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A Letter from Los Angeles
October 6th, 2004 00:00
A Letter from Los Angeles
Published: October 10, 2004
By Jack Bowers

Quite naturally, the only thing that could reasonably compete with the Trumpet Summit would be Maynard himself with Big Bop Nouveau, and following the dinner break on they came, introducing the leader with "Blue Birdland" and launching immediately into a swinging rendition of Ellington's "It Don't Mean a Thing." Maynard's new BBN includes trumpeters Patrick Hession (lead), Ken Edwards and Keith Fiala, trombonist / music director Reggie Watkins, saxophonists Doug Stone and Julio Monterrey, drummer Stockton Helbing and the Korean husband-and-wife team of pianist Ji Young Lee and bassist Eun Chang Choi.
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On the Road Again with Maynard!
September 30th, 2004 00:00
09/30/2004 - Patrick is back on the road with Maynard Ferguson and Big Bop Nouveau until November 22nd. Patrick appears as a special guest on Kenneth Robinson's debut classical album, "Festive Masterpieces for Trumpet and Organ."

Visit website for fellow Trumpeter, Ken Robinson - KGRMUSIC.COM
KGR MUSIC
Maynard Has a New Horn!
September 6th, 2004 00:00
Maynard scheduled a trip to Portland to pick up the new axe in early September. We asked Patrick Hession to come in a few days in advance of MF's arrival to help with the final play-testing and adjustment. Patrick and Dave work well together, and Patrick did a fantastic job with the tedious but strenuous job of play-testing mostly high notes for two solid days!
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Patrick's New Book is Now Available on the Products page
July 14th, 2004 00:00
Patrick's new book, "Hessions Sessions - Guide to consistent, reliable and sometimes, Invincible Chops!," is selling like wildfire. Go to the Products page to get your hands on a copy.

A Review by Matt Keller
Buy the Guide!
Patrick Hession featured in Monette 2004 Newsletter
July 1st, 2004 00:00
Patrick has just received his new MONETTE PRANA XLT trumpet. Check out his wonderful write-up in the Monette 2004 newsletter. Monette has graciously featured Patrick in it's annual newsletter alongside such trumpet greats as Wynton Marsalis, Calvin Price, Mark Isham and Charlie Schlueter. Click the links below to access the two articles as well as Monette's website.

Page 1 - The new BL4, designed for Maynard's lead player Patrick Hession
Page 2 - Dave Goes on the Road with Maynard
Visit Monette's Website!
[TPIN] ITG Conference 2004 - Monette, Patrick, and Manny
June 28th, 2004 08:38
Reaban, Derek derek.reaban@honeywell.com
Mon, 28 Jun 2004 08:38:52 -0700

After an introduction by Dave Monette, Patrick Hession (lead trumpet with Maynard Ferguson) was the first to speak and play. What an absolute powerhouse! After his opening line on his new Monette Prana equipment (literally pushing the walls back), he said, "Any questions?" That got a great laugh!
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Diane Schuur/Maynard Ferguson - Swingin' For Schuur Review!
May 2nd, 2004 02:17
Jim Bookhard
Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 2:17 am
Post subject: Diane Schuur and Maynard Ferguson - Swingin' For Schuur
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Ever since I was about 5 or 6 years old, I spent almost every Sunday in New York City (courtesy of my parents taking me) to listen to some of the greatest names in Jazz including big band artists like Count Basie, Duke Ellington, performers like Louis Armstrong, Earl Garner, Sarah Vaughn, Lena Horne. I can still remember listening to the big band musicians tuning their instruments before each performance began. All this was very reminiscent of my experiences in my childhood and in growing up listening to live jazz artists as I listened to the new Diane Schuur and Maynard Ferguson collaboration on Swingin' For Schuur.

I can't remember the last time I listened to a new CD from the beginning and listened to every selection to completion on the entire CD. This CD is absolutely outstanding! One thing this CD will tell you and that is if your system is performing up to par. Maynard's band of 11 musicians, including Patrick Hession who is lead trumpeter for Maynard's band, sounds more like a full big band orchestra on this CD. The arrangements of the classics on this CD are the best I've heard since listening live to big band orchestras when I was young. Every part of the music, from the lows of the acoustic bass to the bite of the trumpets on top along with the cymbals and everything in between is a part of the music and each is there for the listener to explore fully right along with the voice of Diane. Also, any musician on this album could have been a "headliner" on this CD because this band of Maynard's is definitely jammed packed with masterful artists of the trade. Each and every member of the band could easily be on the title of this CD. The CD starts off with the acoustic bass and Diane Schuur leading into "Just One Of Those Things." All the songs on this CD are classics of jazz. Diane is reminiscent of Sarah Vaughn, just as stated in the liner notes, on several of the arrangements, but the unique style of Diane's own way of singing jazz is there also.

