James Edwin Ferguson (born December 23, 1948) is an American guitarist, composer, journalist, and educator. Born in

Dayton, Ohio Dayton () is the sixth-largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County. A small part of the city extends into Greene County. The 2020 U.S. census estimate put the city population at 137,644, while Greater Day ...

, Ferguson began his early music education playing the trombone at age 7, and then after eight years of study, switched to the guitar at age 15. He moved to California and began his music career in the 1970s, performing, teaching, and devoting serious study to the guitar. He has performed in the U.S. and abroad, is featured on solo guitar CDs showcasing his original compositions for classical guitar, and has had numerous compositions published in both anthologies''Master Anthology of Blues Guitar Solos Volume 1'' (Book/2 CD set), 2000,

Mel Bay Publications Mel Bay (February 25, 1913 – May 14, 1997) was an American musician and publisher best known for his series of music education books. His '' Encyclopedia of Guitar Chords'' remains a bestseller. Biography Early life Melbourne E. Bay was bo ...

. A Mel Bay bestseller. .''Master Anthology of Jazz Guitar Solos Volume 1'' (Book/3 CD set), 2000, Mel Bay Publications. .''Contemporary Anthology of Solo Guitar Music for Five Fingers of the Right Hand'', 2009, edited by Charles Postlewate, Mel Bay Publications. .''25 Compositions'' (Book/CD set), 2011, Les Productions d'OZ, Canada. .''Learn & Conquer Guitar Repertoire with Xuefei Yang, Intermediate 1'', 2015, Various composers, Les Productions d'OZ, Canada. . alongside the works of other notable contemporary composers and in publications dedicated solely to his works.''12 Simple Jazzy Studies'', 2010, by Jim Ferguson, Les Productions d'OZ, Canada. .''Cirque du Soul'', 2010, by Jim Ferguson, Les Productions d'OZ, Canada. .''Lady Di'', 2010, by Jim Ferguson, Les Productions d'OZ, Canada. .''Film Noir—Four Scenes'', 2011, by Jim Ferguson, Les Productions d'OZ, Canada. .''Four Monsters'', 2012, by Jim Ferguson, Les Productions d'OZ, Canada. .''Requiem for a Fallen Artist'', 2012, by Jim Ferguson, Les Productions d'OZ, Canada. (also published in ''25 Compositions'').''Winedark Sea'', 2013, by Jim Ferguson, Les Productions d'OZ, Canada. .''Jazzotica'', 2014, by Jim Ferguson, Les Productions d'OZ, Canada. .''12 Semi-Simple Jazzy Studies'', 2015, by Jim Ferguson, Les Productions d'OZ, Canada. .''Night Cats'', 2017, by Jim Ferguson, Les Productions d'OZ, Canada. . He has written several jazz guitar instructional books, including ''All Blues for Jazz Guitar''.''All Blues for Jazz Guitar—Comping Styles, Chords & Grooves,'' 1997, by Jim Ferguson. Book/CD set. Published by Guitar Master Class Publications, distributed by Mel Bay Publications. A Mel Bay Bestseller. . He is a

Grammy The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pre ...

-nominated

National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences The Recording Academy (formally the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences; abbreviated NARAS) is an American Learned society, learned academy of musicians, producers, recording engineers, and other musical professionals. It is famous f ...

: ''Grammy Award Nomination'', Best Album Notes, presented to

Orrin Keepnews Orrin Keepnews (March 2, 1923 – March 1, 2015) was an American jazz writer and record producer known for founding Riverside Records and Milestone Records, for freelance work, and for his work at other labels. Biography Early life Keepnews ...

and Jim Ferguson for ''Wes Montgomery—Wes Montgomery: The Complete Riverside Recordings, The Complete Riverside Recordings'', for the awards period 1993 (presented in 1994). music journalist and editor. He holds B.S. and M.F.A. degreesBachelor of Science in Graphic Design, 1975, San Jose State University, San Jose, California.Master of Fine Arts in Performance and Literature, 1990, Mills College, Oakland, California. Master's Thesis: "

Darius Milhaud Darius Milhaud (; 4 September 1892 – 22 June 1974) was a French composer, conductor, and teacher. He was a member of Les Six—also known as ''The Group of Six''—and one of the most prolific composers of the 20th century. His compositions ...

