I'm probably pretty partial as I played the trumpet for many years. I first saw him perform when I was probably in junior high in the Rialto auditorium in Joliet, IL. Wow! Not only was he incredible, but his bands were always amazing. They performed Hey, Jude - and it blew the crowd away. Maynard was on the stage, and his band members walked off the stage and spaced themselves down three different aisles and played back toward the stage. Incredible.
Saw him many times after that. I think I have just about every CD they ever produced. He will be missed.