The Perfect Mother’s appreciation video message – Sade song performed by Smooth Jazz saxophonist André Ward “Kiss Of Life” visual video – from the album “Africa Rising”

Hi Paul,

AFRICA RISING” is the fifth release from noted smooth jazz sax leader ANDRE WARD on the Gallery Entertainment/Orpheus Enterprises label. The Chicago native brings together originals and remakes, each with their own distinct flavor. From the hip-hop flavored single, “Casualty Of Love” (with vocalist K’Jon), to the upbeat, brassy remake of Stevie Wonder’s “Do I Do.” Andre covers many musical palates.

Born and raised in the Windy City, Andre cites his hometown’s longtime jazz and R&B legacy as an inspiration for his music and career. “My favorite band will always be Earth Wind & Fire, which was 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.”

Andre 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, “Andre 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 Andre 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.  Andre 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 – “We’ve been trying to work together for some time but he had commitments to fulfill for the label. Finally, K’Jon sent over the instrumental track for ‘Casualty Of Love’ and I immediately liked it. What makes this song special is lyrically the story is about the belief of love on a positive note – which is missing in many new tunes out there now. ‘Casualty Of Love’ is about the benefits of love and how it makes life better…puts a positive spin on being a prisoner of love.

Andre now has a new single from the “AFRICA RISING” release, 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.

It is Andre Ward’s hope that listeners will not only enjoy “AFRICA RISING” but will also find some hope and inspiration. “Africa is a force in the world which inspire those to have a vision and belief in positive things to come, to have hope for the future generations. Not only economically but as far as how driven folks from the motherland are in business and life,” exclaims Andre. “As we as a people are still emerging from the pandemic, through my music we can look to Africa as a driving force to keep us moving forward in life.”