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Alan Ferber

Three-time GRAMMY-nominated trombonist-composer-arranger Alan Ferber has been called “one of the jazz world’s premier composers and arrangers for larger groups” by All About Jazz NY.  Jazz Times magazine describes Ferber’s compositions as “inspired and meticulous” and the L.A. Weekly deems him “one of the premier modern jazz arrangers of our time.”  For the last seven years, he has been recognized as one of the leading trombonists of his generation in Down Beat magazine’s International Critics’ Poll and Readers’ Poll.  Ferber was the recipient of a 2013 New Jazz Works grant from Chamber Music America, funded by the Doris Duke Foundation.  Since 2011, he has been an Adjunct Professor of jazz studies at New York University’s Steinhardt School

Ferber’s aesthetic prescribes a deep knowledge of the jazz tradition as a means toward meaningful innovation.  Appropriately, the Wall Street Journal describes his music as “somehow both old school and cutting edge.”  He has released eight albums as a bandleader, most recently, Jigsaw, for 17-piece big band (Sunnyside Records 2017).  Down Beat magazine listed it as one of the best CDs of 2017 and stated, “Ferber…demonstrates full mastery.  His big band belongs in the idiom’s current top tier.”  Jigsaw has also been nominated for a 2018 GRAMMY award for ‘Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.’  Prior to Jigsaw, Ferber released “Roots & Transitions”  in 2016, an eight-movement original piece for his working nonet, from which his composition Flow was nominated for a 2017 GRAMMY award for ‘Best Instrumental Composition.’   Ferber’s 2013 release for his big band on the Sunnyside label,  March Sublime,  features original compositions and arrangements and was nominated for a 2014 GRAMMY award in the ‘Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album’ category.  Prior to that, Ferber released “Chamber Songs-Music For Nonet & Strings” (Sunnyside) which received a coveted 4 star review in Down Beat and was named one the magazine’s “Best CDs of the Year.”

Ferber’s music draws from a broad stylistic base informed by the array of artists with whom he has closely worked.  In the jazz world, he has performed and/or recorded with Best New Artist GRAMMY-winner Esperanza Spalding’s Radio Music Society, the Dr. Lonnie Smith Octet, the Ted Nash Big Band, Todd Sickafoose’s Tiny Resistors, MacArthur Fellow Miguel Zenon’s Identities Big Band, the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra, the Charlie Hunter Quintet, Michael Formanek’s Ensemble Kolossus, the David Binney/Edward Simon Group, the Lee Konitz Nonet, John Ellis’s Double Wide, the Dafnis Prieto Big Band, the John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble, and Don Byron’s Mickey Katz Project

He has worked extensively in other genres as well with artists including Peter Gabriel (Live at the Ed Sullivan Theater)Paul SimonSufjan Stevens (Age of Adz & All Delighted People), The National (on Grammy-nominated Trouble Will Find Me), Dr. Dre, Harry Connick Jr, Michael Buble, and Beirut.  His discography lists over 150 CDs on which he has played trombone and/or composed and arranged music.    

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Album Review

Jennifer Wharton's Bonegasm: Grit & Grace

Read "Grit & Grace" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Asked to name the traits women most need to succeed in today's business world, Forbes magazine in a 2019 article underlined two of them as “grit and grace." One woman who took the advice to heart is bass trombonist Jennifer Wharton. She came late to jazz but has since made it her domain of choice, founding the trombone-centric septet Bonegasm and recording three albums under its name, the most recent of which, Grit & Grace, endorses Forbes' position by using ...

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Album Review

Jennifer Wharton's Bonegasm: Grit & Grace

Read "Grit & Grace" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


Blessed be the 'bone of invention and intention that is Jennifer Wharton. A mere six years ago, the noted bass trombonist had the idea to form a slide-centric septet and commission new music to bring her oft-neglected and ballasting instrument to the fore. Driven to act on that concept, Wharton thought things through, put a plan in motion and willed Bonegasm into existence. That aptly-titled band recorded its eponymous debut in 2018, released that revelation of a record in 2019, ...

