NHS Jazz Band To Open For Legendary Performer

By Larissa Lytwyn

Trumpet player Nick Drabik, a member of Newtown High School’s jazz ensemble and aspiring professional musician, has held a longtime admiration for legendary jazz performer Maynard Ferguson.

He is not alone.

Fellow jazz ensemble members Jeremy Hodge, Alicia Rogers, and Brian Hunt all profess to be big fans of the big-band innovator.

On Thursday, February 17, at 7:30 pm, the students will have the opportunity to open for Mr Ferguson on the stage of the NHS auditorium.

“We’re going to play a number of Mr Ferguson’s best-known songs, including ‘Coconut Champagne’ and ‘Brazil,’” said Brian. “It’s probably going to be the biggest audience we’ve played for yet!”

Alicia said she liked the sound of Mr Ferguson’s music, which draws upon bebop, funk, swing, classical music, and, of course, jazz, to create a fresh sound within the classic big band form

The 77-year-old Montreal native’s innate musical talents were exhibited at an early age. Through the encouragement of his parents, he was playing piano and violin by the age of 4. At age 9, he discovered the trumpet and fell quickly in love. At 13, he was awarded a scholarship to the French Conservatory of Music where he received formal training. He was soon giving solo performances as a child prodigy with the Canadian Broadcasting Company Orchestra.

Three years later, he was leading the warm-up band of many of the great big bandleaders of the day, including Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillepsie.

Over the next several decades, Mr Ferguson redefined the definition of the big band sound with his mixing of different musical influences.

In 1949, while still a teen, he accepted an offer from American Stan Kenton to join his orchestra. The opportunity opened the door to a number of high-profile gigs with such big-name players as the Boyd Rayburn, Jimmy Dorsey, and Charlie Barnett bands.

Over the next three decades he worked as a studio musician, recording soundtracks to films including The Ten Commandments.

In 1978, he received a Grammy nomination for his recording of “Gonna Fly Now,” the theme from 1978 Best Picture winner Rocky. The recording also garnered Mr Ferguson more mainstream, commercial success.

“Being able to play for Mr Ferguson is really an honor,” said jazz ensemble member Steven Schmidt. “It’s a very special and unique opportunity.”

Band Director Kurt Eckhardt said that Mr Ferguson’s appearance cost the band department about $7,500.

Mr Ferguson will be traveling with his nine-piece Big Bop Nouveau Band by bus to the school.

“If we self half the seats in the house, we’ll break even,” said jazz ensemble member Jeremy Hodge. “If we sell out completely, we’ll earn a profit that we will use to support the band department.”

“It’s important to emphasize that,” said Alicia. “We are in serious need for new band uniforms, as well as some new equipment.”

Mr Eckhardt said he hopes that knowing the proceeds will potentially benefit the band program will increase interest in the performance even more.

“Charging $20 a ticket to see Maynard Ferguson is definitely a bargain,” he said. “You would be paying much, much more that if you saw him at a major venue in, say, Manhattan.”

In addition, he said, all the seats in the auditorium “are good ones” because the venue is small enough to provide maximum viewing benefits — as well as strong acoustics.

Requests for tickets have been steadily pouring in. One order for two tickets came from a Czech native currently residing in Westwood, N.J.

“I am a former professional trumpet player,” wrote the fan, “and at the time being I temporarily work in the US. My dream since my childhood was to see Maynard Ferguson in a live concert. Now, my dream came true!”

“It was an amazing letter,” said Mr Eckhardt. “Very heartening. This is going to be something very special.”

To request tickets for the performance, send a check to Newtown High School, C/O Kurt Eckhardt, 12 Berkshire Road in Sandy Hook CT 06482.

For more information, call 270-4644, ext 2263.