Not Just Another Pretty Bass
Jim Ferguson--Vocals & Bass
Chris Potter--Tenor Saxophone
Pat Coil--Piano
Jim White--Drums
Deep Summer Music
Jim Ferguson--Vocals & Bass
Chris Potter--Tenor Saxophone
Stefan Karlsson--Piano
Jim White--Drums
Etkilendikleri
Red Mitchell, 1927-1992, was a talented bassist who was always in great demand. This photo was taken in a bass shop in Los Angeles in 1982. I first met Red at Chuck Israels' New York apartment around 1980. He had just returned from Sweden after a long absence from the U.S. jazz scene. From that meeting until his passing in 1992, Red was a constant source of inspiration and encouragement. His sense of melody will remain the standard for which I strive.
Bucky Pizzarelli is a superior guitarist who swing musicians in particular appreciate. Bucky Pizzarelli has been a fixture in jazz and the studios since the early '50s. Bucky and I worked together in 1994 at The Main Street Jazz Festival in Columbia, South Carolina. Bucky always lines up guitarists for the festival. Through him I've been able to play with many great guitarists (Mundell Lowe, Charlie Byrd, and Bucky). Bucky's son, John Pizzarelli, Jr., has also been a regular at the festival.
Eddie Daniels is without question a virtuoso who plays wondrous solos at any tempo, exploits every register and never seems to hit a clinker or make a mistake. I played with Eddie in 1994 at the Main Street Jazz Festival in Columbia, South Carolina.
Tenor man Lew Tabackin and trumpeter Clark Terry are two of the best horn players in Jazz. I had the honor of playing with them on several occasions at The Main Street Jazz Festival in Columbia, South Carolina. They play with so much depth and heart that itâs impossible not to get caught up in the excitement. This photo is from the â92 festival.
A charismatic pianist and vocalist, Mose Allison blends Southern wit and wisdom with urbane sophistication. I played with Mose in 1983 at the now defunct Cantrell's nightclub in Nashville, Tennessee. This was a real treat for me since I'd already been singing his songs for a number of years. Subsequent gigs have taken place at a popular songwriter's venue, The Bluebird Cafe, also in Nashville.
Pianist Marian McPartland has combined playing, broadcasting, recording and teaching in a distinguished manner. Her playing style fuses swing and bebop elements, and is both sophisticated and earthy. I first worked with Marian McPartland when she was a guest on the NPR program, "The American Popular Singer" hosted by Eileen Farrell. Iâve been fortunate to work several duo and trio dates with her. This shot was taken at a gig at The University of the South in 1986. Marian possesses a youthful energy in her playing and composing. I also admire her ability to keep NPRâs "Piano Jazz" alive and well in an age of short lived programming.
Mundell Lowe, Charlie Byrd and Bucky Pizzarelli are three of my favorite guitarists. Besides getting to play with these guys, Mundell has become a wonderful source of encouragement, often when I have needed it most. He is a world class player and a great person to know. This shot is from one of Buckyâs organized guitar sets during the 1994 Main Street Jazz Festival.
Jackie Cain is a great singer! She and Roy Krall were part of the 1994 Main Street Jazz Festival as well. These two innovative members of the vocal jazz community were a joy to work with.
One of the swing era's greatest pianists, Teddy Wilson's restrained, sophisticated approach moved the instrument into fresh territory. I worked with Teddy in 1984, two years before his death and it was an experience I'll never forget. He gave me his card and told me to call him if I got up to Boston. Unfortunately he was gone before I had the chance. I'm keeping that card though.
One of the great drummers of all time (and one of the few whose name can be said in the same sentence with Buddy Rich), Louie Bellson has the rare ability to continually hold one's interest throughout a 15-minute solo. Next to Louie is one of my mentors, Johnny Helms, a trumpeter who worked with Woody Herman, Sam Most, Clark Terry's Big Band and served as the Musical Director of the Main Street Jazz Festival In Columbia, South Carolina. Prior to this particular photo we had just finished a three drum set extravaganza with Louie, Bernard Purdie and Ed Soph all playing at the same time. It was especially nice to observe the respect and admiration from Bernard and Ed as they listened to Louie play.
When it comes to trombone players, you can't get much better than Urbie Green and Bill Watrous. They have both been a part of The Main Street Jazz Festival since its inception. This shot is from 1994.
Chris Potter has to be one of the best young tenor players in jazz today. He started sitting in with our band on a regular basis around 1979. I'm sure he was still in single digits. Even at that age Chris could really play. His folks would bring him to the gigs and stay with him till he had to go home (school nights and such). As far as I know, no one else in his family plays any musical instrument. This picture was taken in the studio during our recording sessions. I'm indebted to Chris for his generous contributions. His playing lifted each song to another level. I'm indeed grateful for his participation.
Jazz Vocalist/Bassist Jim Ferguson was born in Jefferson City, Missouri. His father was the music director in a large church in Columbia, South Carolina, so Jims training began like that of many jazz performers at church. Jim began singing in the childrens choir at four years old and also began piano lessons with the church organist. Singing was his main musical focus through high school, but just before graduation, Jim bought his first string bass to play with the church youth choir.
In 1969 Jim enrolled at the University of South Carolina to study voice. Graduate assistant George Naff started Jim playing walking bass lines. He received further tutelage from trumpeter Johnny Helms and guitarist Terry Rosen, veterans of the Woody Herman and Sammy Davis orchestras, respectively.
