Tonight...

[Liquid Shadow]

I am opening for Maynard Fergusson.



Observe, as I perform a jig.

[Liquid Shadow]

Oh man that was an incredible show. Our part of it was alright...I think they recorded it so I'll try to post something when I go back to school in 2 weeks. But the Maynard Fergusson group was...fucking fantastic. Mainly the rhythm section (pianist, bassist, drummer). The 3 of them were seriously at the pinnacle of technical mastery over their instruments...it was so insane. But they had the musicianship to know when to keep it simple (most of the time within the big band context), and when to just start ripping shit to peices. And the ideas that they were playing...don't even fucking get me started. It was mindblowing how well these guys played. I can honestly say that I think they're all among the absolute best jazz/fusion players out there.

Jeff Lashway - Piano
Brian Mulholland - Bass
Stockton Helbing - Drums

Check them out. I'm listening to recordings of them right now and as impressive as this stuff is, the experience of seeing any of them play live is so much better, and I also think that they're playing is more interesting when it's live.

The rest of Maynard's band was great too, but those guys stuck out more than anything else. That was the most humbling and inspiring thing I have ever seen/heard. I got to chat with all of them after the show too when we were helping everybody tear down, and they're all super super nice and friendly guys. I want to steal them and put them in my backyard so I can listen to them whenever I want, and go out and learn things from them and sit around drinking with them every night. :D

[LithoJazzoSphere]

I almost saw them last year, but I recall that they sold out before I could get tickets. There isn't much that's more inspiring than seeing live jazz.

[ChrisMcCoy]

Congrats on the gig.

That must have been areally awesome experience!

btw..did you get to talk to Maynard ? I heard he's a really nice guy.
C.

[Liquid Shadow]

I didn't get to talk to him unfortunately. He walked very slowly off stage at the end as the band finished the "goodbye" type song, and we headed to the hallway by the stage so that we could go and help tear down as soon as they were done. A guy came out pushing Maynard in a wheelchair and they headed straight for the dressing room.

He's really old...I think he's in his late 70's now, and it's showing. His body is very worn it seems...although his spirits are plenty high. He talked a fair bit in between songs and he was indeed a very nice guy, if his attitude on stage is any indication of how he really is.