"If Chick Corea Elektric Band and Najee are filed under jazz, so should this CD. Its deep melodicism and sophisticated grooves mark it as an amalgamate between funk and jazz, and its accomplished players make this album rich and nuanced." —Kevin Rabas, Jam Magazine
Kansas City, Missouri—The Groovward label is proud to announce the release of Groove Axis by The James Ward Band (The JWB).
The James Ward Band (The JWB) was formed January of 1997 at The Blue Room located on 18th and Vine in Kansas City, Missouri. In the tradition of true Kansas City style, the JWB combines a diverse range of musical influences that include Latin, R&B, fusion, funk, jazz, and gospel. A sophomore release for James Ward (band founder), Groove Axis represents a marriage between the energy of their live performances, funk-fortified songwriting and diverse musicianship.
The majority of the songs in Groove Axis are JWB originals. From the reflective “More of You" to the bass-driven groove of “Bet That Up," the band-written songs in Groove Axis are a delicious soundscape. The cover of “Got To Get You Into My Life" steeps with a heaping helping of old school that is radio friendly and sure to please.
“Got to Get You Into My Life" is currently released as a single and has been well-received nationwide by radio. For servicing, please contact Gorov Music Marketing at (702) 492-4965 or [email protected].
Want to learn more about The JWB? Logon to www.thejwb.com
Sample the Groove Axis CD at cdbaby.com.
More About the Band
James Ward, a native of Kansas City, attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Fla., where he studied tuba, and played acoustic and electric bass in numerous bands while attending college. James' experience, skill, and reputation as a bassist led him to opportunities to perform with greats throughout the years such as Marcus Roberts, Wycliffe Gordon, Nat Adderly, Mark Whitfield, Bobby Watson, John Cushon, Patti Austin, Jonathan Dubose, Claude “Fiddler" Williams, Lisa Henry, Chris Barnett, Jackie Mills, Russell Malone, Marcus Printup, Peter Martin, Scotty Barnhart, and Will Matthews of the Count Basie Orchestra, Gospel Artists Dorinda Clark-Cole and Donald Lawrence, and a host of other artists. James also toured South Africa with Oleta Adams. James is currently the Band Director at the Institute of Jazz, at The American Jazz Museum.
On May 12, 2007, The JWB released their debut album entitled In Perspective, which took a #19 spot in the Smooth Jazz Indie Charts and remained in the Top 20 for a number of weeks. Members of the band include Ray Stewart on percussion and vocals; Ryan Lee on drums; Gerald Dunn on tenor and soprano saxophones; Matt Hopper on guitar; Angela Ward on keyboards who arranges and composes; and James Ward on bass guitar.
Kansas City, Missouri—The Groovward label is proud to announce the release of Groove Axis by The James Ward Band (The JWB).
The James Ward Band (The JWB) was formed January of 1997 at The Blue Room located on 18th and Vine in Kansas City, Missouri. In the tradition of true Kansas City style, the JWB combines a diverse range of musical influences that include Latin, R&B, fusion, funk, jazz, and gospel. A sophomore release for James Ward (band founder), Groove Axis represents a marriage between the energy of their live performances, funk-fortified songwriting and diverse musicianship.
The majority of the songs in Groove Axis are JWB originals. From the reflective “More of You" to the bass-driven groove of “Bet That Up," the band-written songs in Groove Axis are a delicious soundscape. The cover of “Got To Get You Into My Life" steeps with a heaping helping of old school that is radio friendly and sure to please.
“Got to Get You Into My Life" is currently released as a single and has been well-received nationwide by radio. For servicing, please contact Gorov Music Marketing at (702) 492-4965 or [email protected].
Want to learn more about The JWB? Logon to www.thejwb.com
Sample the Groove Axis CD at cdbaby.com.
More About the Band
James Ward, a native of Kansas City, attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Fla., where he studied tuba, and played acoustic and electric bass in numerous bands while attending college. James' experience, skill, and reputation as a bassist led him to opportunities to perform with greats throughout the years such as Marcus Roberts, Wycliffe Gordon, Nat Adderly, Mark Whitfield, Bobby Watson, John Cushon, Patti Austin, Jonathan Dubose, Claude “Fiddler" Williams, Lisa Henry, Chris Barnett, Jackie Mills, Russell Malone, Marcus Printup, Peter Martin, Scotty Barnhart, and Will Matthews of the Count Basie Orchestra, Gospel Artists Dorinda Clark-Cole and Donald Lawrence, and a host of other artists. James also toured South Africa with Oleta Adams. James is currently the Band Director at the Institute of Jazz, at The American Jazz Museum.
On May 12, 2007, The JWB released their debut album entitled In Perspective, which took a #19 spot in the Smooth Jazz Indie Charts and remained in the Top 20 for a number of weeks. Members of the band include Ray Stewart on percussion and vocals; Ryan Lee on drums; Gerald Dunn on tenor and soprano saxophones; Matt Hopper on guitar; Angela Ward on keyboards who arranges and composes; and James Ward on bass guitar.
For more information contact Cheryl Hughey Promotions.
