Clarence Ward III and DMV Collective perform at the Montpelier Arts Center in Laurel on March 9, 2018. Aided by some of the finest musicians in the region, the multi-instrumentalist will burn away the cold with the passionate delivery of his jazz music.

Ward has toured and performed with icons such as Gladys Knight, Nancy Wilson, and Aretha Franklin. In the R&B world he's worked with the Chante Moore, Ruff Endz and Ledisi. He played countless venues in the U.S. and Japan before returning his focus to Charm City, where he has created one of the most exciting jazz jam sessions on the Eastern Seaboard. Attracting seasoned jazz cats and putting newbies through their paces.

Ward is joined by great performers for his Montpelier debut. Recently returning from Cincinnati, vibraphonist Chris Barrick has performed at the Kennedy Center, Strathmore and Blues Alley. Guest vocalist Zenia McPherson will continue on her path of winning hearts and minds internationally. Pianist Hope Udobe, bassist Mikel Combs, and percussionist Quincy Phillips complete the band. Phillips also drums for Roy Hargrove and appears on the 2017 Grammy winning Christian McBride Big Band album, Bringin’ It. Program highlights will include Ellington classic “Cottontail,” and the Ward original “Thanks for the Tears,” written for his mother.

Equally accessible from Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Annapolis, Montpelier Arts Center is located at 9652 Muirkirk Road in Laurel, Maryland.