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Edward Paul Ferguson (aka Edward Paul ) is a gifted electric bassist / multi-instrumentalist who's songs and musicianship reflect passion, depth, and intensity. His musical background is quite diverse, with an extensive background in Music Theory, years playing jazz with Stage Bands throughout High School & College on electric bass, performing solo classical guitar recitals, and working in rock and roll & dance bands. All of these experiences helped to make him a extremely well rounded musician, with the ability to play most any style of music. Rock, Jazz, Funk, Latin, Fusion, Country & Western, Soul, R&B, you name it, he's played it. With 29 years of playing under his belt, he's developed an unique, original voice on bass, guitar or any other instrument he plays. A voice that demands to be heard... One that comes straight from the heart.
Eddy has worked on the West Coast ( primarily in Washington) as a performer and studio /session musician for close to three decades. He has worked with a number of successful local bands over the years such as Aqualvinyl, The Troublemakers, Badboys, Panama, and the Seattle Pot Luck Orchestra.. He also has considerable experience as a studio / session musician, composer/arranger, and recording engineer, and has worked on projects for MTV, Experience Music Project, and for various film / television / and radio recordings & performances.
HOW I GOT STARTED, ( in 10,000 words or less.................)
My Musical misadventures started long ago, and my first instrument was The French Horn. I played in band for three years, and that provided a foundation that I would build upon for many years. At 14, I decided that guitar was where it was at, so I bought a $25 Teisco Del Ray Electric at the local swap meet and I was off and running ! As I jammed with my friends, I discovered that I seem to hear the bass parts easier than anything else, so I eventually switched to bass. My first bass & amp was a Sears special ( compliments of my parents ), and although the instrument was quite awful, it was enough to fuel my curiousity. I played in rock bands and in the Stage / Jazz Band throughout High School and College. My love for all kinds of music began at an early age. I grew in a military family ( my father was a 30 yr. veteran in the Air Force ), with six siblings so we listened to all kinds of music. Jazz, Classical, Latin, Rock, Soul, you name it, all this wonderful music was played in the Ferguson household. One minute you were listening to Maria Muldaur & Herb Albert, the next it was Pink Floyd and Curtis Mayfield ! I consider myself very fortunate to have grown up in a loving, supportive environment where my parents and siblings encouraged my development as a musician. They put up with a whole lot of painfully high-decibel practice sessions with bands in the downstairs of our home, and never complained once. I have had the privilige of studying music theory & jazz for many years with several excellent instructors ( notably Randy McClusky, Marius Nordal and Ed Fish ), but my biggest influence is a brillant musican / educator named Denny Matney. He continually challenged me to grow as a musician, and I had the good fortune to work professionally with Denny for over twenty years, performing as well as writing and recording together for a multitude of diverse projects.
Over 29 years, I have played in most every kind of band you can imagine. Heavy-Metal, R&B, Blues, Soul & Motown, Jazz, Fusion, Country, Hip-Hop, you name it, I've played it in one form or another. Most all of the groups I've worked with over the years have have played a wide variety of music, so being versatile and playing all styles of music has helped me develop the skills to thrive musically in most any situation.
I work primarily as a electric bassist / vocalist, and play 4 & 5 string fretted & fretless bass and even some upright bass. I've fronted a number of bands as the lead vocalist, but also enjoy singing background harmonies just as well. I am dedicated to the pursuit of excellence at my craft as an electric bassist and musician in every way. Stylistically, some of my favorite bass players are Jaco, Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, James Jamerson, Paul McCartney, and Jack Bruce ( amongst many others ), so that's where I'm coming from as a bass player. Jaco is my all time favorite. My favorite guitar players are Larry Carlton, Jeff Beck, Denny Matney, Steve Morse, and Eddie Van Halen ( not in any paticular order ) and as a vocalist, my biggest influences are soul singers like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, & Al Jarreau. I also love Sinatra & Nat King Cole. Kind of a weird mix of influences, huh ? Variety is the spice of life, they say.......
I've composed music for many years, but I'm very proud to say that I have completed writing & recording an Entire Album of Original Music, that is currently in the final mixing/mastering stage, . The title of my CD is "CHANGES / by Edward Paul". Without outside influence from a label or a record company, I have had a chance to explore a rich palette of musical styles and grooves, and really stretch as a composer/arranger and especially as a musician. Whether my music reaches 200 people or 2 million, who knows ? I do know this.........that I have created a unique sound, an original fusion of diverse musical genres, and I hope that people like my music and that it connects with them on some level. I think that's what most artist hope for.... ....that, and the whole fame and fortune thing. You know..............
I send a Heartfelt "THANKS" to all of my family and friends, who have supported and encouraged my musical endeavors.
I am in your debt, and deeply appreciative of all that you do.
~ Edward Paul
