Birth

:

in Topanga, CA

 

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson is a renowned composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist in the world of classical music. He was born on April 17, 1981, in Santa Monica, California, to a family of musicians. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a classical violinist. Atwood-Ferguson grew up surrounded by music and started playing the violin at the age of four. Atwood-Ferguson's musical journey began when he joined the Los Angeles Children's Orchestra at the age of six. He continued to study classical music throughout his childhood and teenage years, attending the Hamilton High School Music Academy in Los Angeles. During this time, he also started exploring other genres of music, including jazz, hip-hop, and R&B. After high school, Atwood-Ferguson attended the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music, where he studied jazz and classical music. He also started performing with various jazz and hip-hop artists, including rapper Busdriver and jazz pianist Billy Childs. In 2008, Atwood-Ferguson gained widespread recognition for his orchestral tribute to the late hip-hop producer J Dilla. The tribute, titled "Suite for Ma Dukes," featured a 60-piece orchestra and was performed at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex in Los Angeles. The performance was a critical and commercial success and led to Atwood-Ferguson's collaboration with other hip-hop artists, including Flying Lotus and Aloe Blacc. Atwood-Ferguson's career continued to flourish in the following years, with notable performances including a tribute to the late jazz pianist and composer Alice Coltrane at the Hollywood Bowl in 2017. He has also collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, and Quincy Jones. In addition to his work as a performer, Atwood-Ferguson is also a prolific composer and arranger. He has composed music for film and television, including the soundtrack for the Netflix series "The Get Down." He has also arranged music for various artists, including John Legend, Christina Aguilera, and Dr. Dre. Atwood-Ferguson's contributions to the world of classical music have not gone unnoticed. He has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including a Grammy nomination for his work on the album "You're Dead!" by Flying Lotus. He was also named a United States Artists Fellow in 2018, an honor given to outstanding artists across various disciplines. Despite his success, Atwood-Ferguson remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to push the boundaries of classical music, blending it with other genres to create a unique and innovative sound. His passion for music and his commitment to excellence have made him one of the most respected and influential artists in the industry today.

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