One For Maynard is a fitting debut from a band clearly inspired by Maynard Ferguson’s larger than life musical presence. The Loudhorns are a product of Nashville’s most seasoned studio brass players and an equally dynamic rhythm section. Collectively, these musicians have performed and/or recorded with a who’s who of performers, including Elton John, Randy Brecker, Garth Brooks, Aretha Franklin, Paul Simon, Larry Carlton and Maynard Ferguson. The horn section of the appropriately named Loudhorns includes trumpets, flugelhorns, trombones, a French horn and a tuba.
Just as the title implies, the band’s debut CD pays homage to Maynard Ferguson by featuring a mixture of funk, jazz, rhythm & blues and traces of rock in every arrangement. The band also delivers some outstanding takes on songs made popular by Maynard Ferguson, including "Give It One," "La Fiesta," "Left Bank Express," "Superbone Meets The Bad Man" and "Birdland." The Loudhorns also continue Ferguson’s practice of covering pop songs by covering Queen’s "Bohemian Rhapsody," Stevie Wonder’s "I Wish" and Aerosmith’s "Fly Away From Here." All nine tracks on the CD are played with the same intensity and blistering brass playing that made Ferguson a household name. Any fan of Ferguson’s work should be pleased with such a bold tribute.
