An eccentric character who was a fine soloist and an underrated arranger, Willie Maiden played mostly in big bands throughout his career. He started studying piano when he was five and switched to saxophone at 11. Maiden was an arranger for Maynard Ferguson as early as 1952 and was a member (and a tenor soloist) for Ferguson during Ferguson's Roulette years, starting in 1956. Maiden played with Charlie Barnet in 1966 and from 1969-73 was the baritonist and a composer/arranger for Stan Kenton, being virtually the only veteran (other than the leader) in the youthful orchestra. Maiden's last few years were spent teaching at the University of Maine. The tenorman never led his own record session. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi