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Maynard Ferguson’s Birdland Dream Band: A Performance Chronology of the Years 1960–1961

Thomas Herb

Introduction

This article traces the specific live performance dates of the Maynard Ferguson Orchestra year by year, from 1960 to 1961. It is intended to be the second of a series that will cover the entire nine-year run of Ferguson’s New York-based ensemble. A full chronology with citations is found at the end of this article.

Please see the first installment of this series covering the years 1956–1959.

1960

Pep's advertisement

Philadelphia Inquirer
Janary 29, 1960, p.11.

After three years as a perfoming ensemble, Ferguson and his band were reaching new heights as 1960 began. They were contracted to perform for twelve weeks of the year at Birdland and had a recording contract with Roulette Records. This gave the band a financial foundation that allowed it to be a successful working band. Adding to that financial foundation were frequent performances at nearby clubs such as the Red Hill Inn, Sunnybrook Ballroom, Pep’s, and the Ritz Ballroom. Summertime added regular appearances at festivals and amusement parks such as Hershey Park, Steel Pier, the Newport Jazz Festival, Lake Compounce, Brandywine Music Box, and Lambertville Music Circus. Finally, the schedule was filled in with performances at college homecoming dances, proms, and other one-off events. In 1961, Joyce Ackers wrote that the band was “chalking up at least one hundred college dates this year alone” and that they had become the “college dream band.” [1] Put all together, the 1960–61 era Ferguson Band was highly successful and very active (200+ known performance dates per year), while maintaining a stable home base in the New York City area.

Starting off the year with a two-week Birdland run, Ferguson also made himself available for some guest appearances and sideman work. In January, he played on Sascha Burland’s Swingin’ the Jingles session and appeared on the Jack Kane Hour television show in Canada. February included the third and fourth weeks of the year at Birdland.

Ford's Theater advertisement

Baltimore Sun
February 13, 1960, p.11.

DateEvent
1960-01-01Red Hill Inn, Pennsauken, NJ
1960-01-07 thru 20Birdland, New York, NY
1960-01Swingin’ the Jingles recording session
1960-01-18Jack Kane Hour TV show
1960-01-23Sunnybrook Ballroom, Pottstown, PA
1960-01-24Ritz Ballroom, Bridgeport, CT
1960-01-29 thru 02-03Pep’s, Philadelphia, PA
1960-02-05Winter House Party — Sargent Gymnasium, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME
1960-02-13Ford’s Theater, Baltimore, MD
1960-02-14 2 pmField House, US Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
1960-02-18 thru 03-03Birdland, New York, NY
1960-03-05 (3–5 pm)Gammon Gymnasium, Hampden-Sydney College, Hampden-Sydney, VA
1960-03-06Tantilla Garden, Richmond, VA
1960-03-12Roseland Ballroom, Holyoke, MA
1960-03-13Ritz Ballroom, Bridgeport, CT

The Ferguson Orchestra entered the studio in March to record what would be issued as the Newport Suite album as well as a 45-rpm single intended for the jukebox market. The personnel for the sessions was as follows:

Jimmy Ford (as), Joe Farrell, Willie Maiden (ts), Frank Hittner (bar), Don Ellis, Chet Ferretti, Rick Kiefer (t), Mike Zagatini, Charles Greenlea (tb), Jaki Byard (p), Aubrey Tosin (b), Stu Martin (d)

Around this time, Down Beat reported that vocalist Anne Marie Moss was no longer with the group and was working as a single. The same report stated that Slide Hampton was again writing more arrangements for the band. [2]

April saw the group keeping close to their New York base. They played their fifth and sixth weeks of the year at Birdland, followed by a ten-day stint as part of the “Greatest Easter Show” at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater.

Brooklyn Paramount advertisement

New York Daily News
April 15, 1960, p.198.

DateEvent
1960-03-15 and 16Newport Suite recording sessions
1960-03-19Inter-Fraternity Council Weekend — Grace Hall, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
1960-03-20El Rancho, Woodlyn, PA
1960-03-22Newport Suite recording session
1960-03-23Centennial Gymnasium, Bloomsburg State College, Bloomsburg, PA
1960-03-26Castle Farm, Cincinnati, OH
1960-03-30 thru 04-13Birdland, New York, NY
1960-04-03Auditorium, Morristown High School, Morristown, NJ
1960-04-15 thru 25Greatest Easter Show — Paramount Theater, Brooklyn, NY
1960-04-27Drake Relays Dance — Drake University, Des Moines, IA
1960-04-30North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
1960-05-06Massachusetts Institute of Technology Inter-Fraternity Council Ball — Hotel Statler Ballroom, Cambridge, MA
1960-05-07Gymnasium, Harpur College, SUNY Endicott, NY
1960-05-14Sunnybrook Ballroom, Pottstown, PA
1960-05-15Ritz Ballroom, Bridgeport, CT
1960-05-18Frolics Ballroom, Allentown, PA
1960-05-18Memorial Gymnasium, Liberty High School, Bethlehem, PA

In May, the Ferguson band began their schedule of summer festivals and amusement park appearances by opening the season at the Hershey Park Starlight Ballroom. June included amusement parks Lake Compounce in Connecticut and Idora Park in Youngstown, Ohio, in addition to the seventh and eighth weeks at Birdland for 1960. The July 21 issue of Down Beat also lists an undated performance at Hotel Bradford in Boston during this timeframe. [3] In an interview, Ferguson stated that he no longer has a regular vocalist and only hires them for occasions such as proms. [4]

DateEvent
1960-05-21Starlight Ballroom, Hershey Park, Hershey, PA
1960-05-22Linwood Ballroom, Edison, NJ
1960-05-28Piedmont Jazz Festival — Oriental Shrine Club, Greensboro, NC
1960-06-03 thru 05Red Hill Inn, Pennsauken, NJ
1960-06-10Yale University Commencement Formal — New Haven Lawn Club, New Haven, CT
1960-06-11Lake Compounce, Bristol, CT
1960-06-15Idora Park, Youngstown, OH
1960-06-19Ocean Beach Park, New London, CT
1960-06-XXHotel Bradford, Boston, MA
1960-06-23 thru 07-06Birdland, New York, NY
1960-06-25in-store appearance at Abraham and Strauss, New York, NY

The group appeared at the 1960 Newport Jazz Festival for the third year in a row. The personnel for this performance was:

Lanny Morgan (as), Joe Farrell, Willie Maiden (ts), Frank Hittner (bar), Chet Ferretti, Rick Kiefer, Jerry Tyree (t), Kenny Rupp, Mike Zwerin (tb), Jaki Byard (p), Charlie Saunders (b), Stu Martin (d)

Brandywine Music Box advertisement

Sunday News
July 10, 1960, p.21.

