Trumpeter Maynard Ferguson has died.

Ferguson died Wednesday at a hospital in Ventura, California, as a result of kidney and liver failure brought on by an abdominal infection, according to his spokeswoman. He was 78.

Ferguson performed with some of the great big bands of the 1940s, including Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Jimmy Dorsey. He became the leader of his own big band at the age of 17.

Ferguson recorded more than 60 albums. In spite of his jazz credentials, most people may know him for playing trumpet on “Gonna Fly Now,” the theme from the movie “Rocky.”

Ferguson had been performing in concert as recently in July. He and his band had also just recorded a new album.