Changes

He began playing the trumpet at age nine. From 1943-1948 he attended the French Conservatory of Music.  In 1944 he guested with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Orchestra.  He joined the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra in March of 1949, and in 1950, joined the Stan Kenton orchestra.  While he wasn't the lead trumpet player, he was featured as a high note specialist with the 'Innovations Orchestra', especially on the track titled simply 'Maynard Ferguson', one of a series of numbers featuring different band members.

He began playing the trumpet at age nine. From 1943-1948 he attended the French Conservatory of Music.  In 1944 he guested with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Orchestra.  He joined the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra in March of 1949, and in 1950, joined the Stan Kenton orchestra.  While he wasn't the lead trumpet player, he was featured as a high note specialist with the 'Innovations Orchestra', especially on the track titled simply 'Maynard Ferguson', one of a series of numbers featuring different band members.

He won 'Downbeat''s (a popular jazz magazine) reader's poll as best trumpet player from 1951-1953.

He won the ''Downbeat'' (a popular jazz magazine) reader's poll as best trumpet player from 1951-1953.

In 1959 he performed Bill Russo's 'Titan Symphony' with the New York Philharmonic, directed by [[Leonard Bernstein]].

In 1959 he performed Bill Russo's 'Titan Symphony' with the New York Philharmonic, directed by [[Leonard Bernstein]].

In the 1970s, he achieved his greatest commercial success with his 1977 recording of 'Gonna Fly Now', the theme from ''Rocky'', which broke into the top 30 on the pop charts. His album ''Conquistador'' was nominated for a Grammy.

In the 1970s, he achieved his greatest commercial success with his 1977 recording of 'Gonna Fly Now', the theme from ''Rocky'', which broke into the top 30 on the pop charts. His album ''Conquistador'' was nominated for a Grammy.

In 1992 he was elected into the Downbeat Hall of Fame.   

In 1992 he was elected into the ''Downbeat'' Hall of Fame.   

In 1993 he was inducted into the International Association of Jazz Educators Hall of Fame

In 1993 he was inducted into the International Association of Jazz Educators Hall of Fame