The Maynard Ferguson Sextet
Maynard Ferguson · 1965
36 min · 6 tracks · jazz
A vibrant tapestry of hard bop, featuring intricate brass arrangements and dynamic improvisations that showcase Ferguson's virtuosic trumpet.
Top tracks — play these first
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Love Theme From "The Sandpiper" — This track highlights the lush orchestration and emotional depth characteristic of Ferguson's style, merging melodic beauty with technical prowess.
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Summertime — Ferguson's rendition of this classic showcases his ability to reinterpret well-known standards, infusing them with fresh energy and improvisational flair.
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To and Fro Start here — Opening the album, this track sets the tone with lively rhythms and call-and-response sections that exemplify the sextet's tight interplay.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album displays strong brass arrangements and improvisation, marking Ferguson's distinct style in jazz.
What we noticed
- The album features intricate brass arrangements that shift between tightly arranged sections and open improvisational passages.
- Each track showcases Ferguson's trumpet prominently, often leading the melody while the other instruments provide harmonic support.
- The tempo varies significantly across tracks, with some maintaining a brisk pace while others slow down to allow for more expressive solos.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady melodic explorations throughout
- ideal for focused listening sessions
- vibrant arrangements with rich textures
- inviting warm ambiance for gatherings
Maybe skip if you
- seeking fast-paced excitement
- prefer standalone tracks only
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album marked Ferguson's emergence as a bandleader and key jazz figure.
- Career context
- Released in 1965, The Maynard Ferguson Sextet was a significant album for Ferguson, marking his emergence as a prominent bandleader following his stint with Stan Kenton. This album followed the success of his previous works and showcased his ability to blend diverse jazz influences into cohesive arrangements.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Buddy Rich· Chuck Mangione· Doc Severinsen
Tracklist
- 1 To and Fro Start here 5:27
- 2 Love Theme From "The Sandpiper" 4:43
- 3 No More Wood 4:43
- 4 April Fool 4:04
- 5 Summertime 10:15
- 6 Between Races 7:38
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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