There isn’t a jazz musician around today that hasn’t been influenced by Maynard in one way or another. Most of us who grew up in the last quarter of the 20th century remember Maynard’s band making its yearly concert at a nearby high school. Maynard’s band must have hit most every high school or college in every town in America at one time or another. Maynard had a huge impact on jazz education during this time, and most would agree he was just about the nicest guy you’d ever want to work for.

I think we are all so fortunate to have so much jazz video today readily available. From great performances that are making their way out on the internet, to personal interviews like the one below. All of our aging jazz musicians need to sit in front of a video camera and record their personal experience for the future. Not only jazz musicians, but any aging American who has experiences that others could benefit from 100 years from now. I wish we had more interviews like this with Miles, Bird, Coltrane, Bob Berg, Michael Brecker, Bob Florence, Louis Bellson, etc, etc. etc.

This interview with Maynard was shot in 1998 by the jazz video guy, Bret Primack (jazzvideoguy.tv)