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Toledo Jazz Orchestra, continues with a salute to
trumpeter Maynard Ferguson |
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December 3rd, 2007 00:00 |
 January 12,
2008
The 2007-2008 Harold Jaffe Concert Series featuring
Toledo's premier big band, the Toledo Jazz Orchestra,
continues with a salute to trumpeter Maynard
Ferguson. Patrick Hession, who performed with
Ferguson, will be the special guest, and the TJO's
own Ric Wolkins will be featured as well. Join us for
a salute to the great Maynard Ferguson by the best
big band in town!
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NEW Monette FALL 2007 NEWSLETTER! |
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November 20th, 2007 00:00 |
 Dave
Monette has just finished his FALL 2007 NEWSLETTER
and has nine stories that include ten videos and four
audio clips to showcase their work and the talents of
some of the players they work with. There are three
new audio
clips of Patrick's live performance with the Jeff
Holmes Big Band, using his XLT BL4 S6 on his MF PRANA
Bb TRUMPET, and a new video clip of Fanfare for
Dave written for Patrick Hession, Charles
Schlueter, Manny Laureano and Phil Snedecor
(arranger) at the 2007 ITG Conference.
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Visit Monette's Website! |
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Young Composers Music Forum > Discussion >
Performance - Trumpet vs. Trombone? |
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November 19th, 2007 07:44 |
 There
is no method out there that will increase your range
to a high C in any 'short' amount of time, but there
are several that will get you there correctly,
strongly, and effectively. Patrick Hession, possibly
the greatest high note player alive today (RIP
Maynard), has a method
out, too.
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View full Thread |
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JazzTimes CD Review of "The One and Only Maynard
Ferguson" from the September 2007 issue |
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September 1st, 2007 00:00 |
 MAYNARD
FERGUSON AND HIS BIG BOP NOUVEAU BAND
The One and Only Maynard Ferguson (Maynard Ferguson
Trust)
The reduced big band (four trumpets, three
saxophones, trombone and rhythm), steered by lead
trumpeters Wayne Bergeron and Patrick Hession,
performs the collection of fresh-sounding standards
and originals with precision and utmost
musicality.
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Lafayette Citizens Band Performs a Spectacular July 4
Concert! |
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July 5th, 2007 00:00 |
 There
was a lot of red, white and blue music at the
concert, and some special soloists and groups were
featured. Lafayette's native son Patrick Hession, who
played for six years with the Maynard Ferguson Band,
and his brother Phil, were featured on a Bill
Kisinger arrangement of "MacArthur Park," and the
"Theme from Rocky."
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Visit Lafayette Citizens Band Website! |
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fan fare - umass amherst department of music &
dance - summer 2007 |
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June 21st, 2007 00:00 |
Outstanding visiting artists and ensembles joined
with Department of Music & Dance faculty and
student performers for five evening concerts that
included UMass Amherst Professor Jeff Holmes' Big
Band with Wayne Bergeron and Patrick Hession, The
Washington Symphonic Brass, The New England Brass
Band with Terry Everson, Philip Cobb and Rene
Hernandez, and Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band.
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ITG 2007 Event Reports - Friday |
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June 1st, 2007 17:00 |
 5:00
pm - David Monette: Design, Fabrication and
Performance - A Guided Video Tour
Written by Elisa Koehler
A large crowd gathered to hear the latest information
from custom trumpet maker David Monette about his new
innovations in instrument design and manufacture.
Following the traditional ITG trumpet ensemble
prelude by students from Drake University, Phil
Snedecor introduced another trumpet ensemble playing
one of his own compositions, Fanfare for David.
Performing with Snedecor were fellow Monette players
Charles Schlueter, Manny Laureano, and Patrick
Hession, who wowed the audience with his white hot
lead playing.
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View full Article |
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ITG 2007 Event Reports - Thursday |
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May 31st, 2007 19:00 |
7:00 pm - Washington Symphonic Brass "At The
Movies!"
Written by Neville Young
For a moment I was surprised when the "Rocky" fanfare
started up again - surely they're not just going to
repeat that? - but all was explained when the music
took a turn in the direction marked "loud" and
Patrick Hession strolled on stage - my goodness, what
a Maynard-style extravaganza this last tune became.
Like the rest of the audience I left bowled over by
the versatility and skill of the Washington Symphonic
Brass and with the memory of a really great concert
full of variety and flair. Nice one, Milt and the
WSB.
