Rogue males at Jimmy Glass

ROGUE Parade is an ensemble that was created by saxophonist and composer Greg Ward.

In late 2015, Ward returned to Chicago after six years in New York City. In February 2016, he was contacted by The Whistler, one of Chicago’s newer venues, about presenting a concert for their popular and still running, Relax Attack Jazz Series.

For this performance, Greg assembled a group of highly creative musicians, featuring Dave Miller on guitar and effects, Matt Gold on guitar and effects, Matt Ulery on upright and electric bass, and Quin Kirchner on drums. He also composed a new set of music with the purpose of exploring this unique instrumentation, which blends the acoustic with the electronic.

After the initial concert, The Whistler approached the quintet about presenting a monthlong residency in the summer of 2016. The residency consisted of four concerts and gave the band an opportunity to develop a rapport and to also build an audience. Rogue Parade continued to rehearse and to perform throughout Chicago for the remainder of that year.

In the spring of 2017, the ensemble went on tour throughout the American Midwest. Later in the year Ward received an Individual Artist Grant from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in Chicago to make a recording.

The Whistler gigs coupled with the grant and a special musical alchemy resulted in the release of Greg Ward presents Rogue Parade – Stomping off from Greenwood, which saw the light of day in January of this year.

Ward was born in Peoria, Illinois in 1982 and began studying at Northern Illinois University (NIU) at the age of 18.

Whilst studying there he worked with Steve Duke, Fareed Haque, Ron Carter, and Joey Sellers. He developed an interest in composition, after embracing the opportunity to compose for NIU’s jazz combos. Working with composer and arranger Joey Sellers also equipped Ward with some important tools to further explore his new love.

During his second year in college, Greg started spending time 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.

During this time period, Ward grew as a performer and composer and developed a vibrant community of performers, artists, dancers, and listeners.

After graduating 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. This included 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.

Ward decided to move to New York City in 2009 and almost immediately began working with JazzReach, an NYCbased jazz education organisation.

In 2010, he produced his first CD as a leader with his Chicago-based band, Fitted Shards. The release, South Side Story was heaped with 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. The album received good reviews, which highlighted the saxophonist/composer’s reluctance to get pigeonholed and willingness to experiment at jazz’s cutting edge.

Also in 2011, he composed and performed a commission from the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra for a concerto for jazz quartet and string orchestra.

In 2014, he received a commission/residency from the Jazz Gallery and premiered Capturing Sunlight - an hour-long work for septet which included a short documentary by Diana Quinones Rivera. The Capturing Sunlight project was inspired by the life and work of jazz trombonist Preston Jackson.

The above is a fleeting glimpse at the creative world in which Greg Ward thrives.

The best thing I can suggest is to give him a good listen on Spotify in order to immerse yourself in the many varied facets of his work as a saxophonist and composer. It is an exciting journey that covers many bases, including straight-up jazz, punk jazz (if the genre exists at all), fusion and, at times, prog-ish rock.

If you like what you hear then get along to Jimmy Glass in Valencia on October 24, when Greg Ward’s Rogue Parade band waltzes into town