MAYNARD FERGUSON

Maynard Ferguson & Big Bop Nouveau 

Cajun Cookin’
Who'da thunk, Big Band Zydeco?

AllMusic Review by Scott Yanow

Even at the age of 67, Maynard Ferguson shows on this CD that he could still belt out the high notes. His "Big Bop Noveau" band consists of four trumpets, trombonist Tom Garling (who takes a rockish guitar solo on "Birdland"), Matt Wallace and Chris Farr on saxophones, and a rhythm section. With the exception of "Birdland," the music is strictly bebop, with plenty of screaming trumpet and heated playing; Wallace's alto outbursts often take honors. Highlights include "Manteca," "Cajun Cookin'," "Milestones" and a hyper "It Don't Mean a Thing.”

Tom Garling

Arranger, Assistant Producer, Composer, Guitar, Trombone

Marko Marcinko

Arranger, Drums, Percussion

Phil Palombi

Bass (Acoustic), Guitar (Bass)

Maynard Ferguson

Flugelhorn, Liner Notes, Primary Artist, Producer, Trumpet

Dan Zank

Keyboards, Piano

Valerie Whitesell

Production Coordination

Christopher Farr

Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor)

Matt Wallace

Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor), Vocals

Scott Englebright

Trumpet

Carl Fischer

Trumpet

Larry Foyen

Trumpet