International touring and recording artist Johnny Ferreira combines style and boundless energy in his performances throughout Europe, United States, and Canada.
His infatuation with the saxophone began late in high school when he was 17. “It was the sound that attracted me,” he recalls. “It’s the instrument that closest resembles the human voice.” By 19, he was wailing on the sax. “I was impatient to get a good sound and two years seems like a long time when you’re a kid,” he reflects.
Johnny’s professional career started in 1980 being active in his local Vancouver music scene playing the clubs, casual gigs, and joining The Pointed Sticks who were recording and touring nationally at the time. They came from Vancouver’s Punk scene so Johnny was asked by many of the bands to record with them, most notably DOA.
His music education continued at the University of British Columbia where he pursued a music degree but withdrew a year early as he hooked up with still unknown blues rocker Colin James. “I felt more comfortable on stage than in a classroom”. Ferreira was recruited as an original member of James’ band, featured soloist on stage and in the studio and co-arranging the swingin’ “Little Big Band album”.
A whirlwind 11 years passed quickly, touring with some of history’s most profound rock names, including The Rolling Stones, Robert Plant, ZZ Top, Keith Richards, and Stevie Ray Vaughn. He left Colin’s band in 1998 to pursue his solo career, discovering new fans and excitement fronting his own band, which was in demand constantly. Performing, recording, and teaching continues and his 4th CD “Rock & Roll Saxophonist” being the most “sax-heavy” recording yet.
Many of Ferreira’s songs have weaved themselves into Movies and television. His unmistakable sax sound is featured on many other CDs besides his own, many of which have reached gold and platinum status. He stays rooted to his sax, flirting with many sounds from swing to rock to pop. He continues to write, perform, and educate.