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Radio & Podcasts

New Music From Alan Ferber And More Plus A Look Back At Carter And Ughi

Read "New Music From Alan Ferber And More Plus A Look Back At Carter And Ughi" reviewed by Bob Osborne


On this show we feature an eclectic mix of forthcoming and recent releases including Alan Ferber, Bellbird, Kavita Shah, Marcos Fernandez & Arturo O'Farrill, Eduardo Elia, Naya Baaz, Asher Gamedze, Matt Ulery, Liv Andrea Hauge, Knut Kvitfe Nesheim, and Manuel Gamez. There is also a look back at two great albums from Daniel Carter and Federico Ughi. Playlist Show Intro 00:00 Alan Ferber Nonet “Ambling" from Up High, Down Low (Sunnyside) 00:41 Bellbird “Bluff" from Root In Tandem ...

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Album Review

Eunmi Lee: Introspection

Read "Introspection" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Eunmi Lee is a quick learner. The South Korean-born pianist, who now makes her home in New York City, did not become acquainted with or interested in jazz until a friend introduced her to the GRP Records catalogue. That was more than a year after she had received a degree in contemporary piano from the Seoul Institute for the Arts, in 2005. Eager to learn more, Lee came to California in 2007 to take part in an open house at ...

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Interview

Alan Ferber: Enneadic Endeavors

Read "Alan Ferber: Enneadic Endeavors" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


When Alan Ferber was first finding his way as a Californian-turned-New Yorker near the dawn of the new millennium, he didn't know many people on his adopted scene. So logically, he used composing--for nonet, among other configurations--as a means for networking and fostering connections. “I don't like cold calling people; I just like to put projects together to meet people," shares the three-time Grammy-nominated trombonist, bandleader, composer, arranger and educator. Nearly two decades later, Ferber found himself ...

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Album Review

Eunmi Lee: Introspection

Read "Introspection" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


Korean-born, New York-based pianist and composer Eunmi Lee opens her debut record, Introspection with her original composition, “Gimmick." And, if there is a gimmick, it sounds as if it might be her strong compositional voice and her way with an arrangement. The tune features Alan Ferber on trombone, saxophonist John Ellis, a guitar, bass and drums rhythm section, and Lee in the piano chair. In spite of the album's title, this opener is a bright, sassy roller. Maybe the gimmick ...

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Liner Notes

Jennifer Wharton: Not a Novelty

Read "Jennifer Wharton: Not a Novelty" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


The eponymous debut from Jennifer Wharton's Bonegasm broke the mold. There are no two ways about it. And while some may look at a statement like that and cry hyperbole, history begs to differ. With rare exception, the bass trombone—a horn forever typecast as an anchor—has been marginalized. So the idea of an ensemble featuring that denizen of the depths—a band playing music specifically commissioned to hinge on it, highlight it, and showcase the playing of one of its foremost ...

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TV / Film

The Harborfields High School Jazz Band celebrates community in premiering Alan Ferber's arrangement of Abdullah Ibrahim's 'The Wedding'

The Harborfields High School Jazz Band celebrates community in premiering Alan Ferber's arrangement of Abdullah Ibrahim's 'The Wedding'

Source: All About Jazz

In a time when isolation and distancing seemed to define school settings, the Harborfields High School Jazz Band sought to cut against the grain and promote the joys inherent in the communal nature of music and creative expression. In early 2021, the band’s director—veteran educator and noted jazz journalist Dan Bilawsky—decided to follow through on a long-held ambition to commission an arrangement of Abdullah Ibrahim’s “The Wedding” from three-time GRAMMY-nominated composer/arranger/trombonist Alan Ferber. The beautiful results of Ferber’s writing were ...

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Education

2012 The 9th Taipei International Summer Jazz Academy Now Open For Apply!

2012 The 9th Taipei International Summer Jazz Academy Now Open For Apply!

Source: Taipei International Jazz Education & Promotion Association

The biggest jazz educational event in Taiwan is organized by experienced international jazz musicians making it the largest scale summer jazz program in Asia Styles, Skills, Play, Experience, Real, Direct... all you need to know about jazz is right here at Taipei International Summer Jazz Academy! Taipei International Summer Jazz Academy is the unique program in Asia from morning to midnight everyday, fruitful lessons and events with jazz greats coming from all over the world in one week! Group Lessons ...

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Interview

Trombonist Alan Ferber Interviewed at AAJ...And More!

