The Maynard Ferguson Discography: The 1990s

The 1990's were a period of relative stability for Ferguson. The almost constant quest for musical identity that had driven him since the 1960s had been supplanted by an acceptance of and by the jazz mainstream, revealing an essential core synthesis of musicianship and showmanship that had been, and continued be, a key to Ferguson's popularity. Surrounded by musicians who had come of age inspired by his music, and who largely followed his ethos, Maynard continued to support a loyal following with almost constant touring throughout the decade. While the inevitable effects of age were increasingly evident in his playing, that he was able in his 70s to even approximate what he had been able to do in his prime was a testament to his unique physical and spiritual character.

Ferguson's 1990s Big Bop Noveau recordings for Concord Records continued his practice of utilizing the internal writing talents of his touring band on both standards and original compositions. While far from groundbreaking, these recordings were tastefully performed, immaculately recorded, highly listenable, and distinctly Maynard. The transformations in technology, and the music industry as a whole, are also reflected in the wide variety of long-form amateur and professional concert video that survives from this decade and is now readily accessible on YouTube.

Maynard Ferguson
19 June 1990: Johnny D's, Somerville, MA

www.youtube.com

Personnel

Maynard Ferguson
4 May 1991: Internationales Jazzfestival Bern, Switzerland

www.mftourdates.net

Maynard Ferguson
5-7 July 1992: Hanita Jazz Club, Belgium

Released as the Footpath Cafe album

Personnel

Maynard Ferguson
12 March 1993: Brick High School, Brick, NJ

Clandestine audience video recording, fair audio, great show.

www.youtube.com

Personnel

Maynard Ferguson
19-28 May 1994: Sound Design Studios, Santa Barbara, CA

Sessions for the These Cats Can Swing album

Personnel

New Trier High School Jazz Ensemble
February 1995?: Frank Mantooth Jazz Festival, Winnetka, IL

Personnel


14 October 1995: Purdue University, Lafeyette, IN

Evening concert after playing Rocky in halftime show with the marching band.

www.youtube.com

Personnel

The Late Show with David Letterman (television)
23 January 1996 (air date): Ed Sullivan Theatre, New York, NY

MF sits in with Paul Shaffer's band. MF never solos or makes his presence felt in any clearly audible way. Presumably he's there as quid pro quo for David making a brief promo announcement for the These Cats Can Swing album and MF's gig at the Blue Note.

www.youtube.com

www.tv.com

Maynard Ferguson
3-7 June 1996: Sound Design Studios, Santa Barbara, CA

Sessions for the One More Trip to Birdland album

Personnel

Tito Puente
June and July 1996: Hit Factory, New York City; Sound on Sound Studios, New York City; Sound Design Studios, Santa Barbara, CA

Three tunes that feature MF on Tito's Special Delivery album.

Personnel

Christian Jacob
21 August 1996: Sound Design Studios, Santa Barbara, CA

Session(s) for Maynard Ferguson Presents Christian Jacob, one of a pair of albums MF produced (but did not perform on) to promote his sidemen.

Personnel

Maynard Ferguson
9 September 1996: Internationale Jazzfestival Viersen, Germany

Video of live performance on WDR. Includes interview clips.

www.youtube.com

Personnel

Tom Garling
2-4 October 1996: Sound Design Studios, Santa Barbara, CA

Session(s) for Maynard Ferguson Presents Tom Garling, one of a pair of small group albums MF produced (but did not perform on) to promote his sidemen.

Personnel

Maynard Ferguson
Sometime in 1998: Unknown high school

Audience video of a typical high school performance from this period

Maynard Ferguson
26-30 May 1998: Sound Design Studios, Santa Barbara, CA

Sessions for the Brass Attitude album

Personnel

Michael Feinstein
2-4 August 1999: Various

Tracks for the Big City Rhythms album

www.discogs.com

Personnel

Next: The Maynard Ferguson Discography: The 2000s