6:15-7:00pm
Zak Ward
@ facebook.com/zakwardbuffalo/
Singer/Songwriter from Buffalo, NY. Zak Ward has been playing professionally since the 2004 in a wide variety of bands and as a solo act all around Western New York as well as touring nationwide.
After earning a Theater degree at Niagara University, Ward relocated to Boston in 2004, where he earned a living as a musician in various Boston bands and acting in various television commercials. He spent a year on the West Coast in 07-08, busking the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica and playing shows at The Viper Room, Tangier, Brown Derby, and Rainbow Room in the Los Angeles area.
Ward returned to WNY in 2008 and formed his new band, Son of the Sun, with hometown friend Joe Stocker. The group would be named “A Band to Watch” by The Buffalo News music critic Jeff Miers. During its five year run, the band would play a number notable opening slots for acts like Our Lady Peace, Smash Mouth, The Trews, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, The Guess Who, Blue Oyster Cult, The Tea Party, Steven Page of The Barenaked Ladies, Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s, and more. Son of the Sun would go on to receive a number of accolades and awards including Best Original Band 2009 (Buffalo Spree), Best Indie Band 2011 (WBNY), Album of the Year 2011 – The Happy Loss (Artvoice). In addition to playing some of Western New York’s biggest stages and events including Thursday at the Square, Canalside Concert Series, Artpark, and Hard Rock Café Outdoor Summer Series, Son of the Sun performed sets at SXSW, NXNE, CMJ, and other various North American festivals.
With the band quietly calling it quits at the end of 2013, Ward changed gears to focus on his solo career, releasing two solo EPs, The Gallimaufry (2013) and That’s What You Get (2014). He was nominated for Best Male Vocalist 2015 (Artvoice) and the #8 Buffalo Track of the Year in 2014, “Who You Really Are” (buffaBLOG).
Ward remains involved in the acting community, appearing with Shakespeare in Delaware Park, the Irish Classical Theatre, and starring in the title role in The Buddy Holly Story during its sold-out run at Amherst’s MusicalFare Theatre in 2015. The musician once again teamed up with MusicalFare Theatre in early 2016, this time to join the stage production of Ring of Fire, a Johnny Cash tribute show.
Never one to stay quiet, Ward continues to be involved in multiple side projects. In 2011, he formed the 90’s alternative rock cover band Kurt & The Loders. Named Best Cover Band of 2014 by Buffalo Spree. In 2016 Zak was asked to form the new official band of the Buffalo Bills ‘The BILLievers’, playing at all Bills home games. All this in addition to private parties, weddings, daytime shows at assisted living residences and recently becoming a father.
The newest project is 'First Ward'. Original melodically detailed rock music based in Buffalo. More info at www.firstwardmusic.com