Recipient Information
Location
Chicago, Illinois
Medium
Jazz Saxophone & Composition
Project Title
Rogue Parade
Year of Award
2020
Grant or Fellowship
Jazz Road Tours Grant
Grant Amount
$5,500
Performances
- Ripon College – Demmer Recital Hall – Rodman Center for the Arts. November 8, 2019. Ripon WI
- Crosstown Arts. November 9, 2019. Memphis TN
- Gaslight Studio. November 10, 2019. St. Louis MO
About the Artist
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.