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View full Article |
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ITG 2007 Event Reports - Wednesday |
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May 30th, 2007 19:00 |
 7:00
pm - Jeff Holmes Big Band
Written by Gary Mortenson
If you like to hear lead trumpet playing featured in
the jazz ensemble setting, then this concert had to
make you feel like a kid in a candy store. Patrick
Hession (Maynard Ferguson's last lead trumpet player)
was featured on three tunes on the first half
including arrangements of "Danny Boy," "Superman,"
and "Rocky." It was obvious to all why Maynard hired
Patrick as his last lead trumpet player. Through all
three tunes he displayed great power, presence,
range, and volume. Hession's ability to "power-up"
the trumpet in the highest register and still play a
nice melody in the middle and extremely low registers
is astounding. Maynard fans got exactly what they
wanted, and audience members who might not have been
familiar with that type of trumpet playing got a true
initiation into what that special fraternity is all
about. The last tune of Hession's set, "Rocky,"
really brought me back to my youth as a high school
trumpet player in mid 1970s suburban Chicago, and to
the many times I went to various area high schools to
see Maynard with his big band perform for his fanatic
following (of which I was a fully-vested member).
Thank you Patrick, for bringing back those great
memories...
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View full Article |
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ITG 2007 Event Reports - Wednesday |
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May 30th, 2007 09:00 |
 9:00
am - Maynard Ferguson Tribute
Written by John Irish
How does one sum up the career, importance,
influence, or the person as unique as Maynard
Ferguson. A panel discussion led By Ed Sargent, paid
tribute to the great Maynard who passed away in
August, 2006. Contributors on the panel included
Wayne Bergeron (started in the band 1986), Carl
Fischer (started in 1993), and Patrick Hession (from
2000 -- Maynard's last lead trumpet
player), and Dan Potts, who helped with the video
montage and historical information. Maynard's
daughters, Lisa and Wilder were also in
attendance.
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View full Article |
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"Maynard Ferguson Tribute" DVD |
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May 4th, 2007 00:00 |
 This
Double DVD Tribute Package includes the Maynard
Ferguson Tribute Concert held September 20, 2006 at
the University of Missouri Touhill Performing Arts
Center in St. Louis and over 60 minutes of Historical
Bonus Footage.
The featured concert from St. Louis brought together
more than 30 alumni artists from Maynard's sixty plus
years of entertaining audiences around the world. In
a manner of words, the tribute was the ultimate
symphony dedicated to a man so many called "The
Boss". The DVD of the concert has a running time of
over 120 minutes and also includes many great photos
of Maynard throughout the years.
The second DVD includes more than an hour of bonus
footage excerpts, many of which have never before
been seen, from performances all over the world.
Recorded between 1950-2006, these excerpts
demonstrate Maynard's trumpet artistry and trademark
exuberance as a world renowned bandleader.
A portion of the net proceeds from the DVD sales will
go to the Maynard Ferguson Music Scholarship Fund at
the University of Missouri - St. Louis.
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Maynard Ferguson Tribute DVD |
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"The One And Only Maynard Ferguson" CD |
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May 4th, 2007 00:00 |
Recorded
in July of 2006 (only weeks before Maynard's
passing), The One and Only Maynard Ferguson is
Maynard's final studio recording. The musicians on
this album are a collection of old friends and alumni
from Maynard's amazing career.
Personnel:
Maynard Ferguson - Trumpet, Flugelhorn,
Bandleader
Wayne Bergeron - Trumpet and Flugelhorn (lead on
tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 6)
Patrick Hession - Trumpet and Flugelhorn (lead on
tracks 5, 7, 8, 9)
Serafin Aguilar - Trumpet and Flugelhorn
Ken Edwards - Trumpet and Flugelhorn
Mike Dubaniewicz - Alto Saxophone
Chip McNeill - Tenor and Soprano Saxophones
Denis DiBlasio - Baritone Saxophone
Steve Wiest - Trombone
Jeff Lashway - Piano
Brian Mulholland - Bass
Stockton Helbing - Drums and Cymbals/Music
Director
Special Guest: Christian Jacob - Piano
Track Listing:
1. Without A Song - Arranged by Chip McNeill
2. Besame Mucho - Arranged By Steve Wiest
3. Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone - Arranged by
Steve Wiest
4. Vita Bella - Composed and Arranged by Denis
DiBlasio
5. Dr. Fox PHD - Composed and Arranged by Denis
DiBlasio
6. Lost Horizons - Composed and Arranged by Christian
Jacob
7. Surviving Soho - Composed and Arranged by Denis
DiBlasio
8. The Days of Wine and Roses - Arranged by Denis
DiBlasio
9. Darn that Dream - Arranged by Denis DiBlasio
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The One And Only Maynard Ferguson CD |
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My lesson with Patrick Hession |
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April 28th, 2007 04:55 |
By Mikester
Patrick's breath capacity is amazing! We would breath
at a constant rate for 7 beats. Even though we were
breathing at close to the same rate, I was completely
full before 5 beats. Patrick went all the way through
7 beats. To give you some idea of the difference in
our sizes, Patrick is about 5'7" medium-athletic. I
am 6'6" large frame. So, I was shocked at how much
more air he could intake.
