Image by Randy Larcombe
MARK SIMEON FERGUSON
'Whimsically inventive' The Advertiser
Composer/pianist Mark Simeon Ferguson was born in Whyalla, South Australia on Barngala land, raised in Clare on Ngadjuri land and lives in Adelaide on Kaurna land. His foundations are in jazz but he composes and arranges regularly for the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, the Australian String Quartet, the SA Primary Schools Festival of Music and the JazzSA Superbands.
In 2025 his piece '3:23' featured as the UNESCO International Jazz Day relay composition and was recorded by ensembles from 21 different music cities across the globe. The Australian component was recorded by 'Adelaide Edition' which includes students and recent graduates from the Elder Conservatorium and in 2025 featured Aria Award-winning guitarist James Muller.
In 2024 the Australian String Quartet premiered his work 'String Quartet No. 1: The Precarious Existence of the Plucky Hooded Plovers (The Hoodies)' which they commissioned with the generous support from Peter and Margaret Janssens in celebration of their 60th wedding anniversary.
In August 2022 he released his first ABC Jazz Commission 'Where Emus Roam the Streets' which was inspired by the land, the people and stories from the Ikara- Flinders Ranges, on Adnyamathanha country. It features a new quartet with bassist Bonnie Aué, drummer Kyrie Anderson and pianist Ciara Ferguson (heard here on vibraphone) , with guest vocals from Terrence Coulthard and guest trombone from Jasmine Ferguson.
LATEST RELEASE
WHERE EMUS ROAM THE STREETS
Mark Simeon Ferguson - piano | Bonnie Aué - double bass | Kyrie Anderson - drums
Ciara Ferguson - vibraphone | Jasmine Ferguson - trombone | Terrence Coulthard - voice
Mark Simeon Ferguson’s Where Emus Roam the Streets was the first jazz release from the 2022 ABC Composer Commissions Fund, created to support new Australian music from emerging and diverse voices. Where Emus Roam the Streets is a lyrical contemporary jazz album inspired by the dramatic vistas, ‘ghost towns’ and extraordinary people of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges on Adnymathanha country. Mark’s connection to the area is through his Aunt Jan and Uncle Chris Ferguson who are deeply connected to the community having lived in Beltana for decades. Through them he met senior Adnymathanha man
Terrence Coulthard — whose ‘Welcome Song’ features on the album.
In preparation for this project, Mark spent days driving, running, walking and sitting in the Northern part of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges between Parachilna and Iga Warta. Where Emus Roam the Streets was inspired by these experiences, alongside extensive research and conversations with members of the community. The album’s nine new pieces explore the beauty and hardship of Adnymathanha country and reflect on the lives of its people, the collision of cultures, and Mark’s own experiences.
The ensemble features young women all starting to hit their stride on the Australian jazz scene: drummer Kyrie Anderson, bassist Bonnie Aué, pianist Ciara Ferguson (heard here on vibraphone) and trombonist Jasmine Ferguson.
All tracks composed by Mark Simeon Ferguson except
for Welcome Song, composed by Terrence Coulthard, arr. Ferguson.
Recorded 7–9 February 2022 at ABC’s Collinswood Studios
Producer :: Tom Henry and Mark Simeon Ferguson
Recorded :: Jakub Gaudasinski and Gabriel Agostino
Mixed :: Tom Henry
Field Recordings :: Mike Ladd
Terrence Coulthard’s voice :: recorded in Iga Warta, South Australia by Mark Simeon Ferguson, 11 July 2022
Cover design :: Bonnie Aué from photos by Mark Simeon Ferguson
All other photos :: Randy Larcombe
Images by Randy Larcombe
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