esrosedotblog

GABRIEL

Maynard Ferguson slipped away from us last weekend.

A short illness, an infection, and he was gone.

Not a bad way to go. Quick.

I always liked Ferguson's style a lot. He had a screaming trumpet that slid up and over and down again.

He was not universally appreciated. He pushed the envelope.

I saw him once at the old old 1950's Boston Arts Festival. This is even before the Newport.

I listened over the years. His sound was unmistakable.

He still toured until his illness.

Stand aside Gabriel, Maynard is comin' in.

And it is May-nard as in day-yard, no accent on either syllable.