Draft:Mark Ferguson
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Mark Ferguson (musician) | |
|---|---|
| Born | Montreal, Canada |
| Genres | Jazz, Latin jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, arranger, educator |
| Instrument(s) | Piano, trombone |
| Years active | 1970s–present |
| Website | markferguson.ca |
Mark Ferguson is a Canadian jazz musician, composer, and educator based in Ottawa, Ontario. He is known for his work with a variety of internationally recognized artists and his contributions to music education in Canada.
Early life and education
[edit]Mark Ferguson was born in Montreal in 1957 and was raised in Ottawa, Ontario. After high school, he moved to Toronto to study music at Humber College before leaving school to join the national tour with the National Arts Centre Theatre Company. He later earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Ottawa.[1]
Mentors of Ferguson include grammy and juno winning Canadian jazz trombonist Rob McConnell, reknowned trombonist Jerry Johnson, and Ottawa-based jazz saxophonist Hugh O'Connor.
Career
[edit]Ferguson has performed with a variety of internationally recognized artists, including Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Gil Evans, Nelson Riddle, Dionne Warwick, Natalie Cole, Tom Jones, Rosemary Clooney, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Gino Vannelli, Rob McConnell & the Boss Brass, Holly Cole, Manteca, The Funk Brothers, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra.[2]
He has composed music for television programs such as Life & Times, Cottage Country, and On the Road Again. His compositions also appear in the Treehouse Television series Toy Castle and in various commercials and independent recordings.[3]
As an arranger, Ferguson has worked with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the RCMP Band, the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces, and the HMCS Stadacona Band. He also leads the Latin-jazz ensemble Los Gringos.[4]
Ferguson is a fixture of Ottawa’s jazz scene, performing regularly with groups such as the Ferguson/Tremblay Quartet, The Prime Rib Big Band, The Commotions and the National Arts Centre Orchestra.[5] [6]
Educational work
[edit]Ferguson previously taught jazz trombone at McGill University and has served for over 30 years as an intructor at Carleton University.[2][1] Courses taught range from jazz theory to orchestration to arranging.
For nearly two decades, Ferguson directed the Carleton University Jazz Ensemble, stepping down from the role in 2020.[7]
Recognition
[edit]Ferguson has been interviewed and profiled in several publications discussing his work and career. He was interviewed in *Artsfile* during the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival.[8] He also appeared on the Leah Roseman podcast, where he discussed his career and creative process.[9]
Ferguson participates in community music events, such as monthly jazz vespers at St. Paul's Anglican Church in Osgoode.[10]
External links
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Mark Ferguson". Carleton University. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
- ^ a b "Mark Ferguson Faculty Profile". McGill University. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
- ^ "Mark Ferguson". Canadian Jazz Archive Online. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
- ^ "Mark Ferguson". MusicFest Canada. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
- ^ "Ferguson/Tremblay Quartet at the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival". National Arts Centre. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
- ^ "Trumpeter Ed Lister's Prime Rib Big Band beefs up the Ottawa jazz scene". The Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
- ^ "End of an Era: Carleton Music Salutes Outgoing Jazz Ensemble Director Mark Ferguson". Carleton University. 2020. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
- ^ Kates, Graham (June 2019). "Putting some swing into music with Mark Ferguson". Artsfile. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
- ^ Roseman, Leah (2022). "Mark Ferguson - Full Interview Transcript". leahroseman.com. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
- ^ "Trying Something New: Contextual Mission and New Worshipping Communities". Ottawa Anglican News. Retrieved April 19, 2025.