The album could just have been Maynard's band alone or Diane alone. Thats just how good this CD is and how good the arrangements are. You can just sit there and pick out any instrument in the band (trumpet, drums, piano, sax, trombone, etc.) and follow every line played by that particular instrument as well as following Diane's voice.

If the bite of the trumpets is too much for you and you want to reach for ear plugs, it's not the CD, it's your system that's not performing properly. This CD is extremely well recorded from the weight at the bottom end to the instruments on top and everything in between. Rim shots on the drums are distinct, clear, and lifelike. The acoustic bass line is clean, powerful, and clear. And, the horns are simply magnificent -- good "bite" but smoothly recorded. And, the dynamics of the instruments and the music are maintained throughout the recording.

For those who like classic jazz and also big band jazz, this is a "must have" CD. For those who have never experienced classic or big band jazz, here's a good place to start. You definitely won't be bored. I just hope your system can serve up all this recording has to offer, it's really that good. I don't give a lot of praise to a lot of recordings nor to a lot of artists, but I do here because that praise is more than deserving to Maynard, his band, Diane, the arrangers and the recording people behind the scenes.

My hat's off to you, Patrick.
_________________
Jim Bookhard
Interstate Music's The Score interviews Maynard Ferguson
May 1st, 2004 00:00
Interstate Music's - The Score
May-July 2004


Score: Are there any new players out there that impress you?

MF: The first two trumpet players that come to mind are Carl Fischer and Patrick Hession. They have both been with the band for quite a while and are both great.
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Maynard Ferguson at The Grey Eagle Tavern and Music Hall, Asheville, North Carolina
April 8th, 2004 00:00
Maynard Ferguson at The Grey Eagle Tavern and Music Hall
April 8, 2004 - Asheville, North Carolina
A review by Stephen Lovelady for the Maynard Ferguson High Life website

Patrick Hession was great in the lead chair and the entire trumpet section was tight. I'd like to hear them featured more as a section while the rest of the band lays back a bit. It was difficult to hear individual trumpet parts most of the time, as the lead was always very prominently mixed. Patrick has accomplished much since I last saw him in October 2002 and has matured into an extremely competent and dependable fixture on the band. He didn't miss a note and breathed more fire than I have ever seen.
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Maynard Ferguson a hit at the Columbia
February 19th, 2004 00:00
The Lion's Roar
Volume 75, Issue 20




Southeastern Louisiana University - Hammond, LA February 19, 2004
By Lora Sheppard
Staff Writer

Ferguson's supporting cast members included Patrick Hession, Carl Fischer and Kevin Meads on trumpet, Reggie Watkins on trombone, Juan Turros and Matt Blostein on saxophone, William Bonness on piano, Craig Butterfield on bass and Stockton Helbing on drums.
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One More M.F.-ing Jazz Concert
February 17th, 2004 00:00
The Musings of Kev - Random Thoughts and Rants from an Everyday Saxophonist

This time the gig was at Plano Senior High (alma mater of 15th Street Jazz), which was thankfully close to CCCC, since lab band let out ten minutes before the concert started. Halfling, Demon Matt, Fizban and Dingus went up there ahead of me to save seats (and had their own little adventures, which were chronicled in Dingus's latest post). Unfortunately, we were a bit too close to the speakers up front, but I understand it was way louder during Plano's short opening set. (Our location did prove advantageous later when we all got to shake hands with lead trumpeter Patrick Hession during the obligatory trumpets-in-the-audience part of "Hey Jude.")
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Patrick was in a horrific car crash Thursday night, February 5, 2004
February 7th, 2004 07:10
Patrick's new method book is now available! Patrick, Maynard & Big Bop Nouveau are back on the road as of February 6, 2004. They are returning from a well deserved week off from a short, but awesome tour. The tour consisted of a fun filled week at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, a wonderfully warm week in Thailand, two great dates in California and a very high energy night at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is the fourth time that Patrick has performed with Maynard & Big Bop Nouveau in Las Vegas and it is the best band yet! Patrick, Maynard & Big Bop Nouveau are on the road until March 6th, so we hope to see all of you there! UPDATE: Due to the freezing rain, Patrick was in a horrific car crash Thursday night, February 5, 2004. Although Patrick was wearing his seatbelt, his head went through the driver's side window and completely shattered the window. All of Patrick's tests came back negative and he is doing well. Patrick was released Saturday afternoon and he has returned home. Patrick will be flying out to meet Maynard & Big Bop Nouveau in Austin, Texas on Monday, February 9, 2004. Walter Maynard Ferguson PHD has ordered Patrick to take it easy and to work slowly back into his book. Patrick would like to personally thank each and every one of you for your thoughts and prayers. Take care and God bless you all!


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