Violinist Michael Ward electrifies Jazz in the Park and the Gentilly Festival

2nd October 2017   ·   0 Comments

By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer

To see that electric violinist Michael Ward will be performing twice in one week in New Orleans is definitely eye-catching. Though the San Antonio native has long been a resident of the city, his local appearances remain rare. Most of his gigs take place at festivals and concerts around the country and the world. Known as a smooth jazz musician who prefers calling his style “contemporary instrumental urban music,” Ward leads an ensemble at Jazz in the Park on Thursday, October 5, and then heads to the Gentilly Festival for a show at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, October 7.

“Smooth jazz is not big in New Orleans – it’s a traditional jazz city,” says Ward, explaining that he includes classic and modern jazz when defining “traditional.” “Back in the ‘90s they called me the ‘King of Smooth Jazz of New Orleans’ but that’s because nobody else was doing it,” he adds with a laugh. “The bulk of my work is on the west coast. That’s where smooth jazz is hot. All over the country, they’ve got more festivals catering to smooth jazz than they do catering to traditional jazz.”

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Gentilly Festival is a free, three-day event that kicks off in the evening at 6 p.m. on Friday, October 6 and runs through Sunday, October 8, It is presented at the Pontchartrain Park Playground, 5701 Press Drive. Known for its family-friendly, neighborhood atmosphere, the festival donates its proceeds to such worthy organizations as the New Orleans Police and Fire Departments, the EMS and children’s music camps. The musical offerings that include gospel, rhythm and blues, jazz and brass band are diverse. Ward says the same goes for the material in his sets.

“I do pop stuff too,” Ward declares, mentioning tunes from the likes of vocal superstars Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. The violinist will, of course, perform some of his original works heard on his six CDs, the latest of which is After the Kiss.

Ward distinguishes himself in the “smooth” jazz world for his edgy approach and energetic stage presence. He also boasts a deep background in classical music which was his primary focus before attending Southern University of Baton Rogue and studying under the late, great clarinetist Alvin Batiste. Then it was all about jazz.

“We play hard,” Ward says of he and his band’s style. “The only difference (between smooth and straight-ahead jazz) is that we have a groove behind our music – we have a funk beat rather than a walking bass line. You can clap your hands and tap your feet to my music. It doesn’t swing, it’s all funk and groove.”

“I still love the (straight-ahead) music but nobody’s making any money,” says Ward of the modern jazz scene. He notes that great musicians like Batiste and saxophonist Kidd Jordan would never have been able to make a living playing the music that they loved. “That’s why they taught and thank god they did teach because they taught us. The were outstanding educators”

When Ward, whose travels have taken him to South Africa and recently to Washington D.C. to perform for the National Congressional Black Caucus, hits the road, he does so with a group made up of guys from Houston. New Orleans’ own, keyboardist Darrell Levigne, who now resides in Houston, remains Ward’s decades long music director.

At home, and for these upcoming gigs, his New Orleans band includes some familiar names like bassist Donald Ramsey, keyboardist Kendrick Marshall, guitarist Kenny Brown, who recently returned after years in Brazil, and drummer Cleve Bine.

The majority of Ward’s travels are on the weekend as outside of his music career, he’s also been a reserve deputy for the New Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Department for the last 18 years. Presently he acts as a safety officer for the film industry. “I always wanted to be in law enforcement,” he simply explains. Ward also performs with two other groups including one called No Strings Attached which pairs him with fellow violinist Karen Briggs and the Southern Gentlemen that features musicians from Alabama.

“I love the Gentilly Festival,” declares Ward who played at the event last year too. “Most of the people that come to the festival are people who made my career. They used to support me back in the day at Pampy’s at the Fourth Edition and at the Crescent City Club. It’s neighborhood, a family function.

As always, there’s a strong musical line-up at this year’s Gentilly Festival with favs like trumpeter/vocalist James Andrews and vocalist Charmaine Neville who get the party going on Friday. Closing out on Sunday are vocalist/pianist PJ Morton and the Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band. A unique offering at the Kid’s Village is horseback riding.

Ward also digs Jazz in the Park, where he’s making his second appearance. “It’s centrally located so you can get the tourists from out of town to come.” This Thursday he will be double billed with Michael “Soulman” Baptiste at the free evening show in Armstrong Park.

This article originally published in the October 2, 2017 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.