Maynard Ferguson & His Big Bop Band To Perform At Newtown High School
Maynard Ferguson & His Big Bop Band To Perform At Newtown High School
The Newtown High School Band Parents will present a live performance by Maynard Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau Band on Thursday, February 17, at 7:30 pm, in the auditorium of Newtown High School.
Mr Ferguson is a jazz legend, internationally renowned Big Band leader, and one of the worldâs most accomplished trumpet and brass instrument players. He is also one of the busiest, with more than 37 dates already scheduled across the country (and around the world, in the event of an eight-day tour in Japan coming in August) this year alone. On February 16, the night before his concert in Sandy Hook, Mr Ferguson and his band will be playing in Greenwich, N.Y.; the night after their NHS concert, the group will be in Plaistow, N.H.
Mr Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau Band draw upon bebop, jazz, funk, swing, classical, and contemporary music to create a fresh sound within the classic big band form. The current touring band features Mr Ferguson on trumpet, plus the trumpet players Patrick Hession, Ken Robinson and Pete Ferguson; music director and trombonist Reggie Watkins; saxophonists Doug Stone and Julio Monterrey; pianist Ji Young Lee; bassis Eun Chang Choi; and drummer Stockton Helbing.
His recording of âGonna Fly Nowâ â the theme from Rocky â rocketed him to fame with a top ten single, a gold album, and one of three career Grammy nominations. Mr Ferguson came to prominence long before that, however, playing in Stan Kentonâs orchestra before forming his own band in 1957. Mr Ferguson is noted for being able to accurately play in a remarkably high range.
After leaving the Kenton orchestra, Mr Ferguson has led his own groups, most notably the fusion band High Voltage and the band that will be performing in Sandy Hook, Big Bop Nouveau.
The first DVD of any of Mr Fergusonâs performances, Maynard Ferguson Live at The Top, is scheduled for wide release in April. A one-hour concert performance recorded in 1975, the collection features the classics âChameleonâ and âGospel Johnâ among its selections. While it will be officially released in April, the DVD is being sold during Mr Fergusonâs current tour as well.
Thursdayâs concert will also include a performance by the NHS Jazz Ensemble.
Tickets are $20 each. All proceeds will benefit the Newtown High School Band and Color Guard. For ticket information, call 270-4644, extension 2263.