A few weeks later in July, the group had a weeklong engagement at the Brandywine Music Box in Concordville, Pennsylvania. The billing was shared with vocalist Chris Connor. On opening night, Ferguson was driving from New York with his manager, Ira Mangel, and was pulled over by New Jersey police. According to newspaper articles, Ferguson’s black Jaguar matched the description of the car stolen by a man suspected of killing two policemen the previous day. Ferguson also fit the physical description of the killer. He was taken into the police station, where he and Mangel had to make several phone calls to verify their identities. Ferguson was eventually sent on his way with a speeding ticket for going 75 mph. They arrived at the Brandywine Music Box over an hour late, and Chris Connor had to fill in until his arrival. Newspapers reported that due to car trouble, Ferguson also arrived late the next three evenings. [5]

After the Music Box shows, the group played a weeklong run at the Marine Ballroom at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City and some one-night stops at Lake Compounce and the Music Barn in Lenox, Massachusetts.

Several significant medical situations occurred during the month of July. A Down Beat article titled “New Teeth for Mr. Chops” detailed a dental procedure Ferguson underwent to address a widening gap in his front teeth attributed to a drunk man smacking the bell of his trumpet six years previously. Ferguson reportedly required fourteen injections over seven hours to get his newly capped teeth. A few days later he was on the bandstand but was unable to play. By the third night, however, he was back to his normal technique. [6]

Tenor saxophonist Joe Farrell also had a medical emergency during this month. Local newspapers reported he had an attack of appendicitis on the way to the Music Barn. He was taken directly to hospital rather than the gig to have his appendix removed. The article notes Farrell would be in the hospital for a week. [7] In a review of an August performance at the Melody Top in Pine Brook, New Jersey, Ira Gitler mentioned both Ferguson’s dental work and Farrell’s appendectomy. He also noted that Farrell’s substitute (and eventual replacement), Don Menza, had also had a similar operation recently. [8]

In August, the group also played Hershey Park, was seen on the Ed Sullivan television show (possibly recorded five months earlier), and appeared at the Randall’s Island Jazz Festival.

DateEvent
1960-06-30Newport Jazz Festival — Newport, RI
1960-07-09Virginia Beach Jazz Festival — Convention Center, Virginia Beach, VA
1960-07-10Ritz Ballroom, Bridgeport, CT
1960-07-11 thru 16Brandywine Music Box, Concordville, PA [MF late to gig; pulled over for murder investigation]
1960-07-23 thru 29Marine Ballroom, Steel Pier, Atlantic City, NJ
1960-07-30Lake Compounce, Bristol, CT
1960-07-31Music Barn, Lenox, MA
1960-08-04Danceland, Pittsburgh, PA
1960-08-06Starlight Ballroom, Hershey Park, Hershey, PA
1960-08-09 thru 14Melody Top, Pine Brook, NJ
1960-08-14Ed Sullivan television show broadcast, New York, NY
1960-08-19 thru 21Sterling Forest Music Circus, Tuxedo, NY
1960-08-21New York Jazz Festival — Randall’s Island Stadium, New York, NY

In the two months since the Newport performance, two new musicians had joined the group: trombonist Bob Burgess, a veteran of Ferguson’s 1957 band, and drummer Rufus ‘Speedy’ Jones, who had most recently been in Woody Herman’s band. The festival program for Randall’s Island listed the following personnel:

Lanny Morgan (as), Joe Farrell, Willie Maiden (ts), Frank Hittner (bar), Chet Ferretti, Rick Kiefer, Jerry Tyree (t), Kenny Rupp, Bob Burgess (tb), Jaki Byard (p), Charlie Saunders (b), Rufus Jones (d)

Chicago Urban League Jazz Festival advertisement

Chicago Tribune
August 20, 1960, p.18.

Quaker City Jazz Festival advertisement

Philadelphia Inquirer
July 24, 1960, p.84.

For the last week in August, the group was booked for a stay in Chicago. This included a weeklong engagement at the Sutherland Hotel (which had to expand its stage to accommodate the ensemble), as well as an appearance at the Chicago Urban League Benefit Jazz Festival at Comiskey Park. However, the Philadelphia Inquirer in July announced that the Maynard Ferguson Orchestra would be appearing at the Quaker City Jazz Festival at Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia at the same time. [9] Ferguson’s manager Ira Mangel threatened to sue the promoter of the Quaker City Jazz Festival in a Philadelphia Daily News article on July 26. [10] In an article the next day, George Wein, one of the Quaker City festival promoters, stated that Ferguson had agreed to the Philadelphia festival when he was at the Newport Jazz Festival, also a Wein event. [11] In spite of the dispute, subsequent advertisements continued to list Ferguson on the Quaker City lineup. There is no evidence to suggest that he did not complete his scheduled Chicago run at the Sutherland Hotel, closing on August 28. [12]

In September, the group played their ninth and tenth week at Birdland. After this stint, the group had another performance scheduled in Philadelphia, sponsored by WHAT-FM. The Philadelphia News stated that this would be the first exposure for Ferguson’s new vocalist, Billy Fields. [13] But the show was cancelled just one day before it was to start. In a Philadelphia Daily News article, the event’s promoters blamed conflicting personalities as well as a lack of advance ticket sales. [14]

Billy Fields is reported to have been an assistant in promoter Sid Bernstein’s office. He attended a rehearsal for Ferguson’s group and “got up to the mike for laughs. The band flipped. He is the new vocalist with the Ferguson Orchestra at the Red Hill Inn.” [15]

DateEvent
1960-08-24 thru 28Sutherland Hotel, Chicago, IL
1960-08-27Urban League Jazz Festival — Comiskey Park, Chicago, IL
1960-08-28Quaker City Jazz Festival — Connie Mack Stadium, Philadelphia, PA [cancelled]
1960-08-29Music Circus, Lambertville, NJ
1960-09-01 thru 14Birdland, New York, NY
1960-09-07 thru 10High Fidelity Music Show — Trade Show Building, New York, NY
1960-09-16WHAT-FM Music Show — Town Hall, Philadelphia, PA [cancelled]

For the next part of the fall, the band hit several of their usual performing stops and a few college homecoming gigs. This included the Ritz Ballroom (twice), Pep’s, and the Red Hill Inn. In mid-October, the band entered the studio to record tracks that would become part of the Let’s Face the Music and Dance and Maynard ’61 albums. Only one position changed from the Randall’s Island personnel, with trombonist Slide Hampton returning for this session. The lineup listed for these sessions was as follows:

Lanny Morgan (as), Joe Farrell, Willie Maiden (ts), Frank Hittner (bar), Chet Ferretti, Rick Kiefer, Jerry Tyree (t), Kenny Rupp, Slide Hampton (tb), Jaki Byard (p), Charlie Saunders (b), Rufus Jones (d)

DateEvent
1960-09-17Commodore Ballroom, Lowell, MA
1960-09-18Ritz Ballroom, Bridgeport, CT
1960-09-20 thru 25Red Hill Inn, Pennsauken, NJ
1960-09-30 and 10-01Homecoming Dances — Big Gymnasium, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, VA
1960-10-03 thru 08Pep’s, Philadelphia, PA
1960-10-11,12,14Let’s Face The Music and Dance/Maynard ’61 recording sessions

The group then travelled to the Midwest for several homecoming dances in Illinois and Iowa before doing a week at Haig’s Lounge in Detroit. Ferguson’s son, Bentley, was born during this engagement, on November 3. Ferguson recalled an anecdote related to this event in his biography:

When my son was born I was on the road. Jaki Byard was on the band and we didn’t get paid. We played for a week at this place in Detroit and Jaki got so mad he said, “Geez, you stayed and you played the gig and your son was born, and this mother....” and he reached inside this guy’s grand piano and ripped all the strings out! [16]
DateEvent
1960-10-16Ritz Ballroom, Bridgeport, CT
1960-10-20Let’s Face The Music and Dance/Maynard ’61 recording session
1960-10-22Homecoming Ball — Lakeside Dining Hall, State University, Oswego, NY
1960-10-23Recreation Hall, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA
1960-10-28Fall Jazz Festival — Huff Gymnasium, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
1960-10-29Homecoming Dance — Drake University, Des Moines, IA
1960-10-31 thru 11-6Haig’s, Detroit, MI

The remainder of November included another appearance at Sunnybrook as well as the eleventh and twelfth weeks of the year at Birdland.

