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Skip Ward

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Skip Ward BIO

Grammy Award Winning Bassist, Guitarist, Ukulele-ist (is that a word), Lap Steel, Tuba and Penny Whistle... can also get around on piano, and sings background vox. ...OK, Skip Ward, Musician.

Skip Ward is a classically-trained jazz musician with a penchant for rock n' roll. And fusion, blues and bluegrass. In fact, Skip can play in just about anything with a rhythm section, and has had experience in too many genres and styles to count. He plays four, five and six string electric and acoustic fretted and fretless basses, and has a special love for the upright.

Though Skip was born and raised in the thriving metropolis of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, he now lives in New York City. He says he prefers the quietness of the Big Apple. He has studied with Anthony Knight of the Cleveland Orchestra and Frank DiLaberto of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He also had the privilege of studying with the great Jaco Pastorius, and surviving to tell the tale. Whether it's live or in the studio, Skip's bottom end truly is a very heavy thing. Artists he has played/recorded with include: Tony Trischka, with Steve Martin, Bela Fleck, Matuto, Gordon Stone (Phish), Phoebe Snow, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Cyndi Lauper, Cassandra Wilson, David Sancious (Sting, Eric Clapton), Manolo Badrena, Jim White, Tandy, The Wild Colonials, Angela McCluskey, David Benoit, Carrie Rodriguez, Melissa Manchester, Shannon McNally, Michael Daves, Steve Holley (Paul McCartney, Ian Hunter), Demolition String Band (featuring Boo Reiners), Brendan O'Shea, Mark Geary, Ana Egge, Darren Lyons Group, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Tom Pierson Big Band, Canton Symphony, Akron Symphony, the Ohio Ballet. For a complete list of artists, call Skip and be prepared to listen for a while. If you watch TV, you may have seen him on David Letterman, SNL or the The Ellen Degeneres Show. You'll hear Skip on many soundtracks, and he has been on national tour with a number of major theatrical productions. Million Dollar Quartet, NYC Shakespare In The Park As You Like It, High School Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, Song & Dance, Cats, Les Miserables, A Chorus Line and West Side Story are just a few of the shows he has worked on. He will be tour internationally as American Musical Ambassador through the U.S. State Department and American Voices. He also has lots of experience writing (he's a member of BMI) and playing advertising jingles, and plays regularly in Ireland. But perhaps we shouldn't talk about that.

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Margaret Curry to Present Encore Performance of THE SPACE IN-BETWEEN at Laurie Beechman Theatre


Join Bistro Award-winning vocalist Margaret Curry as she returns for an encore performance of THE SPACE IN-BETWEEN at Laurie Beechman Theatre. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Michael Rider Brings THIS 'OLD HOUSE to The Green Room 42 in May


Michael Rider will make his nightclub debut with the story of his odyssey from the family farm in Central Pennsylvania to the metropolis of New York City. This ‘Ol House: Stories of a City Bear, Country Queen is a collection of stories and songs detailing Rider's journey of discovery from an awkward, out-of-place, gay boy in the country to an out, openly fabulous queen in the city.

Musical Benefit For St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Comes to the Triad in April


Triad Theater and Laura Slutzsky will present a musical benefit for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, co-hosted by Laura Slutsky and Sue Matsuki, featuring special guest Lina Koutrakos.

Review: The Best of Cabaret Celebrated at the 39th Annual BISTRO AWARDS


Monday night was buzzing with anticipation as New York’s cabaret community gathered at Gotham Comedy Club for the 39th Annual Bistro Awards.

Liz Callaway, Billy Stritch & More Nominated for 2024 MAC Awards - See the Full List!


The Manhattan Association of Cabarets has revealed the 2024 MAC Award nominees. See who was nominated!

Maria Corsaro Brings An Encore Of WHY NOT? To Chelsea Table + Stage This April


Maria Corsaro will present reimagined arrangements of jazz standards along with beloved, but rarely performed jazz songs written by some of the most influential composers and lyricists of this great American art form.

Margaret Curry Brings An Encore of THE SPACE IN-BETWEEN At Laurie Beechman Theatre!


Catch Margaret Curry's encore performances of THE SPACE IN-BETWEEN at Laurie Beechman Theatre on April 6 and May 4. Don't miss the 2024 Bistro Award-winning show.

