Miguel Atwood-Ferguson is a freelance multi-instrumentalist/dj/arranger/composer/music director/producer/educator residing in Los Angeles, California. The depth and range of Atwood-Ferguson’s work is vast, having contributed to over 300 recordings, and countless live concerts. Miguel’s interests are many and he performs, tours and records with ensembles ranging from electronica, avant-garde, jazz, classical, hip-hop, and pop to name a few from countries all around the world.

Facts

1: I am fascinated by most everything.

2: I think everyone has genius and is genius, but it is up to them to what degree they want to manifest it. I don’t think there is a limit to how much we can manifest our genius.

3: I love my life.

Questions

What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
I am not quite sure what is the biggest inspiration for my music. It probably is simply a desire just to have the most fun I can and do something positive in the world at the same time.

How and when did you get into making music?
My brother Joaquin attended a Suzuki Institute when I was 4. I was there for part of it and witnessed a bunch of kids playing violin. I apparently told my mother then and there that I needed to play violin as well. Soon thereafter, I started lessons.

What are your 5 favourite albums of all time?
I don’t know what my favorite 5 albums of all time are. 5 albums however that I love are:
A Love Supreme (John Coltrane)
Magical Mystery Tour (The Beatles)
Are You Experienced? (The Jimi Hendrix Experience)
The Great Ballets (Igor Stravinsky)
The Best of Louis Armstrong (Louis Armstrong)

What do you associate with Berlin?
I asscociate creativity and exploration with Berlin.

What’s your favourite place in your town?
My favorite place in Los Angeles are the mountains in Topanga/Malibu.

If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
I would do something that was beneficial to other people but very fun for me as well. Like being a doctor of some kind, or a cook, a painter, or an author perhaps.

What was the last record you bought?
Georgia Anne Muldrow’s new jazz album ‘Ocotea.’

Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Joe Henderson, Larry Young, or Maurice Ravel.

What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
My best gig was probably ‘A Suite for Ma Dukes.’

How important is technology to your creative process?
Technology helps me a lot to manifest my feelings. Whether it be my floor board with all my pedals that I plug into when I am playing live, or my music notation software that I use on my computer when I am writing, I have quite a lot of appreciation for technology. Also, technology allows me to listen to and make records myself. I am very grateful for technology.

Do you have siblings and how do they feel about your career?
I have one sister and one brother. They are both proud of me.

Our Favourites:

Drips/take notice