AMG Review of Blues Roar

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

This rather brief (under 36 minutes) CD is a straight reissue of a Mainstream LP by the Maynard Ferguson Orchestra. M.F. and his crew perform a variety of blues-oriented material including "Every Day I Have the Blues," "Night Train," "What'd I Say" and "I've Got a Woman." Willie Maiden, Don Sebesky and Mike Abene were responsible for the arrangements and the main soloists are Ferguson (on trumpet and valve trombone), altoists Lanny Morgan and Charlie Mariano, Frank Vicari on tenor and pianist Mike Abene. A fine set, it's the last recording by this excellent orchestra.