Shaun Ferguson

Internationally acclaimed guitarist and string alchemist Shaun Ferguson is an accomplished composer and performer. A self-taught musician from Caraquet, his instrumental music is modern, free, transcendent and unique. His musical language, representing a poetry rich in subtlety, is surprisingly intense and inevitably takes listeners on a journey.

Performing in Canada and across Europe, Africa and the Americas, Shaun Ferguson captivates audiences with his charismatic personality and gentle yet powerful musical flights. His almost hypnotic performances appeal to instrumental music fans and many other audiences alike.

Winner of several awards, nominations and accolades, Shaun Ferguson has been recognized for his soul-folk guitar style. He has three original albums to his credit, most recently La Lumière De L'Ombre - L'Ombre De La Lumière, released in 2023. The album was very well received by the media.

What drew you to music?

It's hard to understand, I don't come from a musical family, but my mum could have been a great singer. She always had a great sensitivity and appreciation for music. It's something I've always had too. At a very young age, I could already discern the works that stood out, because they gave me a thrill. Those thrills have always been a guide in my life, ‘chills never lie‘. It was in my early teens that my need to learn to play music became clear, like a calling. As soon as I started playing, it became almost like a vocation.

How have your training and experiences helped you to create and innovate in your artistic practice?

I studied applied computer science at university and graphic design at college. Musically, I'm self-taught. In addition to my experiences in music and in these fields of study, a deep love of gastronomy became quite apparent. I'm still a chef, barista and bartender in my spare time. Strangely enough, I have a good business flair that has successfully influenced a number of shopkeepers in my community. But this part of me will be expressed much more in the coming years. Coming back to music, I learned a lot on the job. People trusted me more than I trusted myself at the time. Without having the necessary experience or training, I found the strength to deliver the goods. It really wasn't easy, but it was a way for me to propel my musical evolution. It was also in this way, by accepting these challenges despite the fear, that my confidence developed. It's essential to have a balanced self-image in this world if you want to fulfill yourself. Having said that, I've realized that we must stop separating everything into little boxes. Everything we learn, in all spheres, belongs to a bigger sphere. My musical lessons are also my life lessons and vice versa. I've freed my passion from its musical box, and I take it with me wherever I go.

What stimulates you most about your practice?

Non-finality—you can always grow as a musician, as a composer, as a person. You can always become better on your instrument, etc.

Developing the creative muscle, a personal connection with the universe.

Travelling the world.

Having a strong dose of the unknown in my daily life.

How has living and working in New Brunswick helped and/or inspired you on your path?

The fact that I grew up mainly in the beautiful little village of Bas-Caraquet and the beautiful little town of Caraquet, which is very cultural, has meant that the sea has become part of my way of being and my feeling of being at home. I feel at home anywhere on the Acadian Peninsula and I've had incredible support from this community. This has enabled me to get through some very formative and difficult stages in my early career. But, I must admit that it was through my international development that my own province and my own country became much more accessible, and their support more apparent.

What drives your creativity?

Breathing, taking the time to make a good meal, savouring it, enjoying it, being with and sharing it with great people, friends, family, watching the sea, the stars, simply living, really participating in my own life.

What is the creative process like?

I often start with improvisation, which is influenced by my state of mind and the choice of instrument at the time. The composition begins when I start looping certain parts. Then I make derivatives directly from the main riffs—fragmentations, detours, contrasts, etc. Other times it's not like that at all!

In short, I make motifs until they become e-motives... ;)

What have you learned about yourself and the New Brunswick arts community through your work?

Inevitably, the fact that my work has evolved to the point where I've travelled all over the world has made me realize a lot of things. I took our part of the country for granted. There's beauty and goodness everywhere, but here too. I really appreciate our way of life, our people, our artists, our closeness to nature, etc. I'm proud to see our artistic community shine more and more, nationally and internationally.

What do you think is the impact of artists' work in communities?

The impact, or real value, of art is largely misunderstood in our society. So much so that artists themselves often struggle to grasp its importance. Their work is an asset and a legacy that both defines our times and transcends them. We need to demystify the importance of art. Yes, large parts of it are invisible, but they are not incomprehensible or non-existent. What would our economy look like without creativity, innovation, and art?

Describe what you are most proud of in your career.

The self-fulfillment, the friendships made all over the world. I can't imagine my life without it.

Where can we follow your work?

Banner photo: Pat Gauvin