First WEDNESDAYS: Allyn Ferguson

The ASMAC First WEDNESDAY event series continued October 5th, 2016 at Local 47 in Hollywood by honoring the music and lifetime accomplishments of Allyn Ferguson.

Allyn’s son, Dan Ferguson, masterfully took the audience on a journey through the amazing life and music of Allyn. This included growing up in his father’s piano store, playing jazz gigs in high school, flying planes and training pilots in WW II, study with Aaron Copeland and an incredible career as a composer, arranger and conductor.

Three hours barely scratched the surface of Allyn’s life accomplishments that easily could have been spread out through a dozen lifetimes. The audience was treated to an opening act of listening to Allyn’s original jazz music and arrangements for artists including Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, Johnny Mathis, and Count Basie. A video clip was played of Allyn featured conducting the 1979 Academy Awards orchestra.

The second half of the evening was dedicated to Allyn’s film and concert compositions. First there was a 5 movement work entitled “Suite for Solo Violin and String Orchestra” presented with a synchronized hand written score. The music continued with several film music selections including selections from Man in the Iron Mask and The Count of Monte Christo. A great arrangement of Old Folks at Home was played featuring Tommy Morgan on harmonicas.

The Ferguson family setup a fantastic display of scores, posters, awards correspondence letters and other memorabilia as well as a fabulous food offering for the guests.

The audience included many of Allen’s life long friends with family members including Allyn’s wife Joline, daughter Jill, sons Dan and Todd (and wife Yvonne), and two grandsons Charlie and Brandon. Other attendees included Bill Ross & Carol Pool; Steve Porcaro (both Steve & Bill were Allyn’s students for some time); Angela Rose White & husband Steve White (daughter of Betty & David Rose – David & Allyn were very good friends); Mike Lang, Michael Eames of PEN Music (our publishing administrator).