's ''Segoviana''—History, Style, Implications." Guitar Instructor: David Tanenbaum. and has taught guitar and music courses at universities in California for over 25 years, has conducted guitar and music workshops in the U.S. and abroad, and has taught guitar privately for over 40 years.''The Jazz Guitar—Its Evolution, Players and Personalities since 1900'', by Maurice J. Summerfield. 4th edition (1998), Ashley Mark Publishing Company. .

Journalism

Ferguson has written articles for ''

Guitar Player ''Guitar Player'' is an American popular magazine for guitarists, founded in 1967 in San Jose, California. It contains articles, interviews, reviews and lessons of an eclectic collection of artists, genres and products. It has been in print si ...

'' (1979–1992), ''

Down Beat ' (styled in all caps) is an American music magazine devoted to "jazz, blues and beyond", the last word indicating its expansion beyond the jazz realm which it covered exclusively in previous years. The publication was established in 1934 in Chi ...

'', ''

JazzTimes ''JazzTimes'' is an American magazine devoted to jazz. Published 10 times a year, it was founded in Washington, D.C. in 1970 by Ira Sabin as the newsletter ''Radio Free Jazz'' to complement his record store. Coverage After a decade of growth ...

'', ''Fingerstyle Guitar'', and ''Classical Guitar'' (1993–1998). As a student, he studied with George Barnes,

Lenny Breau Leonard Harold Breau (August 5, 1941 – August 12, 1984) was an American-Canadian guitarist. He blended many styles of music, including jazz, country, classical, and flamenco. Inspired by country guitarists like Chet Atkins, Breau used fingers ...

, David Tanenbaum, and

José Rey de la Torre José Rey de la Torre (December 9, 1917 – July 21, 1994) was one of the most significant classical guitarists of the mid-twentieth century, and considered by many to be the father of "modern classical guitar technique". Early life Rey studied ...

. He received a Master of Fine Arts degree in Performance and Literature from Mills College and wrote his thesis on

. He has written for '' The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz'','' The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz'', Macmillan Press Limited, London, 1988 (first edition). and edited several volumes for Guitar Solo Publications of San Francisco, including an instructional series on the works of

Fernando Sor Fernando Sor (bapt. 14 Feb. 1778, died 10 July 1839) was a Spanish classical guitarist and composer of the Romantic music, Early Romantic era. Best known for writing solo classical guitar music, he also composed an opera (at the age of 19), thr ...

Leo Brouwer Juan Leovigildo Brouwer Mezquida (born March 1, 1939) is a Cuban composer, conductor, and classical guitarist. He is a Member of Honour of the International Music Council. Family He is the grandson of Cuban composer Ernestina Lecuona y Casado. ...

, and

Matteo Carcassi Matteo Carcassi (8 April 1796 – 16 January 1853)Raffaele Carpino, Mario dell'Ara: "Matteo Carcassi. Un nuovo aggiornamento biografico", in: ''Il Fronimo'' no. 184 (2018), p. 5–9. was an Italian guitarist and composer. Life Carcassi was born i ...

, and

Federico Moreno Torroba Federico Moreno Torroba (3 March 189112 September 1982) was a Spanish composer, conductor, and theatrical impresario. He is especially remembered for his important contributions to the classical guitar repertoire, becoming one of the leading twe ...

's ''Castillos de España''. He also compiled numerous collections of historic performances for

Fantasy Records Fantasy Records is an American independent record label company founded by brothers Max and Sol Stanley Weiss in 1949. The early years of the company were dedicated to issuing recordings by jazz pianist Dave Brubeck, who was also one of its inves ...

Rhino Records A rhinoceros (; ; ), commonly abbreviated to rhino, is a member of any of the five extant species (or numerous extinct species) of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae. (It can also refer to a member of any of the extinct species o ...

, and

Concord Records Concord Records is an American record label owned by Concord and based in Los Angeles, California. Concord Records was launched in 1995 as an imprint designed to reach beyond the company's foundational Concord Jazz label. The label's artists have ...

,Jim Ferguson's album credits
(partial listing) on

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

, retrieved June 22, 2011. and worked on several projects for other labels including

Riverside Records Riverside Records was an American jazz record company and label. Founded by Orrin Keepnews and Bill Grauer, Jr, under his firm Bill Grauer Productions in 1953, the label played an important role in the jazz record industry for a decade. Riverside ...

. In 1994, Ferguson and

earned a

Grammy Award The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pres ...

nomination for

Best Album Notes The Grammy Award – Best Album Notes has been presented since 1964. From 1973 to 1976 (the 15th through 18th Awards), a second award was presented for Best Album Notes – Classical. Those awards are listed under those years below. The award recog ...

for their liner notes to the 12-CD set ''

Wes Montgomery John Leslie "Wes" Montgomery (March 6, 1923 – June 15, 1968) was an American jazz guitarist. Montgomery was known for an unusual technique of plucking the strings with the side of his thumb and his extensive use of octaves, which gave him a dist ...

— The Complete Riverside Recordings''. The notes include a biography of Montgomery by Ferguson and interviews with

Nat Adderley Nathaniel Carlyle Adderley (November 25, 1931 – January 2, 2000) was an American jazz trumpeter. He was the younger brother of saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, whom he supported and played with for many years. Adderley's composition " ...

Ron Carter Ronald Levin Carter (born May 4, 1937) is an American jazz double bassist. His appearances on 2,221 recording sessions make him the most-recorded jazz bassist in history. He has won three Grammy awards, and is also a cellist who has recorded nu ...

Kenny Burrell Kenneth Earl Burrell (born July 31, 1931) is an American jazz guitarist known for his work on numerous top jazz labels: Prestige, Blue Note, Verve, CTI, Muse, and Concord. His collaborations with Jimmy Smith were notable, and produced the 1965 ...

John Scofield John Scofield (born December 26, 1951), sometimes referred to as "Sco", is an American guitarist and composer whose music over a long career has blended jazz, jazz fusion, funk, blues, soul and rock. He first came to mainstream attention in the ...

, and

Tommy Flanagan Thomas Lee Flanagan (March 16, 1930 – November 16, 2001) was an American jazz pianist and composer. He grew up in Detroit, initially influenced by such pianists as Art Tatum, Teddy Wilson, and Nat King Cole, and then by bebop musicians. ...

."Jim Ferguson, the Jazz Guitar Guru," ''Guitar Profiles'' by Jude Hibler, ''20th Century Guitar Magazine'', November 2001, Volume 12, Number 11.

Composing

Ferguson writes compositions and arrangements for both solo guitar and ensemble settings, including nylon-string guitar and flute, and nylon-string guitar and

contrabass Contrabass (from it, contrabbasso) refers to several musical instruments of very low pitch—generally one octave below bass register instruments. While the term most commonly refers to the double bass (which is the bass instrument in the orchest ...

. He learned composition from Joseph Blaha and Ernest "Red" Varner. In the early 1990s, he began composing. In 2004, he released his first solo album, ''Cedar & Silver''.''Cedar & Silver'', 2004, by Jim Ferguson, Spring Street Records, SSR-2004. Tracks from ''Cedar & Silver'' such as "Aurora" and "Blanca" have been licensed by A&E,

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...

PBS The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is an American public broadcasting, public broadcaster and Non-commercial activity, non-commercial, Terrestrial television, free-to-air television network based in Arlington, Virginia. PBS is a publicly fu ...

Spike TV Paramount Network is an American basic cable television channel owned by the MTV Entertainment Group unit of Paramount Media Networks. The network's headquarters are located at the Paramount Pictures studio lot in Los Angeles. The channel was o ...

, and

MTV India MTV India is an Indian pay television channel specialising in music, reality and youth culture programming. It was launched in 1996 as the Indian version of MTV and is owned by Viacom 18, a joint venture operation between MTV International owne ...

. "Brothers" was licensed by

The History Channel History (formerly The History Channel from January 1, 1995 to February 15, 2008, stylized as HISTORY) is an American pay television network and flagship channel owned by A&E Networks, a joint venture between Hearst Communications and the Disney ...

for their special "The History of Thanksgiving." The score to "Asian Pavan"Review of ''Cedar & Silver'' CD by Dr. Frank Forte, ''Just Jazz Guitar Magazine'', November 2004, No. 41. was published in the October 2005 issue of ''Classical Guitar'' magazine"Asian Pavan" published in ''Classical Guitar'', October 2005 issue, Volume 24, Number 2, Ashley Mark Publishing Company, CGV24/02. and was included in the ''Contemporary Anthology of Solo Guitar Music for Five Fingers of the Right Hand''.''Moonstone'', 2009, by Jim Ferguson, Spring Street Records, SSR-2009. ''Moonstone'' (2009) consists of original compositions, including six pieces from ''12 Simple Jazzy Studies''. Other published works by Ferguson include ''Film Noir—Four Scenes'', "Requiem for a Fallen Artist," ''Four Monsters'', ''12 Semi-Simple Jazzy Studies'', "Winedark Sea," and ''Jazzotica''. He has performed with Paulo Bellinati,

Ray Drummond Ray Drummond (born November 23, 1946 in Brookline, Massachusetts) is an American jazz bassist and teacher. He also has an MBA from Stanford University, hence his linkage to the Stanford Jazz Workshop. He can be heard on hundreds of albums and co- ...

Jorge Morel Jorge Scibona (9 May 1931 – 10 February 2021), known professionally as Jorge Morel, was a classical guitarist and composer from Argentina. Biography Morel was born in Buenos Aires. His father taught him the rudiments of classical guitar from a ...

Tommy Tedesco Thomas Joseph Tedesco (July 3, 1930 – November 10, 1997) was an American guitarist and studio musician in Los Angeles and Hollywood. He was part of the loose collective of the area's leading session musicians later popularly known as The Wrec ...

, and

Ernie Watts Ernest James Watts (born October 23, 1945) is an American jazz and rhythm and blues saxophonist who plays soprano, alto, and tenor saxophone. He has worked with Charlie Haden's Quartet West and toured with the Rolling Stones. On Frank Zappa's ...

Teaching and writing

Ferguson has taught jazz and classical guitar privately and at California State University Monterey Bay (1998–2008), Evergreen Valley College (1990–2018), and San Jose City College (1991–1992). He has given private lessons, conducted workshops, and has appeared on radio and television. Ferguson's instructional books include examples written and played by him (on accompanying CDs). The first book in the series, ''All Blues for Jazz Guitar'', was named one of "100 Great Guitar Books" by ''

Acoustic Guitar Magazine ''Acoustic Guitar'' is a monthly magazine published in the United States since July/August 1990 by String Letter Publishing. The magazine offers information, inspiration, and instruction related to acoustic guitars for players of all levels from ...

''.''

'', December 1998 issue, Number 72: ''All Blues For Jazz Guitar'' by Jim Ferguson named one of "100 Great Guitar Books."

Discography

As leader

* ''Cedar & Silver'' (2004) * ''Moonstone'' (2009) * ''24 Jazzy Studies'' (2015)''24 Jazzy Studies'', 2015, by Jim Ferguson, Spring Street Records, SSR-2015.

As guest

* ''Songs for Our Fathers'' (2002),''Songs For Our Fathers'', 2002, by the Robin Anderson Big Band, RABB 001. Robin Anderson Big Band featuring Jim Ferguson and former members of the

Count Basie William James "Count" Basie (; August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. In 1935, he formed the Count Basie Orchestra, and in 1936 took them to Chicago for a long engagement and the ...

and

Woody Herman Woodrow Charles Herman (May 16, 1913 – October 29, 1987) was an American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading groups called "The Herd", Herman came to prominence in the late 1930s and was active until his dea ...

big bands.

Recordings by other artists

* Ferguson's "Requiem for a Fallen Artist" performed and recorded by Marlène Demers-Lemay on ''25 Compositions'',''25 Compositions'', 2011, by Marlène Demers-Lemay, Les Productions d'OZ, DZ1625CD. 2011. * Ferguson's ''Four Monsters'' suite performed and recorded by Meredith Connie on ''Fairy Tales, Monsters and Wild Animals'',''Fairy Tales, Monsters and Wild Animals'', 2017, by Meredith Connie,

Move Records Move Records is an Australian record label that was started in 1968 by Martin Wright. It concentrates primarily in classical and jazz music, particularly Australian, and most frequently Melbourne-based musicians and composers. Artists Compo ...

, MCD 567. 2017.

Published compositions

* "Asian Pavan" * "Sumi Dance" * "Debussiana" * "Chuck's Waltz" Dedicated to Charles Postlewate.Liner notes to ''Moonstone'', 2009, by Jim Ferguson, Spring Street Records, SSR-2009. * "Leo's Blues" Dedicated to

. * "Before Six" * "Study No. 1" (from ''12 Simple Jazzy Studies'') * "Study No. 2" (from ''12 Simple Jazzy Studies'') * "Study No. 3" (from ''12 Simple Jazzy Studies'') * "Study No. 4" (from ''12 Simple Jazzy Studies'') * "Study No. 5" (from ''12 Simple Jazzy Studies'') * "Study No. 6" (from ''12 Simple Jazzy Studies'') * "Study No. 7" (from ''12 Simple Jazzy Studies'') * "Study No. 8" (from ''12 Simple Jazzy Studies'') * "Study No. 9" (from ''12 Simple Jazzy Studies'') * "Study No. 10" (from ''12 Simple Jazzy Studies'') * "Study No. 11" (from ''12 Simple Jazzy Studies'') * "Study No. 12" (from ''12 Simple Jazzy Studies'') * "Cirque du Soul" * "Lady Di" * "Dark Streets & Shadows" (from ''Film Noir—Four Scenes'') * "Wheelman" (from ''Film Noir—Four Scenes'') * "Femme Fatale" (from ''Film Noir—Four Scenes'') * "Heater" (from ''Film Noir—Four Scenes'') * "Requiem for a Fallen Artist" * "Frankenstein Meets The Jazzman" (from ''Four Monsters'') * "The Raven Vanishes" (from ''Four Monsters'') * "Mad Love" (from ''Four Monsters'') * "The Fly" (from ''Four Monsters'') * "Winedark Sea" Dedicated to JoAnn Falletta. * ''Jazzotica'' (three-movement suite) * "Study No. 1" (from ''12 Semi-Simple Jazzy Studies'') * "Study No. 2" (from ''12 Semi-Simple Jazzy Studies'') * "Study No. 3" (from ''12 Semi-Simple Jazzy Studies'') * "Study No. 4" (from ''12 Semi-Simple Jazzy Studies'') * "Study No. 5" (from ''12 Semi-Simple Jazzy Studies'') * "Study No. 6" (from ''12 Semi-Simple Jazzy Studies'') * "Study No. 7" (from ''12 Semi-Simple Jazzy Studies'') * "Study No. 8" (from ''12 Semi-Simple Jazzy Studies'') * "Study No. 9" (from ''12 Semi-Simple Jazzy Studies'') * "Study No. 10" (from ''12 Semi-Simple Jazzy Studies'') * "Study No. 11" (from ''12 Semi-Simple Jazzy Studies'') * "Study No. 12" (from ''12 Semi-Simple Jazzy Studies'') * ''Night Cats'' (three-movement suite)