DateEvent
1960-11-11Fordham Fall Weekend — Fordham University, NY
1960-11-12Sunnybrook Ballroom, Pottstown, PA
1960-11-13 3 pmMosque Theater, Newark, NJ
1960-11-13Academy of Music, Philadelphia, PA
1960-11-17Withrow Court, Miami University, Oxford, OH
1960-11-18Fall Dance — Peirce Hall, Kenyon College, Gambier, OH
1960-11-19Junior Prom — Alumni Gymnasium, Clarkson College of Technology, Potsdam, NY
1960-11-23El Rancho, Woodlyn, PA
1960-11-24 thru 12-07Birdland, New York, NY

December included several sessions for two collaboration albums with singer Chris Connor. Under a special agreement between their respective record labels, one album (Two’s Company) would be released under Ferguson’s contracted Roulette label, and one (Double Exposure) would be released under Connor’s contracted label, Atlantic. The personnel lineups for the December 5 and 14 sessions were as follows:

Lanny Morgan (as), Joe Farrell, Willie Maiden (ts), Frank Hittner (bar), Chet Ferretti, Rick Kiefer, Rolf Ericson (t), Kenny Rupp, Ray Winslow (tb), Jaki Byard (p), Charlie Saunders (b), Rufus Jones (d), Chris Connor (v)

On December 15 and 22 the personnel was:

Lanny Morgan (as), Joe Farrell, Willie Maiden (ts), Frank Hittner (bar), Chet Ferretti, Bill Berry, Rolf Ericson (t), Kenny Rupp, Ray Winslow (tb), Jaki Byard (p), John Neves (b), Rufus Jones (d), Chris Connor (v)

The end of 1960 featured the band at many of their familiar stops. There were two performances at the Ritz Ballroom, another night at the Sunnybrook Ballroom, and two more weekends at the Red Hill Inn. There was also another recording session on December 21 that would be part of the Maynard ’61 album. The personnel for this date was:

Lanny Morgan (as), Joe Farrell, Willie Maiden (ts), Frank Hittner (bar), Chet Ferretti, Rick Kiefer, Rolf Ericson (t), Kenny Rupp, Ray Winslow (tb), Jaki Byard (p), Charlie Saunders (b), Rufus Jones (d)

DateEvent
1960-12-05Chris Connor recording sessions
1960-12-09University of Bridgeport Formal — Ritz Ballroom, Bridgeport, CT
1960-12-10Junior Ring Dance — Pennsylvania Military College, Chester, PA
1960-12-11Ritz Ballroom, Bridgeport, CT
1960-12-14 and 15Chris Connor recording sessions
1960-12-17Sunnybrook Ballroom, Pottstown, PA
1960-12-18Fort Hill Restaurant, Scarsdale, NY
1960-12-21Maynard ’61 recording session
1960-12-22Chris Connor recording session
1960-12-24 thru 26Red Hill Inn, Pennsauken, NJ
1960-12-26Commodore Ballroom, Lowell, MA
1960-12-28Rutland Hospital Ball — Auditorium, Mt. St. Joseph Academy, Rutland VT
1960-12-30 thru 01-02Red Hill Inn, Pennsauken, NJ

1961

The January 1961 schedule featured two weeks at the Sutherland Hotel in Chicago and then two weeks back in New York at Birdland. During the Birdland engagement, the group had three recording sessions to complete the tracks needed for the Maynard ’61 album and the Chris Connor collaborations.

A Down Beat article portrayed a scene at the Sutherland Hotel in Chicago, where Ferguson and Willie Maiden worked with pianos and film projectors on the soundtrack for a new television series focused on racing cars. [17] This is the first published mention of the latest addition to the Ferguson portfolio: his work on an ABC television series, at first called The Racers, but which would eventually be titled Straightaway. Through the year Ferguson’s feelings concerning working in television and his participation in this project were published widely. [18]

On January 20, the band recorded four more tracks which would be released either on the Maynard ’61 LP, or years later on a CD with the same title. The personnel listed for this date was:

Lanny Morgan (as), Joe Farrell, Willie Maiden (ts), Frank Hittner (bar), Chet Ferretti, Bill Berry, Rolf Ericson (t), Kenny Rupp, Ray Winslow (tb), Jaki Byard (p), Charlie Saunders (b), Rufus Jones (d)

Three days later, on January 23, they recorded more tracks with Chris Connor using the same personnel. The final tracks were recorded on January 30, with John Neves listed as back on bass.

DateEvent
1961-01-04 thru 15Sutherland Hotel, Chicago, IL
1961-01-19 thru 02-01Birdland, New York, NY
1961-01-20Maynard ’61 recording session
1961-01-23 and 30Chris Connor recording sessions

February started out with a trip to the Midwest for performances at DePauw University in Indiana and at Keil Auditorium in Missouri. The rest of the month was filled with school dances and ballroom dance gigs. There is a mention in Down Beat of a fiftieth anniversary party for the McCann Erickson advertising agency during this period. [19] This performance has been confirmed as taking place on February 16, 1961 at the Waldorf Hotel in New York, and on this occasion the Ferguson band was augmented by two violins, a viola, and an electric bass. [20] The month of March began with a two-week stint at Birdland.

