Maynard Ferguson – Conquistador (VG+/VG+) – LP, US 1977

Conquistador is an LP by Maynard Ferguson from 1977 released on the Columbia label.

About this album

Conquistador finds Maynard Ferguson pushing his big-band sound into glossy late-70s crossover territory. Released in 1977, the album folds jazz-funk, disco pulse and familiar screen themes into a sleek fusion setting that suits Ferguson’s piercing upper-register trumpet and tightly arranged brass sections. Best known for its spirited take on ‘Gonna Fly Now’ from Rocky, the record shows how Ferguson adapted to the era without losing the punch and theatrical flair that made him a standout bandleader. It remains a strong example of accessible jazz fusion with mainstream appeal.