The first time I saw Maynard was in 1975 at the Watchung View Inn in New Jersey. As a young high school trumpet player, I was in awe of this guy who had enless chops and was front and center at the 3 set dinner/concert that went to the late hours of the morning. MF signed my copy of Chameleon and even placed his horn on my table during a rest in the show.
I have seen him live every chance I get since then and just saw him in April at the Luhr's theater at Shippensburg University in PA. He was still amazing and I was glad my son got to see him a couple of times with me. His death has shocked me and I can't believe he's gone, but I would love to think that he is going to play "the trump of God" when the saints come marching in at the Lord's coming, as Maynard always referred to the trumpet as God's instrument. May he make beautiful music in heaven as he did on earth.