DateEvent
1961-02-01Meharry Hall, DePauw University, Greencastle, IN
1961-02-06Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, MO
1961-02-10Richmond Professional Institute, Richmond, VA
1961-02-11Woodberry Forest School, Woodberry Forest, VA
1961-02-12El Rancho, Woodlyn, PA
1961-02-16McCann Erickson 50th anniversary party — Waldorf Hotel, New York, NY
1961-02-17Military Ball — Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA
1961-02-18University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
1961-02-25Colgate University, Hamilton, NY
1961-02-26 2 pmRhode Island College, Providence, RI
1961-02-26Ritz Ballroom, Bridgeport, CT
1961-03-02 thru 15Birdland, New York, NY
1961-03-13Jazz Jubilee — Grand Ballroom, Presidential Arms Hotel, Washington, DC

The jazz musical Impluse! opened in Toronto on March 20, 1961. [21] This production included dancer Carmen de Lavallade, Nina Simone and her trio, the percussion ensemble of Babatunde Olatunji, and the full Maynard Ferguson Orchestra, with Ferguson appearing as “Big Music Man”. [22] When the show’s star host, Brendan Behan, failed to appear for a matinee performance, Ferguson read Behan’s lines to the sparse audience. [23] After a week’s try-out in Toronto, Impulse! was scheduled to move to New York’s Royale Theatre (with Gerry Mulligan assuming the role taken by Ferguson), but the production collapsed during the Canadian run. Down Beat later called this show “ill-fated”, adding that Ferguson “stayed on” in Canada to appear on a television show dedicated to the late Jack Kane. [24]

Kane was a band leader on Canadian television who often feature Ferguson on his show as a guest artist. He had died on March 27, 1961, and Ferguson hosted the memorial program that aired on Monday, April 3. According to the Calgary Herald article mourning Kane’s death, [25] shows were videotaped on Wednesday to be aired on the following Monday. Assuming that this show was taped on a similar schedule, it would have been recorded on Wednesday, March 29.

By April 1, Ferguson and his band were back in the United States, performing at the Sunnybrook Ballroom on Saturday, opening the Steel Pier season on Easter Sunday, and performing at Sunset in Carroltown, Pennsylvania on Easter Monday (the same date that the Jack Kane show aired).

DateEvent
1961-03-20 thru 25Impulse! The New Wave Revue — O’Keefe Centre, Toronto, Ont.
1961-03-29Jack Kane memorial tribute television program (likely recording date; aired 04-03)
1961-04-01Sunnybrook Ballroom, Pottstown, PA
1961-04-02Marine Ballroom, Steel Pier, Atlantic City, NJ
1961-04-03Sunset, Carrolltown, PA

The remainder of the spring consisted of a series of one-night events. These included school dances, amusement park appearances and ballroom dances.

DateEvent
1961-04-08Benjamin Franklin Hotel, Philadelphia, PA
1961-04-09Ritz Ballroom, Bridgeport, CT
1961-04-14Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI
1961-04-15Prom — Ball State University, Muncie, IN
1961-04-18Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
1961-04-23Spring Weekend — Carpenter Field House, University of Delaware, Dover, DE
1961-04-28Senior Ball — Trinity College, Hartford, CT
1961-04-29Hampton Beach Casino, Hampton, VA
1961-04-30Cavalcade of Jazz — Academy of Music, Philadelphia, PA
1961-05-05Utica College Spring Weekend — Twin Ponds Country Club, Utica, NY
1961-05-06Junior Prom — Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA
1961-05-08Manos Theater, Indiana, PA
1961-05-09Hagerstown Musical Society, Hagerstown, MD
1961-05-10Duke University, Durham, NC
1961-05-13Starlight Ballroom, Hershey Park, Hershey, PA
1961-05-20Prom — Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN
1961-05-23East Tennessee State College, Johnson City, TN
1961-05-27Lake Compounce, Bristol, CT

Down Beat reported that as soon as Don Menza graduated from State University of New York, he would be replacing Joe Farrell in the tenor chair. [26] Menza himself recalled his first official night on the job, heading down to Birdland on a Friday night. [27] In Ralph Jungheim’s Maynard!, Menza recalled being approached by Ferguson about two weeks before finals. He took the job and stayed with the band for a year and a half. [28]. The group played at Sunnybrook on June 3, where the band was recorded by Wally Heider. Recordings of this evening reside in the Library of Congress, and Don Menza is named several times as a soloist throughout the night, along with vocalist Marge Blyden.

On June 20 and 21, the band recorded tracks for the Straightaway television show. Slightly earlier master numbers show that they recorded four additional tracks earlier in the month. The personnel for these sessions was:

Lanny Morgan (as), Don Menza, Willie Maiden (ts), Frank Hittner (bar), Chet Ferretti, Bill Berry, Don Rader (t), Kenny Rupp, Ray Winslow (tb), Jaki Byard (p), John Neves (b), Rufus Jones (d)

Red Hill Inn advertisement

Philadelphia Inquirer
June 9, 1961, p.13.

DateEvent
1961-06-03Sunnybrook Ballroom, Pottstown, PA
1961-06-07West View Park, Pittsburgh, PA
1961-06-08 thru 14Birdland, New York, NY
1961-06-09Daily News Jazz Festival — Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
1961-06-16Red Hill Inn, Pennsauken, NJ
1961-06-20 and 21Straightaway recording session
1961-06Roulette 45-rpm (unissued) recording session
1961-06-23Freedomland Amusement Park, Bronx, NY
1961-06-24Starlight Ballroom, Hershey Park, Hershey, PA
1961-06-26Music Circus, Lambertville, NJ
1961-06-28Idora Park, Youngstown, OH
1961-06-30Music At Newport — Newport, RI
1961-07-02Music At Newport — Newport, RI

The remainder of the summer included steady work at familiar performance venues. Three weeks at Birdland (one week in July and two weeks in August), plus a week each at Atlantic City’s Steel Pier, Club 46 on Cape Cod, and the Minor Key in Detroit. Additional one-night stays include parks such as Lake Compounce and Hershey Park Starlight Ballroom, and a few jazz festival performances at Randall’s Island and the Buffalo Jazz Festival.

DateEvent
1961-07-13 thru 19Birdland, New York, NY
1961-07-21Hampton Beach Casino, Hampton, VA
1961-07-22 day?Lake Compounce, Bristol, CT
1961-07-22 night?Music Under The Stars — Downing Memorial Stadium, Randall’s Island, NY
1961-07-29Buffalo Jazz Festival — War Memorial Stadium, Buffalo, NY
1961-08-03 thru 16Birdland, New York, NY
1961-08-18 thru 24Marine Ballroom, Steel Pier, Atlantic City, NJ
1961-08-26Starlight Ballroom, Hershey Park, Hershey, PA
1961-08-27Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn, NJ
1961-08-28 thru 09-04Club 46, Falmouth Heights, MA
1961-09-05 thru 10Minor Key, Detroit, MI
Edgewater Hotel advertisement

The Gazette
September 14, 1961, p.9.

After finishing up at the Minor Key in Detroit, the group travelled across the border for a ten-day run at the Edgewater Hotel near Montreal. On the last day of the run, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police raided the band’s hotel rooms, and arrested seven band members for possession of marijuana. Newspaper reports listed Chet Ferretti, Linc Milliman, Don Rader, Kenny Rupp, Don Menza, Bill Berry, and Harold Keller as being held without bail until a preliminary inquiry to be held on the following Thursday (six days after the arrest). Berry was also charged with trafficking. Chet Ferretti’s charges were dismissed at the preliminary hearing, with the prosecution failing to link him to possession. Milliman, Rader, Rupp, Menza and Keller were released on $500 bail on September 28. Berry’s bail was set at $1200. On November 7, a trial was held for Milliman, Rader, Rupp, Menza, and Keller, who were sentenced to seven days in jail and fined $100 each. [29] In March 1962, Berry was fined $300 and sentenced to fifteen days in jail. [30]

The band performed again on September 30 and continued to perform one-nighters until returning to Birdland in November.

