US jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson has died at the age of 78.
Ferguson was known for his soaring high notes and his hit recording of Gonna Fly Now,which lent the musical muscle to the Rockymovie.
The artist, who lived in Ojai, California, died in hospital from kidney and liver failure due to an abdominal infection. Ferguson's four daughters and other family members were at his side.
"He was the last of the greats. That era is closed. There is no Kenton, no Basie, no Ellington, and now, no Ferguson," his manager, Steve Schankman, said.
Ferguson became identified with ear-piercing power and dizzying high notes that he was still able to play with precision. "My instrument is a thing of pleasure, and I play it only because I enjoy it," he once said.
The trumpeter credited yoga with enabling him to harness the full capacity of his lungs and routinely hit a double-high-C.
As with many esteemed jazz players, mainstream success largely eluded Ferguson, although he scored a Top 10 hit with his version of Gonna Fly Now, and the single spawned a gold album and a Grammy nomination in 1978.