Biography

Ned Ferm (born 1982) is an internationally acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, improviser, composer, producer, educator, and organizer. He is best known for his work on saxophone in jazz, roots, rock, pop, and improvised music. In 2001 he moved to Copenhagen as the first American admitted into the prestigious Rhythmic Music Conservatory (RMC), an institution from which he has been awarded three different degrees [B.A., M.A. (2006); Soloist/A.P.D. (2015)]. His significant contribution to both the American and European saxophone traditions has received global recognition from audiences, reviewers, and fellow musicians.

Ferm’s career has included live and studio collaborations with a wide range of artists spanning generations, genres, and mediums including Yusef Lateef, Billy Taylor, Hal Russell, Don Doane, Roswell Rudd, Bent Jædig, Harold Mabern, Airto Moriera, Hugo Rasmussen, Bill Goodwin, Günter “Baby” Sommer, Butch Lacy, Jesper Zeuthen, Bob Gullotti, Vincent Chancey, George Garzone, Luther Thomas, James Williams, James Weidman, Eugene Chadbourne, Steve Swell, John Riley, Mars Williams, Ed Schuller, Tony Moreno, Gary Smulyan, Randy Peterson, Doug Rainey, Tom Raney, P.O. Jørgens, Jens Winther, Carl Allen, Guffi Pallesen, Fred Lonberg-Holm, Jens Melgaard, Gerald Cleaver, Jeff Ballard, Mat Maneri, Don Braden, Michael Blake, Jorge Rossy, Andrew D’Angelo, Greg Tardy, Kenny Wollesen, Skúli Sverrisson, Chris Speed, Ben Street, Tim Lefebvre, Mads Hyhne, Josh Haden, Cuong Vu, Miles Griffith, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Avishai Cohen, Kasper Tranberg, Petra Haden, Yosvany Terry, Anders Christensen, Aaron Goldberg, Jacob Anderskov, Johnathan Blake, Chris Sholar, Kresten Osgood, Jakob Høyer, Nicolai Munch-Hansen, Aaron Dugan, Albert Sanz, Jaimeo Brown, Jeremy Bean Clemons, Jakob Bro, Pete Robbins, Josh Dion, Jonas Kullhammar, Maria Faust, Tyshawn Sorey, Mark Guiliana, Loren Stillman, Kirk Knuffke, Sam Barsh, Josh David Barrett, Thomas Morgan, Joachim Badenhorst, Eric Bloom, Nir Felder, Gilad Hekselmen, Ryan Blotnick, Emanuele Maniscalco, Aaron Parks, RJ Miller, Kim Cass, MØ, Kimbra, Dream McLean, Scrufizzer, Pell, The Sandmen, Iceage, producers John Parish and Mark Howard, iconic actors Robert DeNiro and Oscar Isaac, and tennis legend Roger Federer. Ferm is also featured on an episode of the popular Danish TV series Nak og Æd and can be heard in the Oscar-nominated short film The Letter Room.

As an Artist

• Leads and co-leads several groups, including the Ned Ferm New Quartet, the Ned Ferm Trio, The Giving 3, Homies, Tivoli Of The Mind (TOTM), Ned Ferm’s Spent All The Money Band, Ferm/Osgood, and more
• Featured on more than 100 recordings released internationally (please see “discography” page)
• First recording as a bandleader, “Spent All The Money,” released in 2014 on Stunt Records to critical acclaim

As an Educator

• 2018-current: ensemble director at the Jutland Conservatory of Music in Aarhus
• 2015-current: saxophone instructor at the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen
• Early 2016: Guest saxophone and ensemble instructor and lecturer in Tallinn and Viljandi, Estonia
• February 2015: Guest ensemble director at the Jyske Musikkonservatorium Symposium
• Guest ensemble director and teacher at various European Conservatories (University and High School levels) and Jazz Camps (all levels) since 2001
• Private instrumental, theory, composition, and improvisation instructor since 1996
• 2013-2017: Saxophone and Clarinet instructor at Hillerød Night Music School for Adults (Denmark)
• Spring 2013: Interim High School Instrumental Music Director (Concert Band, String Orchestra, Jazz Big Bands & Small Ensembles, Wind Ensembles, Jazz Improvisation/Theory Classes)
• 2006-2013: Jazz Big Band & Small Ensemble Director at Mount Desert Island High School
• Fall 2009: Interim Music Teacher at Mount Desert Elementary School
• 2006-2008: General Music Teacher at Islesford Elementary School
• 1996-1998: Saxophone Instructor at the Summer Festival of the Arts (SFOA)

As a Student

• 2013-2015: Attended & graduated Rhythmic Music Conservatory (Copenhagen, Denmark) with an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma / Soloist Line of Study (A.P.D., ~Performance Ph.D.), Saxophone
• 2001-2006: M.A. and B.A. in Saxophone Performance at Rhythmic Music Conservatory
• 1999-2001: Saxophone, Jazz Studies Major (B.A.) at William Paterson University