My 2021 Inspiration Comes From My 1990s With Maynard Ferguson

Every time I listen to Blue Birdland, I still feel Maynard is going to walkout to, "Ladies and Gentlemen, Maaaaynaaaard Ferguuusooon!" That feeling of anticipation never goes away.

I had the privilege to know Maynard Ferguson while at High School and College at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Puttaparthi, South of India. I had learnt drums over Grade 12th summer. This opened up a whole new world of energy, music, friendships and influences of a lifetime.

I kept the business card that he gave me during one of his trips to India. Through all my moves across the world leading up to me being in Los Angeles, I kept this card with great care.

In August, 2020, I made a trip to the address on the card, curious and not knowing who would be there. It was a very special trip for me and that my son was with me on this trip made it so much more.

I introduced my son to Maynard through all my pictures, stories and the music. He is fond of Maynard's music that makes it so much meaningful to me.

So on the morning of August 7, 2020 my son Mihir and I spontaneously decided to get into our car and drive couple of hours to the address on this card. The house was no longer with the Ferguson's but the family living there was kind enough to connect me to one of his daughters, Wilder. Talking with Wilder was very special as I could share all my memories of her father while he was with us in India, teaching music.

N = 1 | Everyone Counts

This picture is one of our practice sessions in the Administrative Block of the Institute that was perched majestically on top of a hill. To Maynard's right; Kabir Syed on Aux drums, me on the Yamaha, to my right U Vidyadhar and third standing trumpet to my right is Saravepalli Guruprasad.

In 1992, Maynard and his Band were on the Big Bop Nouveau Tour and they did concerts in Mumbai, Bangalore and Puttaparthi. I had already graduated.

I received Maynard and his band at the then Bombay airport at 02:00 AM. I was at the practice session later that afternoon and leading up to the concert the next day at Hotel Sea Rock. The concert was on my birthday, I was with a very special friend of mine who is no more, Sarvepalli Guru Prasad. He was my dorm room mate while in college, an amazing leader and academic. He was also the grandson of the first President of India, Sarvepalli Radha Krishna.

Guru and I were young, just graduated blokes and were wide-eyed among the elite of the Mumbai socialites. Maynard came across and made us comfortable and then during the last segment called us out and dedicated the closing number of Hey Jude to us. He always closed with Hey Jude.

I was an average drummer at best but he encouraged me to keep getting better. One of the best memories is while we were prepping for Christmas, we were practicing in the Institute's auditorium. We always had the public outside the auditorium listening to the booming sound of horns from inside. Maynard ordered me and my kit into the well of the soundstage as he could not see me clearly. Once in the pit, he could lord over me. "I like to keep an eye on you", he said with a wink. But he made every single band member feel that they were the only person in his world of charm, wit and advice.

Raag Bhairav, Rupak Tal and McArthur Park | The Open Mindedness

In 1990-91, Maynard was finalizing his next Album Footpath Cafe. He was thinking ahead and was deeply inspired by Raag Bhairav. He started composing a number based on this and we went on to record this in the well of the Institute's Planetarium. It had the best acoustics and recording equipment. Over three days, with very little sleep, we canned the composition on tape with a modest accompaniment with me on drums, Sunil Narang on tabla and Sanjay Kumar on Sitar.

On day 3, I remember walking back Maynard to his place of residence at about 4 AM. He kept humming the tune all the way and while exhausted, he had that brilliant high energy good night smile. I had these tapes for most part and now I wish I could locate them.

The tune evolved, morphed, experimented with, discovered new interpretations, combining with complex rhythms like Rupak Tal mixed with Chameleon and McArthur Park influences. It was a heady lesson in open mindedness from the Big Boss.

Passion Is Teachable

My memories of him are as clear as yesterday. High-energy, patient, sharp humour, mischievous glint in his eye and a deep passion for music that was just contagious. You knew when he was in the house. The level of conversation elevated, the focus became sharper, the humour never stopped. The passion he brought to teaching music was contagious. I always felt he enjoyed the company, music was just the excuse.

In The Presence of Greatness

Imagine being in the company, being taught music by the person who composed the famous Rocky theme song 'Gonna Fly Now', the one who 'blew' the flame away at 1976 Montreal Olympics, the one who holds the Guinness record for the highest note ever on a trumpet, the one who was so passionate about spreading humanity through his music.

As a young student growing up in the 1990's India this was not visible or apparent. But we knew we were in the company of greatness. How I wish I could play with him today.

He made my average great.

He made excellence fun.

He made passion contagious.

Picture credits: Institute Foyer Pictures, my classmate Maheshan Nateshan, Planetarium Recording Picture: Do not remember.

Check out his music on Apple Music or Spotify, especially Blue Birdland, Birdland, Chameleon, McArthur Park, Maria, Gonna Fly Now and the famous Maynard Ferguson Hit Medley.