DateEvent
1961-09-15 thru 24Edgewater Hotel, Pointe-Claire, Que.
1961-09-24Band drug bust
1961-09-30Ritter-Clark Gymnasium, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
1961-10-01Cavalcade of Jazz — Academy of Music, Philadelphia, PA
1961-10-07Homecoming — Wright Auditorium, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
1961-10-08El Rancho, Woodlyn, PA
1961-10-14Fireman’s Ball — Philadelphia, PA
1961-10-22Elms Ballroom, Youngstown, OH
1961-10-27 or 28Harlem Jazz Festival — 369th Regiment Armory, New York, NY
1961-10-28 2:30 pmBrown Homecoming Dance — Men’s Gymnasium, Western Michigan College, Kalamazoo, MI
1961-11-03Dell-Ru Ballroom, Revere, MA
1961-11-07Start of 7-day jail sentences from September arrests
1961-11-10Apollo Theater, New York, NY
1961-11-16Sunnybrook Ballroom, Pottstown, PA
1961-11-17‘Prince’–Tiger Dance — Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
1961-11-19Linwood Ballroom, Edison, NJ

The holiday season had the band performing for two weeks at Birdland, at dances at Sunnybrook, and then returning to the Red Hill Inn for the New Year’s weekend again. This marked the fifth straight New Year’s for Ferguson at the Red Hill Inn. [31] They also entered the studio to record the tracks for the Maynard ’62 album. The listed personnel for these tracks was:

Lanny Morgan (as), Don Menza, Willie Maiden (ts), Frank Hittner (bar), Chet Ferretti, Nat Pavone, Don Rader (t), Kenny Rupp, Slide Hampton (tb), Mike Abene (p), Linc Milliman (b), Rufus Jones (d)

DateEvent
1961-11-23 thru 12-06Birdland, New York, NY
1961-12-01McMillin Theater, Columbia University, New York, NY
1961-12Maynard ’62 recording session
1961-12-23Sunnybrook Ballroom, Pottstown, PA
1961-12-28Greek Christmas Dance — Latin Casino, Cherry Hill, NJ
1961-12-29 thru 1962-01-01Red Hill Inn, Pennsauken, NJ

By the end of 1961, change was in the air for the Ferguson organization. The Philadelphia Daily News reported that Ferguson had split with manager Ira Mangel. [32] After their January 1962 Birdland date, the band would not appear at the club again for twenty months. The recording contract with Roulette Records was in dispute and would end up in court. The television series Straightaway was not using the band tracks in the way that Ferguson had anticipated, and the show would end up being cancelled within months due to low ratings. All these events contributed to destabilizing the group. The next installment will cover these waning years of Maynard Ferguson’s Birdland-based band.

