Miguel Atwood-Ferguson

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson is a Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist, session musician, arranger, composer, music director, producer, DJ, orchestral conductor and educator.[1] He has contributed to over 500 recordings and scored for television and film with various musicians.

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson
Birth nameMiguel Atwood-Ferguson
BornTopanga, California
GenresHip hop, Folk, Classical, Jazz, Experimental
Occupation(s)Musician, session musician, multi-instrumentalist, composer, orchestral conductor
InstrumentsViola, Violin, Cello, Bass, Piano, Keyboards, Percussion, Vocals
LabelsBrainfeeder
Associated actsFlying Lotus, Thundercat, Carlos Niño, Quartetto Fantastico, Bilal, J Dilla, Cinematic Orchestra
Websitehttp://miguelatwoodferguson.com/

Early life

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson grew up in Topanga, California, an arts district in Western Los Angeles. His parents instilled in him an appreciation of cultures from around the world and an ethic of dedicated study. His father is a multi-instrumentalist, backing people such as Etta James, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Ry Cooder, and Johnny Otis. His mother was an educator with a passion for empowering those around her.[2] Together his parents created a childhood environment rich in diverse sounds. As an infant when left alone in his crib, his parents put on repeat tapes with music by Beethoven, Chopin, Mozart,[3] Bach and Brahms. At age four,[3] Atwood-Ferguson's parents enrolled him in weekly violin lessons after he expressed interest in playing the violin upon seeing other children playing the instrument at the music institute where his brother was studying piano. Following this early exposure, he enrolled in weekly violin, chamber music, and music theory lessons, and joined the Orchestra da' Camera at The Colburn School from ages 8 to 15. During this time he began composing for symphonic orchestra, with his first original symphonic composition, at age ten,[3] played by the Pacific Palisades Symphony. At age twelve he switched to viola and continued focusing on classical music while an interest in the music of Motown, Jimi Hendrix, and The Beatles also continued to develop. In high school he developed interests in jazz and hip-hop which have carried over into a lifelong passion and career.[2]

Education

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson attended University of Southern California in Los Angeles, graduating with a bachelor's degree in classical viola. During this time he studied with Professor Donald McInnes, student of William Primrose with direct ties to Beethoven.[2]

Career

Atwood-Ferguson has contributed to over 500 recordings and scored for television and film with musicians such as Ray Charles, Flying Lotus, Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, Bilal, Seu Jorge, and Thundercat.[4]

In 2011, with a full orchestra he reimagined some of J Dilla's music on an album titles Suite for Ma Dukes.[1][3][5]

He played at Melbourne Jazz Festival in 2013.[6]

Spirituality

Atwood-Ferguson practices Nichiren Buddhism with the Soka Gakkai International.[1]

Discography

Albums
  • Suite for Ma Dukes (Mochilla, 2011)[3]
  • Chicago Waves (International Anthem, 2020) – with Carlos Niño[7]
  • Chicago Waves Remixes (International Anthem, 2020) – Four remixes made with music originally composed and recorded by Niño and Atwood-Ferguson for Chicago Waves

Appearances

References
  1. Ratliff, Ben (July 11, 2011). "Improvisation in Harlem, Corner of Hip-Hop and Jazz". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  2. Sandler, Eric. "Miguel Atwood-Ferguson: Assembling the Ensemble". Revive Music. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  3. "J Dilla: the Mozart of hip-hop". The Guardian. January 27, 2011. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  4. Closs, Wyatt. "Miguel Atwood-Ferguson: A Different Grand Performance". Huffington Post. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  5. Johnson, Catalina Maria. "Miguel Atwood-Ferguson translates the works of hip-hop prodigy J Dilla into orchestral majesty". Chicago Reader. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  6. James, David (June 7, 2013). "Melbourne jazz festival 2013: reviews and weekend highlights". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  7. "Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and Carlos Niño: Chicago Waves review: John Lewis's contemporary album of the month". The Guardian. July 10, 2020. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  8. Hutchinson, Kate (July 26, 2020). "Kamaal Williams: Wu Hen review – genre-bending prodigy strikes again". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  9. Kalia, Ammar (July 24, 2020). "Kamaal Williams: Wu Hen review – jazz-soul revivalist's fitful return". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
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