BIO
Born and raised in Chicago, Jazz sax great André Ward cites the Windy City’s long storied jazz and R&B scene as an inspiration for his music and career. “My favorite band will always be Earth Wind & Fire, founded by Maurice White – who came out of Chicago with his brother, Verdine” says Ward. “When they had the Phenix Horns and the departed Don Myrick on saxophone, that really motivated me to play the sax. I actually started out as a drummer then the trumpet until finally the alto sax – all thanks to an after school program that encouraged kids to learn to play musical instruments.”
André went on to Tennessee State University in Nashville, where he formed the quartet Act IV - which won a national contest sponsored by Budweiser to record a single “The Pulse”. From there he attended the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston – a city where he remains to this day. “My goal was to earn my degree from Berklee, then move on to NYC for gigs and session work, “André explains. “However, what wound up happening is I was getting a lot of live music work, just in the Boston area alone! Plus, in 1990, fellow Berklee alum Lalah Hathaway invited me to be part of her touring band when she released her debut album on Virgin Records. This led to backing hit makers such as Will Downing, then Freddie Jackson for nine years – four of which as his touring band’s musical director.”
The time with Freddie Jackson resulted in André drawing attention from Hush Productions, with whom Jackson had his deal with Capitol Records. Ward - “Hush started a partnership with Morgan Creek Records, where I recorded my first solo single, ‘Everything I Do (I Do For You) – a remake of Bryan Adams’ #1 pop hit. My version was a smash on the smooth jazz charts but then Morgan Creek was shut down soon after. So for the next few years I became a music educator in the Boston public school system. Fast-forward, I was offered a deal from the Huggins brothers (Charles and Beau).”
Ward’s releases “Feelin’ You”, “Steppin’ Up” and “Crystal City” were all Top 10 Contemporary Jazz Albums with “Caution” going to #1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz charts. “AFRICA RISING” will soon be joining the ranks. André pays tribute to the sound of Earth Wind & Fire with the tune “Secret Place” (with Chantel Hampton on vocals) and tips his hat to fellow Chicagoans the Emotions with his take on their classic “Don’t Ask My Neighbors”. With the single, “Casualty Of Love” with singer/songwriter K’Jon – “That track is about the benefits of love and how it makes life better...puts a positive spin on being a prisoner of love. The latest single from the “AFRICA RISING” release is a remake of Sade’s “Kiss of Life” As to why taking on that 90’s classic – “Who doesn’t love Sade! Her catalog is full of wonderful gems and I wanted to give the song my own spin.”
André is looking forward to creating more great music and touring in the near future.
For interview inquiries, contact Virgil Thompson (virgilmgt57@yahoo.com)
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