In 1985, While in High School, our band director was contacted to see if he wanted to bring Maynard Ferguson to the school as a fundraiser, and when he asked the students, it was an instant yes! I had discovered Maynard’s music earlier in the year when the guys in the trumpet section introduced me to his world, and I loved the energy you get when you hear jazz. The first CD I bought was Body & Soul, but I collected many of them during this time, and now I can stream all his music. I have a Favorites playlist which includes many favorite songs from over the years, including Birdland, Fireshaker, Sesame Street, Central Park, La Fiesta, and Espresso.

Once the band parents agreed, we got a date, signed the contracts, and now it was up to us to promote it. One of the band’s parents worked for the Contra Costa Times and made a great flyer for us to pass out, which also published in the paper. We had a good-sized audience, but I cannot remember how many were there as I was so amazed Maynard was at our school.

I remember he had a rider, a request list from the artists on what they needed for the night. There was water, snacks, and one of the parents brought in her ironing board, which was one of the requests, and Maynard signed it after the event. I was so jealous as I wanted his autograph but was too shy to ask, then something amazing happened. After the show, one of his guys comes over to me and asks if Maynard could get a ride to the airport? I said I had a van and would be happy to drive. 

Fifteen minutes later I am getting into my Toyota Van with Maynard Ferguson in my passenger seat and a few fellas in the back. I now have a hundred voices in my head: be sure not to crash, that Maynard next to me, should I talk to him, will he ask me what song is my favorite, is he tired, is it weird If I play his CD, Maynard is next to me, and most importantly don’t miss the exit for the Oakland Airport. I did ask if he wanted the air on and he said that would be great.

We arrived safely at the airport and did not talk much, but a few members of his band were talking back and forth all the way. As I pulled up along the curb, Maynard asked his manager for something, and he grabbed a promotional photo, asked my name, signed it for me, and said, you’re a good driver.

On the way home, I kept playing the moments of the night in my head and realized my van now reeked of alcohol, lol.  A night that has stayed with me ever since.