The music on this CD was originally conceived by Lasse Lindgren as a vehicle for his large ensemble The Lasse Lindgren Big Constellation and as a special tribute to the late trumpet great MAYNARD FERGUSON (1928-2006). You will hear lots of Fergusons´ best loved tunes as well as some not so well known but all deserving inclusion in this collection.

1. BIRDLAND Composed by Austrian pianist/keyboardist Joe Zawinul a one time Ferguson sideman. Remember Maynards first New York band was called The Birdland Dream Band. Great solos from Lasse on valve trombone and trumpet, Björn "Skåne" Cedergren -tenor sax and the wonderful bass guitar playing of Owe Almgren.

2. AIREGIN Sonny Rollins classic arranged by Mike Abene, featureing Johan Borgström -alto Sax, Lasse on trumpet and both drummers Göran Kroon and David Sundby.

3. GONNA FLY NOW Composed by Bill Conti (Theme from the movies Rocky 1 to 5.). Once again solos from Borgström -Alto sax, Cedrgren-Tenor sax and of course Lasse on trumpet.

4. MARIA From the movie/stage show WEST SIDE STORY. Music by Leonard Bernstein. Maynards all-time "HIT" ballad. Skåne plays the tenor solo- Listen to Lasse on trumpet and his wonderful re-arrangement of this lovely melody.

5. THE FOX HUNT (3,28) Yet another version of Mike Abene’s great chart. Lasse and trumpeter Johan Holmberg both solo on this.

6. SI SI M.F. A terrific latin treatment of this rarely heard Don Rader original. Featuring Lars-Göran "Symphony” DIMLE, and "Plåt”-Niklas Rydh on trombones, plus a wild ride from the drummers.

7. LEFT BANK EXPRESS Written and arranged by pianist Pete Jackson. One of Lasse’s favourite MF tunes, he heard it at age 15 on the MF albums MF 4 plus 5. We just had to record it here. It features Jens Nilsson -tenor sax, Eric Kristoffersson -baritone sax, both drummers and of course Lasse.

8. NEW BAG BLUES Mike Abene original dedicated to Charles Mingus. This 6/8 time chart is very much like "THE MINGUS BIG BAND" Solos. Kristoffersson baritone sax. Lasse trumpet and Johan Johansson keyboard.

9. I CANT GET STARTED WITH YOU A fine adaptation by Lasse of the Jackson/Garside arrangement. Johansson is featured on grand piano------ Oh Yes. Lasse sing's, a story about love and the old M. F. trumpet. Original by George & Ira Gershwin.

10. THE SERPENT by Keith Mansfield. This rocking tune has Lasse on valve-trombone, amplified trumpet and Niklas Rydh on slide trombone and total chaos from the rhythm section.

11. I GOT THE SPIRIT / BLUE BIRDLAND he all time Ferguson favourite penned by Slide Hamton. Cedergren, Nilsson, Kristoffersson, Borgström -saxes. Lasse-trumpet, and Choir-the whole band.


Produced by Ernie Garside & Lasse Lindgren


Release date: 2009-10-01
Run Time: 62 minutes
Label: IMOGENA Records
Identifier: