Mark Ferguson: Jazz Pianist, Trombonist, Composer, Arranger, Producer and Music Educator

Mark Ferguson is a jazz pianist, trombonist, composer, arranger, producer and music educator. In this episode you get to hear him perform 3 of his original compositions on piano. We talk about his mentors, perspectives on music education and the interesting twists and turns in his varied career. He’s performed with many of the world’s great artists including Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Gil Evans, Aretha Franklin, Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass, Holly Cole and Manteca,. Mark Ferguson website: http://markferguson.ca/music/

All these episodes are available in video format as well, and the transcripts are gradually being published to my blog: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/mark-ferguson-jazz-pianist-trombonist-composer-arranger-producer-and-music-educator

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photo credit: Claude Brazeau

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(00:56) how we met

(02:29) Mark’s early education and gigs

(08:32) lessons with Jerry Johnson and playing gigs with Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Rita Moreno

(11:06) lessons with Rob McConnell, arranging, valve trombone

(14:37) Mark’s composition “F Sharp”

(20:55) jazz harmony, different roles as rhythm player in the band and horn player

(22:40) Miguel De Armas

(23:13) Manteca, Colleen Allen, Matt Zimbel

(26:29) teaching at McGill University

(27:52) Classical and jazz worlds James McGowan

(30:37) Kellylee Evans, Ella Fitzgerald, jazz

(31:18) teaching orchestration and theory

(33:04) learning tunes and Hugh O’Connor

(35:19) learning lyrics and Ben Webster story

(37:00) transposition

(39:21) importance of keyboard skills

(40:15) Voicing chords

(42:00) arranging

(43:09) staying in shape as a trombonist

(43:45) pandemic experience, performing on Syncspace live

(44:45) teaching online

(46:32) variety in rhythm, keeping the groove

(50:21) working with high school students, jazz history

(52:19) Mark’s composition “Home”

(59:51) performance skills

(01:01:42) Mark’s new solo album plans

(01:03:03) different sides of Mark’s personality as a trombone player and pianist, big band versus small ensemble

(01:04:16) jazz audience, advantages of knowing jazz harmony, Alexander Shelley

(01:07:04) Mark’s early days as a jazz pianist, career choices

(01:08:42) advice for young players

(01:10:04) Vista Trio, playing with others to keep in shape

(01:11:37) difference between composition and improvisation

(01:12:14) staying healthy

(01:14:37) Mark’s composition “Take the O Train”