Jazz guitar instructional books

* ''All Blues for Jazz Guitar—Comping Styles, Chords & Grooves,'' 1997. Book/CD set. * ''All Blues Soloing for Jazz Guitar —Scales, Licks, Concepts & Choruses,''''All Blues Soloing for Jazz Guitar —Scales, Licks, Concepts & Choruses,'' 1999, by Jim Ferguson. Book/CD set. Published by Guitar Master Class Publications, distributed by Mel Bay Publications. . 1999. Book/CD set. * ''All Blues Scale for Jazz Guitar—Solos, Grooves & Patterns'',''All Blues Scale for Jazz Guitar—Solos, Grooves & Patterns'', 2000, by Jim Ferguson. Book/CD set. Published by Guitar Master Class Publications, distributed by Mel Bay Publications. . 2000. Book/CD set. * ''All Solos & Grooves for Jazz Guitar—Position Studies, Scales & Patterns'',''All Solos & Grooves for Jazz Guitar—Position Studies, Scales & Patterns'', 2001, by Jim Ferguson. Book/CD set. Published by Guitar Master Class Publications, distributed by Mel Bay Publications. . 2001. Book/CD set. * ''All Intros & Endings for Jazz Guitar—Bebop, Swing, Latin, Ballads'',''All Intros & Endings for Jazz Guitar—Bebop, Swing, Latin, Ballads'', 2003, by Jim Ferguson. Book/CD set. Published by Guitar Master Class Publications, distributed by Mel Bay Publications. . 2003. Book/CD set. * ''Shapes, Patterns & Lines for Jazz Guitar'',''Shapes, Patterns & Lines for Jazz Guitar'', 2007, by Jim Ferguson. Book/CD set. Published by Guitar Master Class Publications, distributed by Mel Bay Publications. . 2007. Book/CD set. * ''Comping Standards for Jazz Guitar'',''Comping Standards for Jazz Guitar'', 2014, by Jim Ferguson. Book/CD set. Published by Guitar Master Class Publications, distributed by Mel Bay Publications. . 2014. Book/CD set.

Awards and honors

* ''Grammy Award'' nomination (1994), Best Album Notes

, San Francisco chapter: ''Achievement Certificate'', presented to Jim Ferguson for his achievement in the recording of '' The Complete Riverside Recordings'' and nomination for a Grammy Award in the category Best Album Notes, February 1994. * ''Achievement Certificate'' (1994) from the San Francisco chapter of the

, presented to Jim Ferguson for his achievement in the recording of '' The Complete Riverside Recordings''

, San Francisco chapter: ''Achievement Certificate'', presented to Jim Ferguson for his achievement in the recording of '' The Complete Riverside Recordings'' and nomination for a Grammy Award in the category Best Album Notes, February 1994. * ''Maggie Award'' for Best Instructional Column (1989) for Jim Ferguson's column ''Fundamentals'' in ''

''Western Publishing Association: ''Maggie Award'' for Best Instructional Column (1989) for Jim Ferguson's column ''Fundamentals'' in ''

''. * ''Maggie Award'' for Best Instructional Series (1988) for Jim Ferguson's ''Master Series'' in ''

''Western Publishing Association: ''Maggie Award'' for Best Instructional Series (1988) for Jim Ferguson's ''Master Series'' in ''

''. *

Mills College Mills College at Northeastern University is a private college in Oakland, California and part of Northeastern University's global university system. Mills College was founded as the Young Ladies Seminary in 1852 in Benicia, California; it was ...

Alumnae Scholarship (1989)

Admissions and Records, Oakland, California * "Romantico y Allegro Ritmico" (1992) by

, dedicated to Jim Ferguson"Romantico y Allegro Ritmico" (to Jim Ferguson) by

, 1992, published in: ''Virtuoso South American Guitar'', v. 06, 1993, found i
Catalogue: "Guitar music, 2. Solo guitar repertoire, Selection 09.2010" at Artediffusion.com
, retrieved November 21, 2010. * "Chinese Metronome" (2009) by Charles Postlewate, dedicated to Jim Ferguson

References

External links

Official site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ferguson, Jim 1948 births 20th-century American guitarists American classical guitarists American instructional writers American jazz composers American jazz guitarists American male guitarists American music educators American music journalists American writers about music Composers for the classical guitar Guitarists from Ohio Jazz writers Journalists from Ohio Living people American male jazz composers Musicians from Dayton, Ohio Writers from Dayton, Ohio Educators from Ohio Jazz musicians from Ohio Classical musicians from Ohio 20th-century American male musicians