Primary Instrument: Trombone
Known internationally as a virtuoso jazz trombonist, Alan also shines as a bandleader. His current project on Fresh Sound New Talent (Alan Ferber Nonet, “Scenes From An Exit Row”) beautifully displays his unique ability to effectively lead an ensemble through an array of intricate compositions while consistently delivering imaginative solo improvisations. Comprised of some of New York City’s most compelling young players, “Ferber’s arrangements bring out the best of the members of his group, who are inspired by their musical surroundings and alternately play as one…” (Budd Kopman, AAJNY) The Alan Ferber Nonet is in constant pursuit of finding new directions in the jazz idiom. It’s newest explorations will be heard on an upcoming Fresh Sound release due out in the Winter of 2007, entitled “The Compass.”
Since moving to Brooklyn in 1999, Ferber (a Northern California native) has built a solid reputation both as an ensemble player and an improviser. It didn’t take him long to catch the attention of renowned eight-string guitarist, Charlie Hunter. In 2001, Hunter asked him to join his working Quintet with whom Ferber toured with for a year. Upon returning to NYC, Alan has rapidly become one of the city’s most highly demanded sideman. He played lead trombone in a premiere of the “Sweet Ruby Suite” with Kenny Wheeler’s Large Ensemble. He has performed extended engagements with the Lee Konitz Nonet, Don Byron’s Music For Six Musicians, the Benny Wallace Nonet, and the John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble in clubs ranging from The Village Vanguard, the Blue Note, Birdland, and Iridium.
In addition to jazz, Alan has performed extensively in other genres with artists as diverse as Harry Connick Jr, Nancy Sinatra, Diana Krall, They Might Be Giants, Michael Buble, Paul Anka, the Extension Ensemble, and Broadway shows including The Producers, Fosse, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Chorus Line. He has appeared on TV shows including Late Night with David Letterman, the Tonight Show, The View, Beverly Hills 90210, and Good Morning America.
As a teacher, Alan has been professor in residence at the Gremio das Musicas Jazz Workshop in Portugal, the Bar Harbor Brass Week, the Maine Jazz Camp, and the Guimarais Jazz Festival. His desire to integrate all of his varied musical experiences into one, unique voice keeps him inspired as he continues delving deeper into the NY music scene. As Don Heckman of the Los Angeles Times stated in a concert review of one of Alan's performances, “Ferber was sounding ready to groove into the new millennium.” How right he is.