Other items he stressed in the exercises were the
breath attacks versus the tongue attacks. As we
worked on the breath attack, Patrick demonstrated his
mastery of "whisper tones." I have heard of them, but
have not witnessed a demonstration. Patrick can begin
a note that is so faint it is barely audible. Hence
their name. He begins these notes and crescendos to
double forte and back to whisper. Tremendous
control.
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View full Thread |
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4th Edition HESSIONS SESSIONS Guides Coming
Soon! |
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April 1st, 2007 00:00 |
 SPECIAL
APRIL 1ST ANNOUNCEMENT: THE MONETTE
OCTAV-EYE-ZER!
If you have been looking for a way to improve your
upper register and really "zero-in" on those
troublesome high notes, consider our special April
1st edition Monette "OCTAV-EYE-ZER."
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View Outrageous Monette OCTAV-EYE-ZER Video! |
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UVSC JAZZ ENSEMBLE PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE LATE MAYNARD
FERGUSON |
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March 21st, 2007 00:00 |
Thanks again for the remarkable job last December.
You and Reggie made a great team. The alumni magazine
at UVSC picked up the story of the MF tribute and
published a short article. It is on page 12 of the
online version found at: Click and
turn to page 12.
Director of Jazz Studies, David Fullmer, recently led
his UVSC jazz and percussion students on an
unforgettable journey into the life and talent of the
late jazz trumpet player and bandleader, Walter
Maynard Ferguson.
Concluding the phenomenal concert in the Ragan
Theater, students who idolized Ferguson (many their
entire musical careers) had the opportunity to
showcase their talents by performing a variety of
Ferguson pieces. The highlight of the experience,
however, was when Patrick Hession and Reggie Watkins,
two longtime members of the Maynard Ferguson Band,
traveled to UVSC to conduct a workshop and then
perform with UVSC students.
According to Jared Herald, UVSC student trumpet
player and member of the jazz ensemble, "We not only
saw a great display of brass wizardry, but we
actually had the opportunity to learn from two
terrific performers. Except for Maynard, I have never
heard anyone nail the songs the way Patrick did."
According to Fullmer, who has a doctorate of musical
arts from the University of Washington, "Maynard was
a very important historical figure in jazz history.
Many jazz purists looked down on Ferguson's
rock-style jazz, but he was a heavy influence that
sparked in many young musicians a lifelong affinity
and desire to learn and play jazz."
Today, Ferguson is known as one of the most
influential musicians in Jazz history. He passed away
Aug. 23, 2006, in Ventura, Calif., at age 78. He is
known for playing with big band pioneers including
Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie.
Ferguson recorded more than 60 albums.
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UVSC Sequel - Spring 2007 |
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South Medford High School in Medford, Oregon annual
Jazz Celebration in May 2007! |
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March 3rd, 2007 13:40 |
 Hey
Patrick,
I just learned that you will be gracing the stage of
South Medford High School in Medford, Oregon, for our
annual Jazz Celebration in May 2007! What a thrill it
will be to have you play with our outstanding
students musicians and WOW our community with your
music! We still revel in the memory of a couple years
ago, when Maynard , himself, came to our school and
set it ablaze with his trumpet! (When my son, the
trombonist in The Suitz, lost his Razr cell phone
last year, his greatest grief was that it had his
only photo of him and Maynard on it!)
Our school is blessed to have the invaluable services
of the amazing Stan Mark as coach for The Suitz, and
we love him and what has has done for all our bands
and for music in our community! In a time when public
schools are slowly losing music education, our
community still works hard to support music!
If anyone out there wants to hear pure Jazz Music
deeply honored in small-town America, come to
Medford, Oregon, on Saturday, May 12, 2007, for a
stunning evening of Jazz, as it deepens its roots in
our stellar student musicians, accompanied by the
famous Patrick Hession!!
See you in May, Patrick--and this time we'll have the
cameras ready!!
Tricia
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Patrick Hession and Reggie Watkins performed at Utah
Valley State College in Orem, Utah |
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February 26th, 2007 10:21 |
Review by Jared Hearld
Concert Date: December 8, 2006
Utah Valley State College, Orem, Utah
Patrick Hession and Reggie Watkins recently performed
at Utah Valley State in Orem, Utah. They arrived in
town on thursday just in time for one rehearsal
before the show on friday. On tap for rehearsal was
"Chameleon," "Rocky," "Gospel John," "MacArthur
Park," "Danny Boy," "Birdland," "Superbone Meets the
Badman," "The Way We Were," and "Frame For the
Blues." Through the three hour rehearsal the band was
no less than amazed at the talent of Patrick and
Reggie. We not only saw a great display of brass
wizardry, but saw two great educators. The night
rehearsal ended with powerful and slick soloing from
Reggie and Patrick just wasting Double C's on
"Chameleon." I could have swore these two had enough
chops for another three hour rehearsal.
