By 1983, Maynard Ferguson had conquered Jazz, television, the Pop charts and even played the closing ceremonies of the 1976 Olympics.
His Storm release from that year brought him back to the faithful, and while the band was hot, they played a show at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall. While he was incredible on record, hearing Ferguson live was the real deal. Luckily for all of us, that May 27th performance was captured on tape.
In addition to the decades of prior material offered, 1984’s Live From San Francisco offered the things that made a Ferguson Band performance truly special—an eclectic and unique mix of jazz and fusion, and dazzling musicianship.
Out of print for decades, Live From San Francisco returns, and offers fans stunning originals like “Fireshaker,” “Ganesha,” and Coconut Champagne.” But, the past isn’t forgotten with a 13-minute tribute to Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Thelonious Monk—“Bebop Buffet”—and a vocal duet with band member Denis DiBlasio (who currently supervises The Maynard Ferguson Institute of Jazz Studies at Rowan University)—“On The Sunny Side Of The Street.”
Live From San Francisco put everyone in the venue, feeling the power of The Maynard Ferguson Band. This reissue sets the time machine backward, but proves great live music is truly timeless.
Fireshaker Coconut Champagne Lush Life South 21st Shuffle BeBop Buffet On The Sunny Side Of The Street Ganesha