaniam)
- Memories of Jaffna (L. Subramaniam)
Personnel
- L. Subramaniam (Violin)
- Bud Shank (Flute)
- Mark Massey (Keyboards)
- Lary Coryell (Guitar)
- Jerry Watts (Bass)
- Ron Wagner (Drums)
- Tony Williams (Drums)
- Alex Acuna (Percussion)
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
Maynard Ferguson
January 20, 1985: J.H. McGaugh High School, Seal Beach, CA
- Blue Birdland (Jimmy Giuffre)
- Birdland (Josef Zawinul, arr. Nick Lane)
- Portuguese Love (Teena Marie)
- South 21st Street Shuffle (Steve Wiest)
- Lush Life (Billy Strayhorn, arr. Denis DiBlasio)
- Bebop Buffet
- Gonna Fly Now (Bill Conti; Carol Connors; Ayn Robbins, arr. Jay Chattaway)
Personnel
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
- Alan Wise (Trumpet)
- Hoby Freeman (Trumpet)
- Janes St. Charles (Trumpet)
- Steve Wiest (Trombone)
- Joe Barati (Trombone)
- Tim Ries (Alto Saxophone?)
- Andy Wiseman (Tenor Saxophone)
- Denis DiBlasio (Baritone Saxophone)
- Ron Pedley (Keyboards)
- Matt Bissonette (Bass)
- Greg Bissonette (Drums)
- Matt Harris (Keyboards)
- Bob Wackerman (Bass)
- Ray Brinker (Drums)
Maynard Ferguson
January 1986: Los Angeles, CA
Trimmed-down, tech-heavy band for the Body and Soul album as a prelude to the High Voltage experiments. MF plays flat throughout the album and the 80's arrangements have not worn well.
- Expresso (Denis DiBlasio)
- Body and Soul (Edward Heyman; Robert Sour; Frank Eyton; Johnny Green, arr. Denis DiBlasio)
- M.O.T. (Matt Harris)
- Mira Mira (Matt Harris)
- Last Dive (Matt Harris)
- Beautiful Hearts (Maynard Ferguson; Denis DiBlasio, arr. Denis DiBlasio)
- Central Park (Maynard Ferguson; Denis DiBlasio, arr. Denis DiBlasio)
Personnel
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
- Wayne Bergeron (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
- Alan Wise (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
- Alex Illes (Trombone)
- Tim Ries (Alto Saxophone)
- Rick Margitza (Tenor Saxophone)
- Denis DiBlasio (Baritone Saxophone and Flute)
- Todd Carlon (Keyboards)
- Dave Carpenter (Bass)
- Dave Miller (Drums)
- Michael Higgins (Guitar)
- Steve Fisher (Percussion)
- Chad Wackerman (Drum Machine Programming)
Sass et Brass (television)
13 October 1986: New Orleans, LA
HBO program released on video
- I Can't Get Started
- Al Hirt (Trumpet)
- HBO Video VHS-0039
- www.youtube.com
- Bag's Groove
- Sarah Vaughan (Vocals)
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet)
- Don Cherry (Trumpet)
- Al Hirt (Trumpet)
- Chuck Mangione (Flugelhorn)
- HBO Video VHS-0039
- Take the A Train
- Sarah Vaughan (Vocals)
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet)
- Don Cherry (Trumpet)
- Dizzy Gillespie (Trumpet)
- Al Hirt (Trumpet)
- Chuck Mangione (Flugelhorn)
- HBO Video VHS-0039
- Watermelon Man
- Played over closing credits. Intro shows brief clip of the trumpets rehearsing Watermelon Man around the piano with Hancock.
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet)
- Don Cherry (Trumpet)
- Dizzy Gillespie (Trumpet)
- Al Hirt (Trumpet)
- Chuck Mangione (Flugelhorn)
- HBO Video VHS-0039
Personnel
- Herbie Hancock (Piano)
- Ron Carter (Bass)
- Billy Higgins (Drums)
- Ben Sidran (Musical Director)
- Len Dell'Amico (Director)
- Paul Blakemore (Engineer)
Maynard Ferguson
March through May 1987: Mad Hatter Studios, Los Angeles, CA
Sessions for the High Voltage album
- Jack Usage (Michael Higgins)
- Sunday Morning (Todd Carlon)
- High Voltage (Todd Carlon)
- Stardust (Hoagy Charmichael, arr. Denis DiBlasio)
- Marketplace (Denis DiBlasio)
- Walkin' On the Pier (Maynard Ferguson; Denis DiBlasio)
- Carl Anderson (Vocals)
- Intima SJ 73279
- Intima CDI 73279
- Snap (Denis DiBlasio)
- Shufflemonk (Maynard Ferguson; Denis DiBlasio)
Personnel
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet, Flugelhorn and Superbone)
- Denis DiBlasio (Saxophones, Flute and Vocals)
- Todd Carlon (Keyboards)
- Michael Higgins (Guitar)
- Rick Shaw (Bass)
- Ray Brinker (Drums)
- Steve Fisher (Percussion)
- Bernie Dressel (Drum Programming)
Maynard Ferguson
1987?: Storyville Jazz Hall, New Orleans, LA?