Trombonist Alan Ferber Interviewed at AAJ...And More!

Source: All About Jazz

Trombonist and composer Alan Ferber is a precise and thoughtful individual whose careful, deliberate expression is equally evident in both his insightful way of speaking--and his beautifully composed and executed recordings. As a freelancer, Ferber has tackled a wide breadth of music, everything from big band and small ensemble jazz to Broadway musicals and the beats of Dr. Dre.

As evidenced by his latest nonet recording, Chamber Songs: Music for Nonet and Strings (Sunny Side, 2010), Ferber is never satisfied ...

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Contest

Enter the Posi-Tone Records "David Binney/Alan Ferber - In the Paint" Giveaway Contest

Enter the Posi-Tone Records "David Binney/Alan Ferber - In the Paint" Giveaway Contest

Source: All About Jazz

All About Jazz members are invited to enter the Posi-Tone Records “David Binney/Alan Ferber - In the Paint“ giveaway contest starting today. We'll select FIVE winners at the conclusion of the contest on September 20th. Click here to enter the contest

(Following David Binney at AAJ automatically enters you in the contest.)

Good luck! Your Friends at Posi-Tone Records

About In the Paint Alto Sax sensation David Binney joins forces with Trombonist Alan Ferber on In ...

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Event

Alan Ferber Nonet w/ 10-PC String Orchestra

Alan Ferber Nonet w/ 10-PC String Orchestra

Source: All About Jazz

Trombonist/composer Alan Ferber will present new compositions and arrangements for his Nonet which will include a 10-piece string orchestra for this performance at the Brooklyn Lyceum. Ferber has a recent CD out on the Fresh Sound New Talent label entitled Alan Ferber Nonet: “The Compass." It has received wide critical acclaim from such publications as the Los Angeles Times, Time Out NY, Jazz Times, Jazziz, and the New York Times. As a trombonist, Ferber has performed and/or recorded with Don ...

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Performance / Tour

The Alan Ferber Nonet Live in New York - May 5th

The Alan Ferber Nonet Live in New York - May 5th

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

The Alan Ferber Nonet Live In New York May 5th! In Support and Celebration of Their New Recording The Compass (Fresh Sound New Talent) Alan Ferber (trombone/compositions), John Daversa (trumpet) Ben Wendel (tenor sax), Bob Sheppard (alto sax), Phil O'Connor (bass clarinet), Jamie Rosenn (guitar), Joe Bagg (piano), Harish Raghevan (bass), Tom Warrington (bass, 4/5 only), Mark Ferber (drums) Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at 8:30 & 10:30 PM - Smalls 183 West 10th Street, $20, www.fatcatjazz.com Alan Ferber ...

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Performance / Tour

The Alan Ferber Nonet Live in New York April 25

The Alan Ferber Nonet Live in New York April 25

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

In Support and Celebration of Their New Recording The Compass (Fresh Sound New Talent) Wednesday, April 25, 2007 8:30 & 10:30 PM Smalls 183 West 10th Street $20

Alan Ferber-trombone, David Smith-trumpet, Loren Stillman-alto sax, Donny McCaslin-tenor sax, Jason Rigby - bass clarinet, Bruce Saunders - guitar, Bryn Roberts - piano, Alexis Cuadrado - bass, John Riley - drums This April 25, trombonist & composer Alan Ferber and his Nonet ...

“Alan Ferber joins the new resurgence of talented young trombonists with vision and leadership.” --Mark F. Turner, All About Jazz

Tobias M. Hoffmann
composer / conductor

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Bianca

Outside in Music
2024

buy

Introspection

You&Me Music
2023

buy

Up High, Down Low

Sunnyside Records
2023

buy

Electric Miles 2

Summit/Mama
2023

buy

Grit & Grace

Sunnyside Records
2023

buy

In the Valley

Stricker Street Records
2022

buy

Be Normal

From: Grit & Grace
By Alan Ferber

Mr. Weird

From: Introspection
By Alan Ferber

Narcissism

From: Introspection
By Alan Ferber

Revived Mind

From: Daring Mind
By Alan Ferber

Compelled

From: Hiding Out
By Alan Ferber

Two Islands III

From: Atwood Suites
By Alan Ferber

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