Maynard...by his son-in-law

Solar Bell · 10-16-2006, 01:56 PM

This is an email that came to me from a respected jazz musician....
-cw-

This account is written by Christian Jacob, Maynard's son-in-law, who for
a time performed in Maynard's band on piano.

Maynard has always treated me as an equal, and I am sure that anybody that
has been in the band has always felt this way. In the first month I was in
the band, the fact that I was his son-in-law, if anything, has been more
of weirdness for me on the bandstand than anything else. I think that the
more time passed, the more Maynard was relieved to see that I was not a
bad musician; it could have been really weird. He ended up loving the
situation, and made sure that when it was time to introduce me, he would
extend it and slip in a joke about how he had to let his youngest daughter
go to a Frenchman in order to have him in the band.
Another time where MF seemed relieved was when we were touring and on the
band bus, we were taking the driver's microphone and telling jokes. After
telling my joke, which by the way, was the dirtiest joke you can imagine,
I remember seeing his face filled with shock, then after a few seconds
uncontrollable laughter. Since this day, he knew that his son-in- law was
one of the guys.

Since the death of Flo, his beloved wife [about a year ago], Wilder, my
wife (his youngest daughter), and I lived with Maynard until the end of
his life. We were taking care of the house when he was on tour and taking
care of him when he was home. Maynard has always loved sports, but soccer
wasn't really part of his sports interests, but he knew that soccer was
the only sport that interested me, especially at world cup season. He made
a point to watch every match of the 2006 Mundial with me and Wilder (who
is a soccer fan as well). By the time of the (infamous) final, the whole
family was watching and rooting for France, of course (my country of
origin).

Lastly, I'd like to recount the most touching moment I'll ever remember.
My 22-year-old cat, Dezi, whom
Maynard was very fond of (he used to bounce her up and down on his belly)
passed away. It was a pretty emotional day for all of us, and Maynard
insisted on playing "Taps" for the little garden ceremony we had planned.
Suddenly he turned to me and apologized for not having asked me first if
that was the way I would like it to be. I was of course lost for words and
reassured him that I loved the idea.
Anyway, Maynard was helped down to the bumpy part of the garden, and with
his cane (because of his feet swollen by gout) he slowly sat on a stool
and played slowly and beautifully. He played with such a gorgeous round
and full sound that I started crying. I remember hearing how carefully and
beautifully he diminished his last note into silence. He then cried and
was a little embarrassed about it. "Taps" was the last piece he ever
played on the trumpet. He passed away 4 days later with all the family
around him at his bed.

-cw-

ptynan · 10-16-2006, 02:08 PM

Thanks,....what a great tale.

PT

krossum · 10-16-2006, 02:25 PM

wow. thanks for sharing.
-Kelly

John P · 10-16-2006, 02:33 PM

awesome.

gzent · 10-16-2006, 02:52 PM

I miss The Boss.

Lawler Bb · 10-16-2006, 03:12 PM

Thanks for sharing this Chuck. What a great little story.

10-16-2006, 01:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
Solar Bell Moderator Fortissimo User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Metro Detroit Brand: Eclipse Posts: 3,748	Maynard...by his son-in-law This is an email that came to me from a respected jazz musician.... -cw- This account is written by Christian Jacob, Maynard's son-in-law, who for a time performed in Maynard's band on piano. Maynard has always treated me as an equal, and I am sure that anybody that has been in the band has always felt this way. In the first month I was in the band, the fact that I was his son-in-law, if anything, has been more of weirdness for me on the bandstand than anything else. I think that the more time passed, the more Maynard was relieved to see that I was not a bad musician; it could have been really weird. He ended up loving the situation, and made sure that when it was time to introduce me, he would extend it and slip in a joke about how he had to let his youngest daughter go to a Frenchman in order to have him in the band. Another time where MF seemed relieved was when we were touring and on the band bus, we were taking the driver's microphone and telling jokes. After telling my joke, which by the way, was the dirtiest joke you can imagine, I remember seeing his face filled with shock, then after a few seconds uncontrollable laughter. Since this day, he knew that his son-in- law was one of the guys. Since the death of Flo, his beloved wife [about a year ago], Wilder, my wife (his youngest daughter), and I lived with Maynard until the end of his life. We were taking care of the house when he was on tour and taking care of him when he was home. Maynard has always loved sports, but soccer wasn't really part of his sports interests, but he knew that soccer was the only sport that interested me, especially at world cup season. He made a point to watch every match of the 2006 Mundial with me and Wilder (who is a soccer fan as well). By the time of the (infamous) final, the whole family was watching and rooting for France, of course (my country of origin). Lastly, I'd like to recount the most touching moment I'll ever remember. My 22-year-old cat, Dezi, whom Maynard was very fond of (he used to bounce her up and down on his belly) passed away. It was a pretty emotional day for all of us, and Maynard insisted on playing "Taps" for the little garden ceremony we had planned. Suddenly he turned to me and apologized for not having asked me first if that was the way I would like it to be. I was of course lost for words and reassured him that I loved the idea. Anyway, Maynard was helped down to the bumpy part of the garden, and with his cane (because of his feet swollen by gout) he slowly sat on a stool and played slowly and beautifully. He played with such a gorgeous round and full sound that I started crying. I remember hearing how carefully and beautifully he diminished his last note into silence. He then cried and was a little embarrassed about it. "Taps" was the last piece he ever played on the trumpet. He passed away 4 days later with all the family around him at his bed. -cw-
	__________________ Chuck Willard *The Willard of Oz* "Don't be afraid to see what you see." Ronald Reagan

10-16-2006, 02:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
ptynan Pianissimo User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Brand: Edwards Posts: 232	Thanks,....what a great tale. PT
	__________________ Paul Tynan "Now Available in California!!"

10-16-2006, 02:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
krossum Piano User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Posts: 306	wow. thanks for sharing. -Kelly
	__________________ “This art is acquired only by laborious studies, for the rebellious nature of the instrument demands a great aptitude coupled with a persevering willingness to become a master of it.” – F.G.A. Dauverné (1857)

10-16-2006, 02:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
John P Piano User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Camp Hill, PA Posts: 313	awesome.
	__________________ JP

10-16-2006, 02:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
gzent Forte User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Rochester, MN Brand: Forza Posts: 1,515	I miss The Boss.
	__________________ Harmony and understanding Sympathy and trust abounding No more falsehoods or derisions Golden living dreams of visions Mystic crystal revalation And the mind's true liberation

10-16-2006, 03:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
Lawler Bb Pianissimo User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI Brand: Bach/Yamaha Posts: 213	Thanks for sharing this Chuck. What a great little story.
	__________________ Eric Sperry

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