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Greg Ward
Greg Ward is a saxophonist and composer that was born in Peoria, IL. Currently based in Chicago, Ward has had the opportunity to perform and record with a varied group of artists like Prefuse 73, Lupe Fiasco, Tortoise, William Parker, Andrew D'Angelo, and Mike Reed.
In 2000, Ward began his studies at Northern Illinois University where he worked with Steve Duke, Fareed Haque, Ron Carter, and Joey Sellers. Already interested in composition, having the opportunity to compose for NIU's jazz combos deepened his understanding of the inner-workings of music. Also, working with composer and arranger, Joey Sellers, equipped Ward with some important tools to further explore this new love.
Around his sophomore year in college, Ward started spending many nights performing in the jazz clubs of Chicago. Soon, he would meet another one of his mentors, saxophonist, Fred Anderson, who would later select him to host a jam session at the Velvet Lounge for four years. During this time period, Ward experienced much growth as a performer and composer and developed a vibrant community of performers, artists, dancers, and listeners.
After graduating from NIU in 2004 with a degree in Jazz Studies/Saxophone Performance, Ward moved to Chicago and took advantage of every opportunity that was offered to him. Composing two pieces for the International Contemporary Ensemble, performing a quartet composition for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Chamber Music Series, composing Wings for the Peoria Ballet Company, and being commissioned by the Jazz Institute of Chicago for a new composition, which was performed at the Chicago Jazz Festival in 2009, are just a few of the many experiences that shaped Ward during his years in Chicago.
In 2009, Ward decided to move to New York City. Almost immediately after he arrived in NYC, he began working with JazzReach, an NYC-based jazz education organization that shares multi-media programs throughout the US. In 2010, he would produce his first CD as a leader with his Chicago-based band, Fitted Shards. South Side Story received much critical acclaim, including "Recording of the Year" by the Chicago Tribune. Next, in 2011, Ward formed Phonic Juggernaut, which features Damion Reid on drums and Joe Sanders on bass. Together, they recorded and released a CD on Thirsty Ear Recordings that same year. Also, in 2011, Ward composed and performed a commission from the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra for a concerto for jazz quartet and string orchestra. In 2012, Ward was selected as one of the two New Music USA Van Lier Fellows. In 2014, he received a commission/residency from the Jazz Gallery and premiered Capturing Sunlight, which was an hour-long work for septet and included a short documentary by Diana Quinones Rivera. The Capturing Sunlight project was inspired by the life and work of Preston Jackson.
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If this recording were named “Dave Stryker Plays Bernard Hermann" (or Miklós Rózsa or Elmer Bernstein), well that would be just fine. They were all gifted composers who wrote film scores. The consensus would likely be that a musician like Stryker was hardly wasting his time, but Stryker With Strings Goes to the Movies hits the hopelessly middlebrow button. So how seriously anyone decides to take the results is anyone's guess. That would be a pity, ...
Continue ReadingDave Stryker: Stryker with Strings Goes to the Movies
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Guitarist Dave Stryker, who is at home in any venue, Goes to the Movies on this ambitious album, wherein his working quartet is greeted by a thirty-piece orchestra with strings and four talented guest artists. There are some gems here--Henry Mancini's “Dreamsville," Rodgers and Hammerstein's “Edelweiss," Ennio Morricone's theme from Cinema Paradiso among them--and a few pleasant surprises as well. Songs in the latter group include “You Only Live Twice," from the James Bond film of that ...
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Continue ReadingEthan Philion: Gnosis
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Continue ReadingGreg Ward - Greg Ward's Phonic Juggernaut (2011)
Source:
Something Else!
About a year ago saxophonist Greg Ward was leading a quartet that was preparing to do a recording session for a jazz radio station when the pianist was unable to make it. The remaining three decided to go on preparing for and performing the session as a trio. The experience was stimulating to the remaining three, who found communion and freedom from performing without that chordal safety net. And Greg Ward's Phonic Juggernaut was born. Greg Ward works in NYC ...
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Saxophonist/Composer Greg Ward's Fitted Shards Release of "South Side Story" on 19/8 Records
Source:
Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
19/8 Records Releases SOUTH SIDE STORY, The Debut Recording from Saxophonist/Composer GREG WARD Greg Ward's Fitted Shards South Side Story Features: Greg Ward—Alto saxophone, compositions Rob Clearfield—Keyboards, piano, synth Jeff Greene—Upright/Electric bass Quin Kirchner—Drums/percussion Greg Ward's Fitted Shards CD Release Concerts for South Side Story: October 9, 2010: The Green Mill 4802 N. Broadway Ave., Chicago, IL, tel 773 878 5552 November 7, 2010: The Cornelia Street Cafe 29 Cornelia Street, NYC, ...
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Greg Ward's Fitted Shards - South Side Story (2010)
Source:
Something Else!
By Pico Unless they have already been a key player in an established band, debut album of jazz solo artists tend to be uninspired affairs. Not yet finding their own identity, these neophytes often fall back on mimicking their major influences, making very competent but unexceptional records. Even most of the best musicians start off slow; they will often show the potential but not realize it until later on. That's not alto saxophonist Greg Ward, however. On Tuesday, this Chicago ...
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On November 7 @ The Cornelia Street Cafe Catch the NYC Premiere of Saxophonist/Composer Greg Ward's Fitted Shards - South Side Story
Source:
Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
"Greg Ward has brought together his superb ability to reflect not only his personality but the current times in his debut album, Fitted Shards. Opening a solo career with this strong of a statement in the jazz world can only lead to inevitable success throughout his lifetime."—C. Janus, Author of The New Face of Jazz (Random House, July 2010) “I'm thinking of Greg Ward, whose long and searching alto saxophone solo in 'Third Option' is one of the best things ...
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19/8 Records to Release South Side Story, the Debut Recording from Saxophonist/Composer Greg Ward's Fitted Shards
Source:
Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
"Greg Ward has brought together his superb ability to reflect not only his personality but the current times in his debut album, Fitted Shards. Opening a solo career with this strong of a statement in the jazz world can only lead to inevitable success throughout his lifetime." - C. Janus, Author of The New Face of Jazz (Random House, July 2010)
“I'm thinking of Greg Ward, whose long and searching alto saxophone solo in 'Third Option' is one of the ...
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Photos
Music
Denouement
From: Many MoonsBy Greg Ward
Dippermouth Blues
From: The Gennett SuiteBy Greg Ward
Three Ruminations
From: Seven BridgesBy Greg Ward
Fall Dog Bombs the Moon
From: Seven BridgesBy Greg Ward
