Alan Ferber Nonet

Overview

Description

The nonet format holds a special place in jazz. The format produces the wide array of voices and colors of a big band, while maintaining the tight, quicksilver unity of a small ensemble. Miles Davis and Gil Evans put the format on the map with their historic 1948-50 Birth of the Cool recordings. The Oakland, CA-born, former St. Louis City resident, and current New York-based trombonist/composer/bandleader Alan Ferber is one of today’s most in-demand session players, as evidenced by his work with Esperanza Spalding, Miguel Zenon, Sufjan Stevens, and Paul Simon. Ferber has advanced the nonet forward into the twenty-first century with his own nine-piece aggregation. As a trombonist, he recently topped DownBeat magazine’s 2022 ‘Rising Star’ Critics Poll and his most recent nonet album earned him a GRAMMY nomination for Best Instrumental Composition. Ferber has just recorded an album of new music for his Nonet which is slated for release in June of 2023 on the reputable Sunnyside Records label. For his Blue Strawberry debut, Ferber will feature his Nonet’s STL Edition, which boasts some of the city’s most celebrated and innovative artists, including Danny Campbell (trumpet), Bennett Wood (alto sax), Joel Vanderheyden (tenor sax), Andy Ament (baritone sax), Vince Varvel (guitar), Adam Maness (piano), Bob Deboo (bass), and Joe Winstein-Hibbs (drums). This group was integral in helping to workshop Alan’s newest arrangements, including original music by the bandleader, as well as unique covers of songs by Joni Mitchell, Norah Jones, and Chris Cheek.

Contacts and Location