Full 1960–1961 Chronology with References

DateEventSource
1960-01-01Red Hill Inn, Pennsauken, NJPhiladelphia Inquirer 1/1/60 p.12
1960-01-07 thru 20Birdland, New York, NYDown Beat 1/17/60 p.44
1960-01Swingin’ the Jingles recording sessionThe Jazz Discography Online
1960-01-18Jack Kane Hour TV showOttawa Citizen 1/18/60 p.14
1960-01-23Sunnybrook Ballroom, Pottstown, PAPhiladelphia Inquirer 1/23/60 p.9
1960-01-24Ritz Ballroom, Bridgeport, CTBridgeport Post 1/24/60 p.43
1960-01-29 thru 02-03Pep’s, Philadelphia, PAPhiladelphia Inquirer 1/29/60 p.11
1960-02-05Winter House Party — Sargent Gymnasium, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, MEBowdoin Orient 1/13/60 p.1
1960-02-13Ford’s Theater, Baltimore, MDEvening Sun 2/13/60 p.11
1960-02-14 2 pmField House, US Naval Academy, Annapolis, MDBaltimore Sun 2/14/60 p.14
1960-02-18 thru 03-03Birdland, New York, NYNew York Daily News 2/16/60 p.37
1960-03-05 (3–5 pm)Gammon Gymnasium, Hampden-Sydney College, Hampden-Sydney, VARotunda 3/2/1960 p.1
1960-03-06Tantilla Garden, Richmond, VARichmond Times Dispatch 2/28/60 p.90
1960-03-12Roseland Ballroom, Holyoke, MAMount Holyoke News 3/11/1960 p.8
1960-03-13Ritz Ballroom, Bridgeport, CTBridgeport Post 3/13/60 p.46
1960-03-15 and 16Newport Suite recording sessionsMosaic set
1960-03-19Inter-Fraternity Council Weekend — Grace Hall, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PABrown and White 3/11/1960 p.1
1960-03-20El Rancho, Woodlyn, PAMorning News 3/19/60 p.32
1960-03-22Newport Suite recording sessionMosaic set
1960-03-23Centennial Gymnasium, Bloomsburg State College, Bloomsburg, PADaily Item 3/5/60 p.5
1960-03-26Castle Farm, Cincinnati, OHCincinnati Enquirer 3/20/60 p.102
1960-03-30 thru 04-13Birdland, New York, NYNew York Daily News 3/28/60 p.49
1960-04-03Auditorium, Morristown High School, Morristown, NJMadison Eagle 3/31/60 p.2
1960-04-15 thru 25Greatest Easter Show — Paramount Theater, Brooklyn, NYNew York Daily News 4/15/60 p.198
1960-04-27Drake Relays Dance — Drake University, Des Moines, IADrake Times 4/19/60 p.1
1960-04-30North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NCThe Technician 4/28/60 p.1
1960-05-06Massachusetts Institute of Technology Inter-Fraternity Council Ball — Hotel Statler Ballroom, Cambridge, MAThe Tech 5/06/60 p.1
1960-05-07Gymnasium, Harpur College, SUNY Endicott, NYColonial News 05/06/60 p.1
1960-05-14Sunnybrook Ballroom, Pottstown, PAMorning Call 5/12/60 p.58
1960-05-15Ritz Ballroom, Bridgeport, CTBridgeport Post 5/15/60 p.50
1960-05-18Frolics Ballroom, Allentown, PAMorning Call 5/12/60 p.58
1960-05-18Memorial Gymnasium, Liberty High School, Bethlehem, PABillboard 4/18/1960 p.57
1960-05-21Starlight Ballroom, Hershey Park, Hershey, PASunday News 5/15/60 p.28
1960-05-22Linwood Ballroom, Edison, NJCentral New Jersey Home 5/22/60 p.43
1960-05-28Piedmont Jazz Festival — Oriental Shrine Club, Greensboro, NCHigh Point Enterprise 5/22/60 p.35
1960-06-03 thru 05Red Hill Inn, Pennsauken, NJPhiladelphia Inquirer 6/3/60 p.19
1960-06-10Yale University Commencement Formal — New Haven Lawn Club, New Haven, CTYale Daily News 4/21/60 p.1
1960-06-11Lake Compounce, Bristol, CTHartford Courant 6/10/60 p.10
1960-06-15Idora Park, Youngstown, OHSalem News 6/13/60 p.2
1960-06-19Ocean Beach Park, New London, CTHartford Courant 6/19/60 p.30A
1960-06-XXHotel Bradford, Boston, MADown Beat 7/21/60 p.70
1960-06-23 thru 07-06Birdland, New York, NYNew York Daily News 6/18/60 p.12
1960-06-25in-store appearance at Abraham and Strauss, New York, NYNew York Daily News 6/23/60 p.504
1960-06-30Newport Jazz Festival — Newport, RIHartford Courant 6/28/60 p.22
1960-07-09Virginia Beach Jazz Festival — Convention Center, Virginia Beach, VARichmond Times Dispatch 6/19/60 p.97
1960-07-10Ritz Ballroom, Bridgeport, CTBridgeport Post 7/7/60 p.21
1960-07-11 thru 16Brandywine Music Box, Concordville, PA [MF late to gig; pulled over for murder investigation]Sunday News 7/10/60 p.21, Morning News 7/12/1960 p.38
1960-07-23 thru 29Marine Ballroom, Steel Pier, Atlantic City, NJPhiladelphia Daily News 7/22/60 p.31
1960-07-30Lake Compounce, Bristol, CTHartford Courant 7/22/60 p.21
1960-07-31Music Barn, Lenox, MABerkshire Eagle 7/30/60 p.33
1960-08-04Danceland, Pittsburgh, PAPittsburgh Post Gazette 8/4/60 p.27
1960-08-06Starlight Ballroom, Hershey Park, Hershey, PAIntelligencer Journal 8/4/60 p.32
1960-08-09 thru 14Melody Top, Pine Brook, NJThe News 8/9/60 p.15
1960-08-14Ed Sullivan television show broadcast, New York, NYKings County Chronicle 8/9/60 p.4
1960-08-19 thru 21Sterling Forest Music Circus, Tuxedo, NYMorning Call 8/18/60 p.29
1960-08-21New York Jazz Festival — Randall’s Island Stadium, New York, NYNew York Daily News 7/6/60 p.687
1960-08-24 thru 28Sutherland Hotel, Chicago, ILChicago Tribune 8/21/60 p. 131
1960-08-27Urban League Jazz Festival — Comiskey Park, Chicago, ILChicago Tribune 8/20/60 p.18
1960-08-28Quaker City Jazz Festival — Connie Mack Stadium, Philadelphia, PA [cancelled]Philadelphia Inquirer 7/24/60 p.84, 7/26/60 p.39, 7/27/60 p.45
1960-08-29Music Circus, Lambertville, NJMorning Call 8/29/60 p.20
1960-09-01 thru 14Birdland, New York, NYNew York Daily News 9/1/60 p.66
1960-09-07 thru 10High Fidelity Music Show — Trade Show Building, New York, NYNew York Daily News 9/8/60 p.66
1960-09-16WHAT-FM Music Show — Town Hall, Philadelphia, PA [cancelled]Philadelphia Daily News 9/15/60 p.41, 9/16/60 p.65
1960-09-17Commodore Ballroom, Lowell, MANashua Telegraph 9/17/60 p.11
1960-09-18Ritz Ballroom, Bridgeport, CTBridgeport Post 9/16/60 p.20
1960-09-20 thru 25Red Hill Inn, Pennsauken, NJPhiladelphia Inquirer 9/16/60 p.27
1960-09-30 and 10-01Homecoming Dances — Big Gymnasium, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, VAVMI Cadet 9/30/61 p.5
1960-10-03 thru 08Pep’s, Philadelphia, PAPhiladelphia Inquirer 10/3/60 p.12
1960-10-11,12,14Let’s Face The Music and Dance/Maynard ’61 recording sessionsMosaic set
1960-10-15 7:30 pm concertClarke Chapel, Lycoming College, Williamsport, PALycoming Bell 5/6/60 p.1; 10/13/60 p.1
1960-10-15 9 pm danceHomecoming Dance — Dining Room, Lycoming College, Williamsport, PAExpress 10/12/60 p.10
1960-10-16Ritz Ballroom, Bridgeport, CTBridgeport Post 10/14/60 p.21
1960-10-20Let’s Face The Music and Dance/Maynard ’61 recording sessionMosaic set
1960-10-22Homecoming Ball — Lakeside Dining Hall, State University, Oswego, NYOswego Palladium Times 10/19/60 p.12
1960-10-23Recreation Hall, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PADaily Collegian 10/11/60 p.5
1960-10-28Fall Jazz Festival — Huff Gymnasium, University of Illinois, Urbana, ILDecatur Herald 10/23/60 p.33
1960-10-29Homecoming Dance — Drake University, Des Moines, IADes Moines Tribune 10/28/60 p.13
1960-10-31 thru 11-6Haig’s, Detroit, MIDetroit Free Press 11/1/60 p.27
1960-11-11Fordham Fall Weekend — Fordham University, NYFordham Ram 11/3/60 p.6
1960-11-12Sunnybrook Ballroom, Pottstown, PAMercury 11/10/60 p.24
1960-11-13 3 pmMosque Theater, Newark, NJBaltimore Afro-American 10/22/60 p.16
1960-11-13Academy of Music, Philadelphia, PAPhiladelphia Daily News 11/3/60 p.51
1960-11-17Withrow Court, Miami University, Oxford, OHPalladium Item 11/6/60 p.19
1960-11-18Fall Dance — Peirce Hall, Kenyon College, Gambier, OHKenyon Collegian 11/18/60 p.1
1960-11-19Junior Prom — Alumni Gymnasium, Clarkson College of Technology, Potsdam, NYRacquette 11/11/60 p.1
1960-11-23El Rancho, Woodlyn, PADelaware County Daily Times 11/23/60 p.5
1960-11-24 thru 12-07Birdland, New York, NYNew York Daily News 11/24/60 p.180
1960-12-05Chris Connor recording sessionsCD liner notes
1960-12-09University of Bridgeport Formal — Ritz Ballroom, Bridgeport, CTBridgeport Telegram 12/9/60 p.10