Songwriter/pianist Loonis McGlohon hired Jim around 1978 to play bass for NPRs, The American Popular Singer, with Eileen Farrell. Jim performed with Joe Williams, Marlene VerPlanck, Maxine Sullivan, David Allyn, and Julius LaRosa, as well as Bonnie Herman and Gene Puerling of The Singers Unlimited, and pianist, Marian McPartland.
In 1979 Jim began bass lessons with Michael Moore in New York City. Then Chuck Israels introduced Jim to Red Mitchell who had just returned to the United States after twelve years in Sweden. Jim spent many subsequent nights in an unofficial graduate school with Red at Bradleys in Greenwich Village.
Jim went back to South Carolina in 1980 and completed his undergraduate degree and a Master of Music degree with an emphasis in Jazz Performance. At that time a young saxophonist named Chris Potter began sitting in with local jazz groups. He already played well, though he was still very young.
After graduation Jim moved to Nashville, Tennessee. In addition to his successful work in Nashvilles commercial music industry, Jim has performed and/or recorded with a variety of jazz artists. These include Clark Terry, Red Rodney, Nat Adderly, Conti Candoli, Richard Sudhalter, Jimmy McPartland, Randy Brecker, Tim Hagans, Jimmy Heath, Tommy Newsom, Lew Tabackin, Arnie Lawrence, Chris Potter, Bob Sheppard, Eric Alexander, Ira Sullivan, Benny Goodman, Eddie Daniels, Nick Brignola, Kirk Whalum, Jeff Coffin, Bill Watrous, Urbie Green, Bucky Pizzarelli and John Pizzarelli, Jr., Charlie Byrd, Mundell Lowe, Jack Pearson, Kenny Burrell, Lenny Breau, Cal Collins, Jimmy Raney, Martin Taylor, Gene Bertoncini, Attila Zoller, Lorne Lofsky, Howard Alden, Rufus Reid, Johnny Frigo, Stephane Grappelli, Teddy Wilson, Phineas Newborn, Jr., Jay McShann, Derek Smith, Ross Tompkins, Steve Allen, Marian McPartland, Don Thompson, Kenny Werner, Jim Mcneeley, Ben Aranov, Ray Kennedy, Ed Soph, Roger Humphries, Harold Jones, Joe Cocuzzo, Bernard Purdie, Louie Bellson, Barbara Lea, Rosemary Clooney, Jackie Cain and Roy Kral, The HiLos, Mose Allison, Al Jarreau, Bob Dorough, Joe Williams and Teresa Brewer.
In 1996 Jim asked Chris Potter, pianist Pat Coil, and drummer Jim White to work with him on his first CD project, Not Just Another Pretty Bass (AL 73160). In 1997 jazz artist Bill Kirchner brought Jims project to the attention of Anne de Jong and Challenge Records in Holland. Not Just Another Pretty Bass was released on June 1, 1999. Chris Potter, Jim White, and pianist Stefan Karlsson joined Jim in April of 2000 to record Deep Summer Music (AL 73201), Jims second CD for Challenge/A-Records released October 17, 2000. Jim is currently finishing a duo recording with legendary guitarist Mundell Lowe for release later this year.
Jim has been interviewed by Bob Edwards on NPRs Morning Edition. He has been the featured guest on Marian McPartlands Piano Jazz. Jim has also been included on NPRs Jazz Profiles with Nancy Wilson in an episode on singing instrumentalists.
Jim chooses songs with strong melodies and interesting lyrics, believing that when a melody has a lyric associated with it, improvisation on that melody is accessible to a wider audience. Jazz improvisation is an equal element of his recordings, not merely accompaniment for his vocals.
Hey Thanks for the friendship, I truly appreciate it! I’m getting ready to play as much as possible in the US. Feel free to check out my band profile (see below), download free MP3s from my brandnew debut album or even become a fan! :)) Blessings, Vlada http://www.facebook.com/pages/VLADA/13506957663 PS: You can download the album on iTunes or order the Limited Second Edition CD here: www.vladamusic.com.
Posted the new songs so Pat, Jim and Jerry could take a listen.. hope you like them! It is still not too late to make some changes, so let me know if you hear anything off. Didn't have Jerry's email.. could you let him know they are up?
Since you’re one of my friends… I thought you'd want to know- I’m starring on a TV show, "Runnin' Wild from Ted Nugent" on CMT in August! To get all the details, enter your email address on my red & brown email sign up box on my MySpace page!. I’m psyched about being on it and I have a feeling you’ll love the TV show! Ha! Sage Keffer .com PS Country legend, Lee Roy Parnell, just left me a great note. See my top blog. It's incredible to get such a great endorsement from him!
Hello Jim Ferguson, thank you for the friendship, I pray the music God has given me the ability to write and sing, both encourages you and challenges you to walk closer to Him, turning further away from this world. God bless you
Thank you for your friendship. Please check out the my flyer for the great lineup of musicians I’m going to be working with at the Iridium Jazz Club on June 16th. I am so excited! Peace and love, Pat Holley
"In the immense silence of emptiness, Universal Cosmic Energy illuminates omnipresently over the deep space of impermanent existence, where sufferings exist endlessly in the profoundly moving beauty of the Universe. Meditation is the greatest path to the cessation of sufferings under the movement of intelligence, peace, and love."
Italy