Al Hirt joins MF and the High Voltage band. Location and personnel uncertain
- Shufflemonk (Maynard Ferguson; Denis DiBlasio)
Personnel
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet)
- Al Hirt (Trumpet)
- Denis DiBlasio (Saxophones, Flute and Vocals)
- Todd Carlon (Keyboards)
- Michael Higgins (Guitar)
- Rick Shaw (Bass)
- Ray Brinker (Drums)
- Steve Fisher (Percussion)
- Bernie Dressel (Drum Programming)
Maynard Ferguson
July - September 1988: Santa Barbara, CA
Sessions for the High Voltage II album
- Omaha (Matt Wallace; Tony Gulizia)
- Whatcha Thinkin' (Jim Exon; Todd Carlon)
- Star Eyes (Don Raye; Gene De Paul, arr. Dave Tull)
- Till Then (Billy Hulting)
- Zihuatanejo (Billy Hulting; Maynard Ferguson)
- Nightgown (John Toomey; Maynard Ferguson)
- Get Off the Bus (John Toomey)
- King Kan (Tom Bevan)
Personnel
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
- Matt Wallace (Saxophones)
- John Toomey (Keyboards)
- Tom Bevan (Guitar)
- Michael Lufkin (Bass)
- Dave Tull (Drums)
- Billy Hulting (Percussion)
- Daniel Protheroe (Engineer)
- Dominic Camardella (Engineer)
- Anders Johannson (Assistant Engineer)
- Wally Traugatt (Mastering Engineer)
- Jim Exon (Executive Producer)
- Maynard Ferguson (Producer)
ZDF Jazz Club (television)
7 November 1987: JazzFest Berlin (Germany)
The High Voltage band plus five horns. Nice record of what an MF concert of this period was like.
- Blue Birdland (Jimmy Giuffre)
- The Last Dive (Matt Harris)
- Body and Soul (Edward Heyman; Robert Sour; Frank Eyton; Johnny Green, arr. Denis DiBlasio)
- Shufflemonk (Maynard Ferguson; Denis DiBlasio)
- Jack Usage (Michael Higgins)
- Stardust (Hoagy Charmichael, arr. Denis DiBlasio)
- Marketplace (Denis DiBlasio)
- Birdland (Josef Zawinul)
- Blue Birdland (Jimmy Giuffre)
- Gonna Fly Now (Bill Conti; Carol Connors; Ayn Robbins)
- Blue Birdland (Jimmy Giuffre)
Personnel
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
- Don Hahn (Trumpet)
- Wayne Bergeron (Trumpet)
- Steve Wiest (Trombone)
- Tim Ries (Alto Saxophone)
- Matt Wallace (Tenor Saxophone)
- Tom Bevan (Guitar)
- John Toomey (Keyboards)
- Michael Lufkin (Bass)
- David Tull (Drums)
- Billy Hulting (Percussion)
Jacksonville Jazz IX (television)
Maynard Ferguson
15 October 1988: Jacksonville, FL
A stop on the 60th birthday tour with a reconstituted big band horn section on top of the High Voltage rhythm section
- Star Eyes (Don Raye; Gene De Paul, arr. Dave Tull)
- MF Hit Medley (Gonna Fly Now, Chameleon, MacArthur Park, Frame For the Blues, Maria)
Jacksonville Jazz IX (television)
15 October 1988: Jacksonville, FL
MF joins Michael Brecker, Louie Bellson and Bob James sitting in with Paul Shaffer's band.
- Love and Happiness (Al Green; Teenie Hodges)
Maynard Ferguson
4-6 December 1988: Santa Barbara, CA
MF finally gives up on being a rock star and embraces the neoclassical zeitgeist of the day on sessions for an eponymously-titled album with his new group Big Bop Nouveau
- Blue Birdland (Jimmy Giuffre)
- Cherokee (arr. Mike Abene)
- Caught in the Current (George Stone)
- But Beautiful (Jimmy van Heusen; Johnny Burke, arr. David Metzger)
- Crusin' For a Blusin' (Andy Wiener)
- The MF Hit Medley (Chameleon, MacArthur Park, Frame for the Blues, Maria, Birdland) (arr. David Metzger)
Personnel
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
- Wayne Bergeron (Trumpet)
- Roger Ingram (Trumpet)
- Peter Olstad (Trumpet)
- Alex Iles (Trombone)
- Rich Berkeley (Trombone)
- Christopher Hollyday (Alto Saxophone)
- Matt Wallace (Tenor Saxophone)
- Gene Burkert (Tenor Saxophone)
- Glenn Kostur (Baritone Saxophone)
- Tom Bevan (Guitar)
- John Toomey (Keyboards)
- Jim Domica (Bass)
- Dave Tull (Drums)
- Billy Hulting (Percussion)
Maynard Ferguson
24-29 July 1988: Ronnie Scott's, London, England
Live recording released as Live From London
- A Night in Tunisia (Dizzy Gillespie, arr. Denis DiBlasio)
- In a Mellow Tone
- St. Thomas
- The Fox Hunt (Mike Abene)
- Rhythm Method
- My One and Only Love
- Glenn's Den
Personnel
- Maynard Ferguson (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
- Roger Ingram (Trumpet)
- Craig Johnson (Trumpet)
- Walter White (Trumpet)
- Brian Thompson (Trumpet)
- Keith Oshiro (Trombone)
- Joe Berati (Trombone)
- Dave Pietro (Alto Saxophone)
- Matt Wallace (Tenor Saxophone)
- Chip McNeill (Tenor Saxophone)
- Glenn Kostur (Baritone Saxophone)
- Christian Jacob (Keyboards)
- Nathan Berg (Bass)
- Chris Brown (Drums)
Arsenio Hall Show, Season 1, Episode 60 (television)
27 March 1989 (air date): Paramount Studios, Los Angeles, CA
Promo appearance for the High Voltage II album, which seems a bit anachronistic since he already had a couple of albums in the can with Big Bop Nouveau
- Watcha' Thinkin' (Jim Exon; Todd Carlon)
Live with Regis and Kathy Lee, Season 1, Episode 182 (television)
25 May 1989 (air date): New York, NY
Interview appearance (no band) promoting High Voltage II during a Blue Note run. MF attempts (unsuccessfully) to teach Regis to play the trumpet. Plays a brief solo trumpet version of Gonna Fly Now.