Best known for his stint with the pioneering fusion combo Catalyst, jazz drummer Sherman Ferguson was born October 31, 1944, in Philadelphia. Acclaimed for a flexible, graceful approach influenced most profoundly by Max Roach and Roy Haynes, Ferguson launched his professional career in the mid-'60s, first earning notice for his work with jazz-funk legend Charles Earland. At decade's end, he joined guitarist Al Martino for a series of acclaimed LPs including Desperado and Consciousness. Ferguson also moonlighted as a tutor for underprivileged children via Philadelphia's Model Cities cultural program. With fellow tutors Eddie Green on piano, Odean Pope on saxophone, and Tyrone Brown on bass, he formed Catalyst in 1970. After producer Skip Drinkwater caught the group performing at the Philadelphia club Aqua Lounge, he negotiated a deal with Buddah Records, helming their self-titled 1972 debut LP for the label's Cornerstone subsidiary. Upon moving to the Muse label, Catalyst issued its sophomore effort, Perception, followed in 1973 by Unity. Despite critical acclaim, Muse spent little money promoting the group, and performances outside of the Philadelphia area were rare. With lucrative session opportunities piling up, Catalyst split in the wake of 1975's A Tear and a Smile, with Ferguson relocating to Los Angeles soon after. A much sought-after player, he appeared on close to 100 sessions in all, including dates in support of Dizzy Gillespie, Horace Silver, and Benny Carter. Ferguson also co-founded a trio with bassist John Heard and pianist Tom Ranier, and taught jazz theory at Jackson State University, UCLA, and the University of California, Irvine. In 2002 Ferguson formed his own label, Jazz-a-nance, to release the solo date Welcome to My Vision. He died of complications from diabetes on January 22, 2006. ~ Jason Ankeny