1960-12-10Junior Ring Dance — Pennsylvania Military College, Chester, PADome 1/5/61 p.1
1960-12-11Ritz Ballroom, Bridgeport, CTBridgeport Telegram 12/9/60 p.42
1960-12-14 and 15Chris Connor recording sessionsCD liner notes
1960-12-17Sunnybrook Ballroom, Pottstown, PAPhiladelphia Daily News 12/15/60 p.50
1960-12-18Fort Hill Restaurant, Scarsdale, NYFordham Ram 12/15/60 p.5
1960-12-21Maynard ’61 recording sessionMosaic set
1960-12-22Chris Connor recording sessionCD liner notes
1960-12-24 thru 26Red Hill Inn, Pennsauken, NJPhiladelphia Inquirer 12/23/60 p.12
1960-12-26Commodore Ballroom, Lowell, MANashua Telegraph 12/21/60 p.12
1960-12-28Rutland Hospital Ball — Auditorium, Mt. St. Joseph Academy, Rutland VTRutland Daily Herald 12/14/60 p.22
1960-12-30 thru 01-02Red Hill Inn, Pennsauken, NJPhiladelphia Inquirer 12/30/60 p.8
1961-01-04 thru 15Sutherland Hotel, Chicago, ILChicago Tribune 1/1/61 p.47
1961-01-19 thru 02-01Birdland, New York, NYNew York Daily News 1/19/61 p.57
1961-01-20Maynard ’61 recording sessionMosaic set
1961-01-23 and 30Chris Connor recording sessionsCD liner notes
1961-02-01Meharry Hall, DePauw University, Greencastle, INDePauw 2/3/61 p.2
1961-02-06Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, MOSt. Louis Post Dispatch 2/3/61 p.36
1961-02-10Richmond Professional Institute, Richmond, VARichmond Times Dispatch 2/10/61 p.20
1961-02-11Woodberry Forest School, Woodberry Forest, VACharlotte News 2/8/61 p.6
1961-02-12El Rancho, Woodlyn, PADelaware County Daily Times 2/10/61 p.11
1961-02-16McCann Erickson 50th anniversary party — Waldorf Hotel, New York, NYCash Box 2/25/61 p.24
1961-02-17Military Ball — Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PAconcert program
1961-02-18University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VARichmond Times Dispatch 2/17/61 p.20
1961-02-25Colgate University, Hamilton, NYColgate Maroon 2/22/61 p.1
1961-02-26 2 pmRhode Island College, Providence, RIAnchor 2/16/61 p.1
1961-02-26Ritz Ballroom, Bridgeport, CTBridgeport Post 2/23/61 p.12
1961-03-02 thru 15Birdland, New York, NYDaily News 3/2/61 p.235
1961-03-13Jazz Jubilee — Grand Ballroom, Presidential Arms Hotel, Washington, DCTower 3/3/61 p.3
1961-03-20 thru 25Impulse! The New Wave Revue — O’Keefe Centre, Toronto, Ont.Jazz Notes 2-3/61 p.32
1961-04-01Sunnybrook Ballroom, Pottstown, PAPhiladelphia Inquirer 4/1/61 p.8
1961-04-02Marine Ballroom, Steel Pier, Atlantic City, NJPhiladelphia Inquirer 4/1/61 p.8
1961-04-03Jack Kane tribute airs (likely recorded 3-29)The Gazette 3/30/61 p.9
1961-04-03Sunset, Carrolltown, PAProgress 3/11/61 p.10
1961-04-08Benjamin Franklin Hotel, Philadelphia, PAPhiladelphia Inquirer 4/2/61 p.57
1961-04-09Ritz Ballroom, Bridgeport, CTBridgeport Post 4/9/61 p.48
1961-04-14Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MICentral Michigan Life 3/24/61 p.1
1961-04-15Prom — Ball State University, Muncie, INMuncie Evening Press 4/19/61 p.9
1961-04-18Purdue University, West Lafayette, INJournal Courier 4/10/61 p.8
1961-04-23Spring Weekend — Carpenter Field House, University of Delaware, Dover, DENews Journal 4/18/61 p.25
1961-04-28Senior Ball — Trinity College, Hartford, CTCash Box 4/22/61 p.42
1961-04-29Hampton Beach Casino, Hampton, VAPortsmouth Herald 4/27/61 p.16
1961-04-30Cavalcade of Jazz — Academy of Music, Philadelphia, PAPhiladelphia Daily News 4/7/61 p.47
1961-05-05Utica College Spring Weekend — Twin Ponds Country Club, Utica, NYTangerine 5/5/61 and 5/12/61 p.1
1961-05-06Junior Prom — Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA1962 Quittaphilia p.125
1961-05-08Manos Theater, Indiana, PAIndiana Gazette 5/6/61 p.7
1961-05-09Hagerstown Musical Society, Hagerstown, MDPublic Opinion 5/11/61 p.21
1961-05-10Duke University, Durham, NCDuke 4/21/61 p.1
1961-05-13Starlight Ballroom, Hershey Park, Hershey, PALebanon Daily News 5/12/61 p.21
1961-05-20Prom — Indiana State University, Terre Haute, INTerre Haute Star 5/18/61 p.10
1961-05-23East Tennessee State College, Johnson City, TNCollegian 5/12/61 p.1
1961-05-27Lake Compounce, Bristol, CTHartford Courant 5/20/61 p.22
1961-06-03Sunnybrook Ballroom, Pottstown, PAPhiladelphia Inquirer 6/1/61 p.24
1961-06-07West View Park, Pittsburgh, PAPittsburgh Press 6/4/61 p.37
1961-06-08 thru 14Birdland, New York, NYDaily News 6/8/61 p.452
1961-06-09Daily News Jazz Festival — Madison Square Garden, New York, NYNew York Daily News 6/9/61 p.6
1961-06-16Red Hill Inn, Pennsauken, NJPhiladelphia Inquirer 6/9/61 p.13
1961-06-20 and 21Straightaway recording sessionMosaic set
1961-06Roulette 45-rpm (unissued) recording sessionMosaic set
1961-06-23Freedomland Amusement Park, Bronx, NYNew York Daily News 6/22/61 p.74
1961-06-24Starlight Ballroom, Hershey Park, Hershey, PAYork Daily Record 6/22/61 p.26
1961-06-26Music Circus, Lambertville, NJCourier News 6/22/61 p.25
1961-06-28Idora Park, Youngstown, OHEvening Review 6/19/61 p.17
1961-06-30Music At Newport — Newport, RIHartford Courant 4/30/61 p.63
1961-07-02Music At Newport — Newport, RIDown Beat 8/17/61 p. 17
1961-07-13 thru 19Birdland, New York, NYNew York Daily News 7/13/61 p.66
1961-07-21Hampton Beach Casino, Hampton, VAPortsmouth Herald 7/17/61 p.22
1961-07-22 day?Lake Compounce, Bristol, CTHartford Courant 7/22/61 p.17
1961-07-22 night?Music Under The Stars — Downing Memorial Stadium, Randall’s Island, NYBrewster Standard 6/29/61 p.3
1961-07-29Buffalo Jazz Festival — War Memorial Stadium, Buffalo, NYMedina Daily Journal 7/28/61 p.1
1961-08-03 thru 16Birdland, New York, NYNew York Daily News 8/3/61 p.54
1961-08-18 thru 24Marine Ballroom, Steel Pier, Atlantic City, NJNew York Daily News 8/16/61 p.14
1961-08-26Starlight Ballroom, Hershey Park, Hershey, PASunday News 8/20/61 p.4
1961-08-27Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn, NJNew York Daily News 8/20/61 p.155
1961-08-28 thru 09-04Club 46, Falmouth Heights, MADown Beat 7/20/61 p.66
1961-09-05 thru 10Minor Key, Detroit, MIDetroit Free Press 9/5/61 p.32
1961-09-15 thru 24Edgewater Hotel, Pointe-Claire, Que.The Gazette 9/14/61 p.9
1961-09-24Band drug bustThe Gazette 9/26/61 p.3
1961-09-30Ritter-Clark Gymnasium, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NYRIT Reporter 9/19/61 p.3
1961-10-01Cavalcade of Jazz — Academy of Music, Philadelphia, PAPhiladelphia Daily News 9/11/61 p.31
1961-10-07Homecoming — Wright Auditorium, East Carolina University, Greenville, NCRocky Mount Telegram 10/5/61 p.19
1961-10-08El Rancho, Woodlyn, PAMorning News 10/7/61 p.28
1961-10-14Fireman’s Ball — Philadelphia, PAPhiladelphia Inquirer 9/26/61 p.3
1961-10-22Elms Ballroom, Youngstown, OHSalem News 10/19/61 p.11
1961-10-27 or 28Harlem Jazz Festival — 369th Regiment Armory, New York, NYDown Beat 10/12/61 p.12
1961-10-28 2:30 pmBrown Homecoming Dance — Men’s Gymnasium, Western Michigan College, Kalamazoo, MIWestern Herald 10/11/61 p.1
1961-11-03Dell-Ru Ballroom, Revere, MABoston Globe 10/25/61 p.41
1961-11-07Start of 7-day jail sentences from September arrestsGazette 11/8/61 p.3
1961-11-10Apollo Theater, New York, NYNew York Amsterdam News 11/11/61 p.19
1961-11-16Sunnybrook Ballroom, Pottstown, PAMorning Call 11/16/61 p.66
1961-11-17‘Prince’–Tiger Dance — Princeton University, Princeton, NJYale Daily News 11/17/61 p. 2
1961-11-19Linwood Ballroom, Edison, NJCentral New Jersey Home 11/19/61 p.47
1961-11-23 thru 12-06Birdland, New York, NYNew York Daily News 11/23/61 p.88
1961-12-01McMillin Theater, Columbia University, New York, NYBarnard Bulletin 11/30/61 p.1
1961-12Maynard ’62 recording sessionMosaic set
1961-12-23Sunnybrook Ballroom, Pottstown, PAPhiladelphia Daily News 12/21/61 p.39
1961-12-28Greek Christmas Dance — Latin Casino, Cherry Hill, NJCourier Post 12/27/61 p.24
1961-12-29 thru 1962-01-01Red Hill Inn, Pennsauken, NJCourier Post 12/30/61 p.34

