He was the "upper register" King! You guys are right: his band was full of younger players from the best music schools in the country.What a learning experience/opportunity for them!
Sadly, like others doing what he did, he probably didn't make as much as a senior engineer at a Fortune 500 company (and he was one of the successful ones), but he made his choices, stayed true to his music and made the world a better place. He was that great mix of entertainer, educator and outstanding performing musician. He's proof that some musicians do make valuable contributions as educators in public performance modes.
I was introduced to Maynard in 1963 by Ray Brown on the Steve Allen show. He blew this smart assed 16 year old (at the time) away, and was one reason I was hooked on jazz for life.
In appreciation,
Russ