Margaret Curry Brings THE SPACE IN-BETWEEN to the Laurie Beechman Theatre


2024 Bistro Award-winning vocalist Margaret Curry will return to Laurie Beechman Theatre in encore performances of The Space In-Between, originally performed on November 30, 2023.

Maria Corsaro Will Bring WHY NOT? to Chelsea Table + Stage


Maria Corsaro will present reimagined arrangements of jazz standards along with beloved, but rarely performed jazz songs written by some of the most influential composers and lyricists of this great American art form.

Review: Kim David Smith Was Exquisite in MORE MOSTLY MARLENE at Joe's Pub


Bistro Award winning singer Kim David Smith was utterly mesmerizing at MORE MOSTLY MARLENE at Joe’s Pub on February 6th at 9:30 pm. Smith captured the essence of that famed star of stage and screen, Marlene Dietrich, and the period she represented.

Michael Rider Brings 'This 'Ol House: Stories of a City Bear, Country Queen' to Chelsea Table and Stage


Singer, performer, coach, and voice teacher Michael Rider brings his journey from a dairy farm in Pennsylvania to the metropolis of NYC through stories and songs during his NYC cabaret debut in THIS ‘OL HOUSE: STORIES OF A CITY BEAR, COUNTRY QUEEN.

Critically-Acclaimed Performer Kim David Smith Presents MORE MOSTLY MARLENE at Joe's Pub at the Public Theater


Kim David Smith invites Broadway World and its readers to his upcoming presentation of 'More Mostly Marlene' at Joe's Pub on February 6th. The show features an expanded program of Marlene Dietrich, Liza Minnelli, and Kylie Minogue songs, accompanied by a talented band. Don't miss this critically-acclaimed performer's captivating performance.

Photos: Margaret Curry Presents THE SPACE IN-BETWEEN at The Laurie Beechman Theatre


Margaret Curry played The Laurie Beechman Theatre on Thursday night, November 30th with her musical cabaret THE SPACE IN-BETWEEN.

Christopher Collette To Play The Laurie Beechman Theatre With COME FLY WITH ME


THE LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER will present up-and-coming Saloon Singer vocalist Christopher Collette and pianist, composer, music director Tracy Stark.

MARGARET CURRY In THE SPACE IN-BETWEEN: Thursday, November 30, 7:00PM At LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATRE!


Award-winning actress Margaret Curry returns to the cabaret stage to examine The Space In-Between through story and song. With joy and courage, she explores, stimulates, and delights in the universe between the present and the future, the good and the bad, hope and what's-to-come. Always seeking to dive and dig deep into all things human, ever-curious about why we do what we do, she strives to remind and cajole herself and her audiences to fly higher.

Kati Neiheisel Plays Lovely Encore Of Carpenters Tribute Show YESTERDAY... ONCE MORE At Pangea


Performers who take on the task of creating tribute shows can sometimes fall into the trap of emulating or copying performances of the artists and/or tunes to which they are trying to pay homage, but Neiheisel has not fallen into that trap. 

Maria Corsaro to Present I COULD GET USED TO THIS! at Chelsea Table + Stage in November


Maria Corsaro will present her new show 'I Could Get Used to This!' at Chelsea Table + Stage, Thursday, November 9th at 7:00 PM. 

Kati Neiheisel Brings YESTERDAY...ONCE MORE to Pangea


Kati Neiheisel brings her love of the Carpenters back to Pangea with an encore performance of Yesterday...Once More, a show celebrating the musical legacy of sibling duo, Karen and Richard Carpenter. With musical direction by Gregory Toroian and directed by Lina Koutrakos, the show includes songs written by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis, Hal David and Burt Bacharach, Paul Williams and Roger Nichols, Leon Russell and more!

BACKSTAGE BABBLE CELEBRATES TONY AWARDS HISTORY, Adam Pascal, and More to Play 54 Below Next Week


Next week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club and 2022 Tony Awards Honoree for Excellence in the Theatre, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. 54 Below celebrates Broadway musicals and writers of the past and present, promoting an ongoing engagement with their work.

Patti Bottino-Bravo Brings ACT 3 to The Laurie Beechman Theatre


An encore performance of a new show about one woman's unexpected reaction to facing retirement and finally doing what she always said she wanted to do. Featuring songs spanning the 1950s through the 1990s from musical theater, pop, rock, and jazz genres, with new twists on familiar tunes and some hidden gems.

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