I feel like this music is me in as much as this is the clear-
est interpretation of myself through the notes on and off
the page. Throughout my career I’ve had so many interests
and worked in different scenes and avenues. I felt that this
album was the most concise way to convey my story. The
music throughout SOUTHSIDE STORY is strong and pre-
sented in a clear way but I have no intention of making
you, the listener, feel a certain mood or angle when you
listen, I just want you to feel something that is unique to
you. In the title track, FITTED SHARDS, you’ll find that it is
what it is. This song is about those broken, smashed pieces
of everything that I am. I’ve brought them all together to
make something that is new, a new voice for me to present
to the world. Somehow or another, I think that’s what we’re
all made of. So for now, I’m not holding back anymore. I’ve
put everything into my career and my life and entered an
all-or nothing world. If I don’t live in this, my ideas won’t
be clear and the music begins to sound hesitant and that’s
the opposite of what I want. This is where these shards
take their place. They must fit your bigger picture, the ideal
you represent. Sometimes you have to step forward among
the ranks, especially in your career. You can’t always be the
person that leans back with everyone else, doing what-
ever you’ve got to do to get by. Instead, you have to take a
stand for what you believe in. I hope you enjoy SOUTHSIDE
STORY as this is my story, what I believe in and my way of
claiming the ground I walk. I would also like to thank God
for the gift of music which I’m truly blessed to share with
the world. Also, special thanks to my parents, sister, Ward
and Curtis family, Mary Jo Papich, Ron Carter, Steve Duke,
Joey Sellers, Fred Anderson, Rob Clearfield, Quin Kirchner,
Jeff Greene, Maurice Brown, Mike Reed, Anthony Molinaro
and Henry Hey at 19-8 Records, Don Getsug, Larry Harms,
Cicily Janus, Manny Sanchez, Jonathan Krohn and the
RocketHub organization. Without your support, this record
couldn’t have been completed. This music is for all of you.
Enjoy.
—Greg Ward with Cicily Janus
www.gregward.org
www.newfaceofjazz.com
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