Cat No JAZZBEAT514

· This release contains the complete contents of the original Maynard Ferguson big band LPs “Plays Jazz for Dancing” (1959) and “Let’s Face the Music and Dance”(1960) plus three rare bonus tracks taken from the same sessions and previously issued as singles or on compilation albums.

· His bands for these two sessions included : Don Ellis, Don Sebesky, Slide Hampton, Jaki Byard, Joe Farrell, Lanny Morgan, Rufus Jones, Jimmy Ford, Willie Maiden, Chet Ferretti, Rick Kiefer, Jerry Tyree, Frankie Dunlop, John Lanni, Bob Dogan & Jimmy Rowser.

· The great Canadian-born trumpeter Maynard Ferguson died in California on August 23, 2006, at the age of 78. His career had spanned over 60 years. He formed his own 14-piece band in 1956, and as it starred at the famous Birdland club in New York, it picked up the moniker the “Birdland Dream Band” - which remained active for nearly nine years, during an era in which most big bands saw very difficult times due to the change of times and musical styles.

· Digipak Edition - 26-tracks - Splendid sound quality • new & careful 20-bit remastering - Total time: 78:59 min.