Maynard Ferguson trumpet 1928 Verdun Quebec
Stan Kenton once described Maynard Ferguson as a trumpeter capable of "stiring great feelings of fire". Maynard's ability to play in the high register is unequaled. During the late '40s he played in the bands of Boyd Raeburn and then Charlie Barnet. From 1950 to 1953 he came to prominence with the Stan Kenton band. Kenton's arrangers were able to write many charts that took advantage of Maynard's ability to bring excitement to the band's dynamic sound. During the later part of the '60s Ferguson toured extensively in Europe and England (where hi lived for a number of years) and also the Near East. In the '70s he even lived in India for a short while. Maynard enjoyed several commercial "hits" with Jim Webb's "McArthur Park", recorded in 1970, and Bill Conti's" Gonna Fly Now", the theme for the film "Rocky". Maynard is best known for for his exceptional ability to play in the higher register and for his ability to play several different brass instruments-trumpet, french horn, trombone and euphonium. Maynard is not the most notable improviser in jazz, but he has inspired many young trumpeters with his dazzling technical proficiency, heard to good effect on Slide Hampton's tune "Frame For The Blues" and Don Sebesky's beautiful arrangement of Leonard Bernstein's "Maria".
Sonny Payne drums 1926 New York City
Sonny Payne was the son of Chris Columbus, a popular bandleader from the 1930s into the 1950s. One of Sonny's first professional jobs was with the band of Hot Lips Page in 1944. From 1945 to 1947 he played and recorded with Earl Bostic, and then Tiny Grimes, and from 1949 to 1950 he worked with Erskin Hawkins. In early 1955 Sonny joined the Count Basie band replacing Gus Johnson. Payne provided the Basie band with a very forceful, swinging drive. His dynamic drumming is best heard on the Count's album "Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings" He worked with Basie until 1965, when he left and formed his own group and worked as an accompanist to Frank Sinatra. Sonny then worked with the Harry James orchestra for about ten years, before working for several more years with the Basie band. Sonny Payne died in 1979.
Ron Carter bass 1937 Ferndale MI
Ron started studying the cello when he was ten years old. Four years later (1951) he moved with his family to Detroit, where he encountered difficulties in his career as a classical cellist because of his race, and in 1954 he decided to switch to the double bass. Ron attended the Eastman School, graduating in 1959, and his interest in jazz developed only gradually. After graduating he moved to New York and began working with Chico Hamilton's quintet and continued his education by enrolling in the Manhattan School of Music (MM 1961). In 1960 Hamilton returned to California, and Ron remained in New York, where he made important recordings with Eric Dolphy and Don Ellis. Through most of the1960s Carter was a freelance musician working with people such Randy Weston, Jacki Byard, and Thelonious Monk, among others. In 1963 he went with Miles Davis for an important association. Herbie Hancock and Tony Williams, along with Ron, made up Miles's important rhythm section. By now Ron was one of the most sought-after bass players in jazz; he has recorded over a thousand 1000 albums with numerous jazz and soul artists. Ron has been active principally with groups of his own, and as a freelance musician in internationally renowned all-star groups. The latter includes V.S.O.P. (1976-77) and The Milestone Jazzstars (1978). Ron also made an appearance in the film Round Midnight. In the 1980s Ron performed with Jim Hall and Cedar Walson, working in clubs in New York. Carter commands a flawless technique and frequently has to choose between working as a soloist or working with others. With Herbie Hancock and Tony Williams, Ron created a basis of rhythm and harmony that is fluid and driving, and a dream for any soloist they backed. Carter's most popular work was probably with V.S.O.P. and with Miles's group, but his best work was on Herbie Hancock's album, "Maiden Voyage".
