JAZZ DISCIPLES TO MEET A MASTER; TRUMPET ARTIST MAYNARD FERGUSON TO COACH SIMI HIGH PLAYERS.Byline: John Huddy Daily News Staff Writer Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. High junior Peter Moresi is jazzed about playing in the Ojai Jazz Festival Noun 1. jazz festival - a festival that features performances by jazz artists festival, fete - an organized series of acts and performances (usually in one place); "a drama festival" , to be held Saturday, and the reason has a name: Maynard Ferguson Walter Maynard Ferguson (May 4 1928 – August 23 2006) was a Canadian jazz trumpet player and bandleader. He came to prominence playing in Stan Kenton's orchestra, before forming his own band in 1957. . Moresi, a two-year veteran of Simi Valley High's jazz band, is not just familiar with Ferguson's legendary big band and jazz music. Moresi also has styled his own trumpet trumpet, brass wind musical instrument of part cylindrical, part conical bore, in the shape of a flattened loop and having three piston valves to regulate the pitch. playing after Ferguson's. ``I have a lot of his CDs,'' said Moresi. ``Maynard is a great artist who's taught me a lot just from listening to him.'' Fellow jazz ensemble musician Doug Conant agreed. ``You can listen to Maynard Ferguson and learn. You can take licks from his music, then try to play them,'' said Conant, drummer in the jazz band for three years. ``I love listening to Maynard's music, especially the drummer. By just listening, I get the inspiration to practice and play.'' This weekend, members of the Simi High jazz band will not only hear, but also play for and be instructed by Ferguson. Jazz bands from Nordhoff High School in Ojai and from Santa Barbara Santa Barbara (săn'tə bär`brə, –bərə), city (1990 pop. 85,571), seat of Santa Barbara co., S Calif., on the Pacific Ocean; inc. 1850. High School also will perform at the festival. ``These kids can identify and relate to the jazz musicians This is a list of jazz musicians on whom Wikipedia has articles. Some of the most notable jazz musicians
The Ojai Jazz Festival will feature Ferguson, who is known for his high notes on the trumpet and for his Big Bop Nouveau Big Bop Nouveau is a band formed in the late 1980s by the late jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson. Originally comprised of four trumpets, two trombones and four saxophones plus a rhythm section (plus Maynard), it was later reduced to what has become known as the "pocket big band" Band. Ferguson's bands have been performing for more than three decades, playing big-band versions of ``MacArthur Park'' and the theme from ``Rocky.'' Ferguson, a longtime long·time adj. Having existed or persisted for a long time: a longtime friend; a longtime resident of Detroit. longtime Adjective resident of Ojai, has worked with many high school bands and young musicians. Starting in the afternoon Saturday, Ferguson will conduct a jazz-interpretation clinic for student musicians invited to the festival. In the evening, the high school bands will get a chance to show off their skills, playing warm-up music for 30 to 45 minutes before the jazz legend goes on. The Simi Valley High's jazz band has performed at about half a dozen festivals since January and has played with professionals in the past. But this time it's different. ``A few years back, we had studio players come in to help the kids with their skills,'' said Elginer. ``But we don't have a chance to do this frequently. The legendary status of Maynard is definitely significant for this festival and for those in the bands playing.'' Elginer and Bill Wagner, Nordhoff High School teacher and jazz band instructor, are trumpet players who have worked together professionally. The Ojai festival also will be a fund-raiser for the Nordhoff High School Band. ``I've never heard Maynard play live,'' said Elginer. ``This is going to be a great experience.'' THE FACTS WHAT Ojai Jazz Festival. WHEN 7 p.m., Saturday. WHERE Nordhoff High School, 1401 Maricopa Highway. COST $10. INFORMATION: (805) 640-4349, or (805) 646-8433. CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO (Color) Simi Valley High School Simi Valley High School is a secondary school located in Simi Valley, California which was established in 1920 as the first high school in the valley. It nestles in the Santa Susana Mountains and is adjacent to the San Fernando Valley, part of the city and county of Ventura. drummer Doug Conant rehearses for the school jazz band's appearance at the Ojai Jazz Festival, where concert and recording artist Maynard Ferguson will instruct and perform Saturday. Evan Yee/Daily News |
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