REV. MARV WARD
Poet, Songwriter, Guitarist
Rev. Marv Ward
Experience the soulful sounds of a seasoned blues artist.
- Blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and poet, Rev. Marv Ward grew up in the small town of Lorton, Virginia. He played his first gig at 10 and started performing professionally at age 16. He's played in literally dozens of bands over the past 63 years and has secured his place among bluesmen with his straight-forward no-nonsense blues style. It's a little bit Delta, a little bit Piedmont, a whole lot of R&B, but mostly, it's straight up Rev. Marv Ward. The Rev. has played his original and visionary blues stylings in venues all over the country and has shared stages with music legends such as Aerosmith, Joan Baez, Dave Van Ronk, Paul Geremia, Maria Muldaur, Nappy Brown, John Hammond, Bob Margolin, Big Bill Morganfield, Mac Arnold, Mooky Brill and many more. Listed in An Encyclopedia of South Carolina Jazz and Blues Musicians, Ward writes poetry with the same passion that he composes his songs. He has three collections of poetry now published “One Lone Minstrel, “Healing Time,” and his latest “Bar Stool Poet”, to go along with his six published solo CD’s. Ward lives in Columbia, South Carolina. He previously served in the United States Naval Reserve and has worked in broadcast and educational television throughout North and South Carolina. At age 79“, The Rev.” is still going strong performing with local ensembles “Wallstreet and The Blues Brokers,” Jelly Roll and Delicious Dish,” and occasionally with the “Shrimp City Allstars” and still writing. A holiday CD and perhaps a fourth book are in the works.
In 2016 blues musician, singer, and songwriter "Reverend" Marv Ward was documented inAn Encylopedia of South Carolina Jazz & Blues Musiciansby Benjamin Franklin V
Explore Rev. Marv Ward's WORDS & Music
Ward writes poetry with the same passion that he composes his songs. He has three collections of poetry now published “One Lone Minstrel, “Healing Time,” and his latest “Bar Stool Poet”, to go along with his six published solo CD’s
Marv Ward's Poetry
Tim Conroy said this about Ward’s poetry: “The triumphant refrain is that regardless of pain, loss, dust, longing, somehow, we remain who we are supposed to be. All we have is our ability to give thanks when “night looms” and to move forward in our “endeavor to persevere.” After reading “First Thursday,” we can’t help but feel that to reach true destinations, it is best to “wander/ aimlessly.” This collection is piping with sound; wails, a steam-released instrument where the calliope cautions “the desperate heart/knows no fear/but is afraid to be alone.” Marv Ward wounds and heals with a luring voice.”
Marv Ward has had his poetry published in other collections, anthologys and magazines