The show started with Reggie and Patrick on
"Chameleon." The band started it's groove on
"Chameleon" and within just a minute or so in came
Patrick with ear bleeding descending lines starting
on Double G. Just as we were ending up the 'A'
section Patrick led us in to the 'B' section with a
Maynardesque Double C. Reggie soon took over with his
JB's inspired solo. I believe he even threw in a
quote from "Pass the Peas Please." Put some pounds on
Reggie and I swear I was listening to Fred Wesley
with more grace. To end the song Patrick electrified
the crowd with his over Double C usage.
Just in case the crowd didn't get enough of Patrick's
high wire act he began playing "Frame For the Blues."
Except for Maynard I have never heard anyone nail the
beginning and end of this song the way Patrick did.
Maynard would be proud! The soloing moments again
belonged to Reggie. This guy is so diverse with his
playing. I could just imagine myself being at
Birdland listening to Slide Hampton playing his own
arrangement.
Next on the list was a favorite ballad of Maynard's,
"Danny Boy." Patrick's chops just never seem to quit.
Patrick gets to show his delicate side as well as his
lyrical playing in all registers. Remember, this is
all after a long rehearsal the night before and a
dress rehearsal the day of. This piece really does
show how complete a player Patrick is. The descending
lines from G, A, and finally Double C were all done
with such grace. If I didn't know which notes he was
playing from seeing them on the page I would have
never guessed they were that high. He just played
with such ease all the way to low F# at end the
song.
Next up was "Superbone Meets the Badman," featuring
Reggie. This hard swinging chart was just more
evidence of Reggie's diversity. As Utah Valley's bari
player and Reggie went head to head it was fun to
hear the mingling of ideas. Always a playful
conversation! What a spark that was given to the band
through Reggie's heavy swingin', hard hittin' solo.
Reggie was also featured on "The Way We Were." Reggie
demonstrated a great lesson in ballad playing to the
packed house.
To end the show Reggie, Patrick, and the Band hit the
packed house hard with "MacArthur Park," "Gonna Fly
Now," and "Birdland." Throughout the night there was
flawless execution on the part of Patrick and Reggie.
The love for the audience, music, and Maynard
Ferguson were all very apparent in their playing. The
crowd was left electrified!
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Patrick's personal statement about Maynard
Ferguson |
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February 23rd, 2007 04:29 |
 "The
first time I saw Maynard Ferguson, GOD told me in a
very loud and clear voice, 'That is what you are
going to do!' So, from that day forward, I always
dreamed about being a trumpet player. When I finally
started playing the trumpet, I always had faith in
the fact that I just knew that I would play lead
trumpet for Maynard Ferguson and that I would be his
very last lead trumpet player. With this faithful
knowledge, I then dedicated my entire life to Maynard
and his band. As a result of my dedication, it got me
on a lot of other gigs, but all I really wanted to do
was be there for Maynard. I really miss hangin' out
with Maynard (Walter) until 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM in the
morning, playing a gig that same day and then doing
it all over again that night! What times! Maynard
taught me to laugh, make people happy and have fun
while doing it! He used to say to the band, 'This is
not a moment in modern American music history, so
just play and have fun.' I was on the road with
Maynard Ferguson a little over six years (June 23,
2000 - August 23, 2006) and it was the best,
happiest, most musically satisfying time of my life!
Thank you GOD and thank you BOSS!"
Patrick E. Hession, Lead Trumpet
Maynard Ferguson & Big Bop Nouveau
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"MF Horn VI: Live at Ronnie's" |
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January 13th, 2007 00:00 |
 all
about jazz
By Jack
Bowers | MF Music (2007)
There are some talented newcomers in this edition of
BBN and a few holdovers including trombonist/music
director Reggie Watkins and lead trumpeter Patrick
Hession. There's even a distinguished alumnus, Denis
DiBlasio, sitting in on baritone sax. One of the
newbies, pianist Jeff Lashway, is a real find, while
veteran drummer Stockton Helbing continues his steady
improvement.
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View full Review |
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The HESSIONS SESSIONS Upcoming Events Calendar is
here! |
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January 1st, 2007 00:00 |
Due to the overrun of spam on the HESSIONS SESSIONS
Forum, Patrick has decided to replace the forum with
the "All-New" HESSIONS SESSIONS Upcoming Events
Calendar! 
(The Upcoming Events Calendar is also located at the
top of this News Page).
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View Calendar |
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