Style similar to Najee, Kenny G, Rob White, and Grover Washington

12 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Smooth Jazz, URBAN/R&B: Contemporary urban



Details:
ANDRE WARD



With the ability to play the Soprano, Alto, Tenor Saxophone, and EWI ( electronic wind instrument) with skilled ease and passion, Andre Ward has been making noise on the Smooth Jazz scene winning fans over with his dynamic live performances. Having accomplished a top 5 position in Billboard Magazineâs Contemporary Jazz Chart with his debut album entitled â Feelinâ You,â Andre is now ready to take the next step in his progression with his sophomore release appropriately titled âSteppinâ Upâ.

Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Andre started playing music at the age of five. The snare drum would be his first instrument that would introduce him to his love of music, but it would be the saxophone that would ultimately allow him to receive a music performing scholarship to the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston. Andre continued gaining recognition around the world, whether it was at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland or at the Performing Arts Tour in Africa. With a resume of experience working with some of the biggest names in the business, it is no wonder that Andre can command a stage and personally connect with each listener.

As for what inspires Andre creatively, it would have to be his love of different kinds of music. âI think it helps me to be a well-rounded musician. Gospel, Hip-Hop, Contemporary and Traditional Jazz influence me. At first I only listened to Grover Washington, Jr. Then I was introduced to a recording of Cannonball Adderley and was blown away. I didnât know that a saxophonist could sound like this. I fell in love with Traditional Jazz; Charlie Parker and John Coltrane. That is when I began to understand what Grover Washington was doing, he was combining both elements.â

Andre explains that recording this album has been a pleasure after learning so much while making his first album. Now adding producer to his credits, Andre also teamed up with seasoned producer Yasha who has worked with such artists as Najee and Alex Bugnon. Andre also brings along newcomers, vocalists seventeen year old Chantal Rose on âAll I Ever Ask,â and Maurice Jacobs doing a rendition of Simply Redâs âHolding Back The Yearsâ produced by Michael Powell. Powell is known for his spectacular work with Anita Baker. Andre does a superb job with R. Kellyâs âStep In The Name Of Loveâ and âHeaven In My Lifeâ is an original track that he wrote and produced for his daughter Andreâa.

Whether heâs writing, creating, or performing his music, Andre loves sharing himself with his listeners. With the release of âSteppinâ Upâ, it is no wonder that Andre is raising the bar and taking it to the next level musically and creatively. Fans old and new will enjoy every bit of it.