Bibliography

The chronology references were collected from several online databases, including RIPM Jazz Periodicals, NewspaperArchive, Newspapers.com, and ProQuest Historical Black Newspapers.

References

[1] Ackers, Joyce. “All That’s Jazz.” Music At Newport 1961, (festival program), 1961.

[2] “Strictly Ad Lib: New York.” Down Beat 27, no. 5 (March 3, 1960): 49.

[3] “Strictly Ad Lib: Boston.” Down Beat 27, no. 15 (July 21, 1960): 70.

[4] Kleiner, Dick. “Sounds of Jazz Undergo Change.” The Plain Speaker, May 4, 1960.

[5] “Trail Wrong Man.” Tyrone Daily Herald, July 12, 1960. Moran, Jim. “Up Top for Today.” Delaware County Times, July 22, 1960.

[6] “New Teeth for Mr. Chops.” Down Beat 27, no. 17 (August 18, 1960): 14.

[7] Bass, Milton R. “Music Review: Maynard Ferguson Band.” Berkshire Eagle, August 1, 1960.

[8] Gitler, Ira. “Maynard Ferguson: A New Appraisal.” Down Beat 27, no. 20 (September 29, 1960): 29.

[9] “Ellington to Head Jazz Festival Set at Mack Stadium.” Philadelphia Inquirer, July 17, 1960.

[10] Gaghan, Jerry. “Show Rule Takes Stock.” Philadelphia Daily News, July 26, 1960

[11] Gaghan, Jerry. “Theater Guild in High Gear.” Philadelphia Daily News, July 27, 1960.

[12] Philadelphia Daily News, August 12, 1960.

[13] Philadelphia Daily News, August 31, 1960.

[14] Philadelphia Daily News, September 16, 1960.

[15] Philadelphia Daily News, September 21, 1960.

[16] Lee, William F. MF Horn: Maynard Ferguson’s Life in Music, Ojai, CA: M.F. Music U.S.A., 1997: 95.

[17] “Strictly Ad Lib: Chicago.” Down Beat 28, no. 4 (February 16, 1961): 56.

[18] Stern, Harold. “Jazz Gets Chance on TV; Background for ‘Racers’.” Syracuse Post-Standard, March 30, 1961 seems to have been the first instance. This syndicated article was published in numerous newspapers under different headlines.

[19] “Strictly Ad Lib: New York.” Down Beat 28, no. 7 (March 30, 1961): 12.

[20] Cash Box, February 25, 1961: 24.

[21] Jazz Notes 6, no. 2–3: 32.

[22] “Strictly Ad Lib: New York.” Down Beat 28, no. 8 (April 13 1961): 45.

[23] “No Longer in Impulse! Behan Battled, Bailed Out, and Bounced.” Globe and Mail, March 23, 1961.

[24] “Strictly Ad Lib: Toronto.” Down Beat 28, no. 11 (May 25, 1961): 49.

[25] Calgary Herald, March 29 1961.

[26] “Strictly Ad Lib: Chicago.” Down Beat 28, no. 12 (June 8, 1961): 48.

[27] Lee, William F. MF Horn: Maynard Ferguson’s Life in Music, Ojai, CA: M.F. Music U.S.A., 1997: 88.

[28] Jungheim, Ralph. Maynard!, Marina del Rey, CA: Buster Ann Music, 2009: 120.

[29] Gilliece, Russell. “Musicians Jailed on Drug Charges.” The Gazette, November 8, 1961

[30] “Gets 15 Days.” Ottawa Journal, March 21, 1962.

[31] Gaghan, Jerry. “Humor Fit For a King.” Philadelphia Daily News, December 18, 1961.

[32] Gaghan, Jerry. “Main Liners’ Jazz Bashed.” Philadelphia Daily News, December 27, 1961.

Author Information: 
Thomas Herb currently serves as Professor of Music Education and as the Director of the Graduate Music Education program at Southern Utah University. He has published articles in several music education books, including the Teaching Music through Performance in Band series (GIA Publications), and his own book Teaching Improvisation...in Concert Band?!? (MVP Publishing). An avid jazz devotee, he performs over fifty times a year with local jazz combos and is the Founder/Director of The Jazz Alliance of Cedar City which brings jazz performances to Cedar City. He also considers himself an enthusiastic amateur in regards to jazz research, with bandleader Maynard Ferguson as his specialty. He lives in Cedar City, Utah with his wife and four young children.

Abstract: 
The article presents the day-to-day activities of Canadian trumpeter and bandleader Maynard Ferguson during the years 1960 to 1961, considered the peak era of this jazz orchestra. Based on listings, advertisements, and reviews published in contemporary newspapers and periodicals, Ferguson’s concert, dance, and nightclub appearances are included. The performance chronology also includes recording sessions and identifies orchestra personnel when known.

Keywords:
Maynard Ferguson, Birdland Dream Band, jazz, chronology

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