About Jim Ferguson

A noted educator, Jim has taught at the college and university levels for many years. He has written several acclaimed jazz guitar books, including All Blues For Jazz Guitar; All Blues Soloing For Jazz Guitar; All Blues Scale For Jazz Guitar; All Solos & Grooves For Jazz Guitar; All Intros & Endings For Jazz Guitar; and Shapes, Patterns & Lines For Jazz Guitar. He penned the instructional column Fundamental Perspectives for Great Britian's Classical Guitar Magazine, and was the editor of several volumes published by Guitar Solo Publications of San Francisco, including F. Moreno-Torroba's Castles Of Spain and an instructional series devoted to the studies of Leo Brouwer, Fernando Sor, and Matteo Carcassi.

As a composer, Jim has written numerous pieces for solo guitar and various instrumental combinations. He contributed six pieces to Mel Bay's Contemporary Anthology of Solo Guitar Music for Five Fingers of the Right Hand (2009), edited by Charles Postlewate, and in 2010 Jim began publishing solo guitar works through Les Productions d'OZ, based in Quebec, Canada. Through Les Productions d'OZ, he has released 12 Simple Jazzy Studies, "Cirque du Soul," "Lady Di," "Requiem For A Fallen Artist" (in the anthology 25 Compositions), Film Noir—Four Scenes, and Four Monsters.

His music is featured on two solo CDs—Cedar & Silver (2004) and Moonstone (2009)—which reflect classical, jazz, world, and other influences. Jim's music has been included in PBS, A&E, and ABC programming, and he has appeared on National Public Radio's Weekend Edition and performed in the U.S. and abroad.

Jim was born in Dayton, Ohio, and began playing the guitar when he was 15. He has a Master of Fine Arts degree from Mills College in Oakland, California, and studied with George Barnes, Red Varner, Lenny Breau, Jose Rey de la Torre, and David Tanenbaum. Jim resides in Santa Cruz, California.

Jim, his books, and his music continue to receive accolades. For a sampling of review comments, honors, and awards, please see Reviews.

Want to take your playing to the next level? Jim can help. He teaches jazz, classical guitar, and composition, and is available for private lessons in Santa Cruz, California, or live via Skype to anywhere in the world. For more details, see Lessons. Jim is also available for seminars and performances—see Bookings: Workshops and Bookings: Solo Guitar for more information.

Jim's music has been used in a wide variety of media, including PBS, A&E, and ABC programming. All of Jim's original music (Moonstone, Cedar & Silver, and various solo tracks) is available for licensing for television, film, radio, and the Internet. For more information or to obtain a license, please Contact Us.