Straightup and Melbourne International Jazz Festival are proud to present for the first time in Australia, quite possibly one of the most important and influential musicians in the United States today.

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson. Multi-instrumentalist, arranger, composer, music director, producer, DJ, and educator.

Having worked with everyone from Wayne Shorter, Quincy Jones, Erykah Badu, Stevie Wonder, John Cale, Sue Jorge to Henry Mancini, Ray Charles, Eddie Murphy, Guru, Flying Lotus, Common, Bilal, Ravi Coltrane and many, many more.

Atwood-Ferguson has more recently started to become a kind of Wynton Marsalis or Gunther Schuller for the post-soul, semi-jazz, pacifist-hip-hop continuum: a leader of skilled ensembles, a celebrator of repertories, an organizer of legacies.

Humble, respectful, a little mystical, he and his interests would appeal to ferocious record snobs but also to middle-aged urbanites who like their music calming and uplifting and conscious, in the hip-hop sense of the word.

The depth and range of Atwood-Ferguson's work is vast, having contributed to over 300 recordings, and countless live concerts. He has a rare gift and serious devotion and dedication to developing it; he effortlessly bridges diverse genres and generations of musical and cultural elements into cohesive and magical presentations. And it's his ability to connect with music of all styles, forms and traditions that sets him apart. 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. Many long years of practice and study prepared him for what is now a life of constant composing, conducting, performing, improvising, and producing.

Currently working on various solo, duet, ensemble, and concept records where he is the lead artist as well as the arrangements for Seu Jorge's latest album, Miguel also makes time to write and perform arrangements for a wide array of artists and bands as well as leading his group The Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Ensemble and specialized orchestral configurations.

It is his goal "to build toward having an orchestra that plays music from across the globe with international musicians of Peace and Love."

The Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Ensemble has to date featured guest appearances by Sly Stone, Shuggie Otis, George Clinton, Seu Jorge, Leon Ware, Flying Lotus, Chris 'Daddy' Dave, Marie Daulne (Zap Mama), J Rocc, Coco (Quadron), Georgia Anne Muldrow, James Gadson, Mayer Hawthorne, Jos James, Meshell Ndegeocello, Aloe Blacc, Pharoahe Monch, and Ndugu Chancler, among others.

In this very special performance Miguel Atwood Ferguson has chosen guest vocalists Nai Palm (Hiatus Kaiyote) and Elana Stone to collaborate with the Ensemble and will feature works from his 2009 album "Suite For Ma Dukes" as well as from his forthcoming album to be released on Brainfeeder in November.

One of Miguel's most incredible gifts is the ability to record 'orchestras' of himself, and was coined "The One Man Orchestra" by will.i.am. He composes for violin, viola, cello, and sometimes basses, piano, keyboards and percussion, and plays all of the instruments.

Another of Miguel's great achievements was in 2009 when he composed and conducted the historic 'Suite for Ma Dukes' (in tribute to the transcendent modern hip-hop producer J Dilla) concert in Los Angeles leading over 60 musicians, whom he chose and contracted. As composer and conductor that legendary February night, Miguel featured special guests Bilal, Posdnous (De La Soul), Talib Kweli, Karriem Riggins, Stephen 'Thundercat' Bruner, and more. It is from this repoirtee that Miguel will draw from for his Australian tour.

Miguel will perform with selected artists from some of Australia's most talented pool of soul and jazz scenes, including musicians from Kirkus, Hiatus Kaiyote and Axolotl.

These are ONE OFF shows in Melbourne and Sydney ONLY.

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson will be joined on tour by the DEBUT PERFORMANCE from Myele Manzanza and his newly formed Trio. Soul & beats aficionados will recognise this young rhythmical talent from across the ditch as the drummer of acclaimed NZ act Electric Wire Hustle and perhaps in his own right as a producer having recently released his debut solo album, 'One'. What may come as a surprise however is that Manzanza is also one of New Zealand's top Jazz drummers. Jazz music tempered with a background in traditional African Rhythm, Electronic & Soul music The Myele Manzanza Trio appear for the first time in Australia.

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/pulling-strings-20130523-2k1tn.html

VIDEOS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gn6WMcYKzI

http://vimeo.com/14118783

Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Ensemble "Deliver the Word" feat Aloe Blacc from Miguel Atwood-Ferguson on Vimeo.

PLEASE NOTE:

TICKET SALES
Should online tickets be unavailable for sale in the purchasing section above, please contact the venue on (02) 9328 4411 for ticket availability.

Early Bird $35 / Regular $39

On the door $45

DINNER BOOKINGS
For all Dinner bookings, please contact the venue on (02) 9328 4411 prior to purchasing tickets in the section above.

TIMES
DOORS OPEN at 7.00PM
DINNER SERVICE COMMENCES at 7.30PM
MUSIC STARTS around 9.00PM

AGE RECOMMENDATIONS
This venue is 18+ recommended, so if you are under 18 and would like to come to the show, please call (02) 9328 4411 for further information.