Birdland - Maynard Ferguson

Maynard Ferguson performing Birdland on the Mike Douglas Show

So I think we can all agree that this was maybe the most overplayed tune at stage band festivals. I think because it was seen as a "real" jazz tune but didn't require teaching young musicians how to really swing?

This tune brings back so many memories of the 70's for me. Weather Report brought out Heavy Weather in 1977 when I was just beginning my Music Degree at Queens University in Kingston. And Birdland was the BIG hit!

The melody was just so catchy and happy!

This was my introduction to jazz greats, Jaco Pastorius, Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Alex Acuna and Manolo Badrena.

This recording features Canadian superstar Maynard Ferguson with a super talented young band backing him. The synth at the beginning and the Rhodes piano both bring back my early days at Kincardine DSS. The Knights of Jazz didn't always have a bass player but they had a synth to cover the bass. And that old beat up Rhodes that never quite played in tune - ah the memories.