Meet Darrell Ward | Musician/Music Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Darrell Ward and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Darrell, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my success is just showing up. Growing up; I always knew I was destined for greatness. I used to have church service in my room with my siblings. Both me and my brother took piano lessons and learned some piano playing skills from our mom. We used to do piano recitals playing music from Beethoven and Mozart in large rooms. This shaped and molded me to learn stage presence at a young age. I also started being the music of minister at my father’s church in middle school. This really pushed me to my best potential as a musician and taught me leadership skills at a very young age as I had to be the one to teach parts and bring music for the church choir.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a musician/music director. I’ve been playing keys since I was 12 years old. I’m not only a church musician but I also play different genres as well such as neo soul; jazz; pop and blues. I’ve played for different artists around the Dallas Fort Worth area. In 2021 and 2022; I’ve had the chance to tour around the country with two artists; playing in cities like New York City; Austin; Houston; and Atlanta. I have been to showcase my musical stylings with these Artists through the SofarSounds platform. One thing about me is I love to do things for the community. In 2022; I had my first event called Urban Soul where we invited the community to come out and hear us play some neo soul and jazz music. The event was amazing and we had several vendors at the event as well as a DJ. Through the years; I have also sung and played around the Dallas area. I have played at three weddings as well. I’ve learned that getting yourself out there opens endless opportunities. I have learned so much but one thing I will say I’ve learned the most is not being afraid to put yourself out there. Network; put yourself out there and get involved in the community because that is where you meet amazing people and you create a space for endless opportunities. I want people to know that I love my craft of being a musician but most of all I love a sense of community.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would definitely take them to Deep Ellum (not at night) but take them to the Freeman to listen to good music. We would start the day by going hiking out in Cedar Ridge to enjoy the views. We would hang out in my favorite area Bishop Arts to walk around check out the record vinyl store; different boutiques in bishop arts. We would go eat at my favorite soul food restaurant Roots Kitchen; Mike’s chicken; and Uchi Dallas just to name a few. I also would take my best friend out to The Colony to grandscape and Andretti’s. Lastly we would do a day in Fort Worth hitting up the Fort Worth zoo (my favorite) as well hit up the bars on West 7th in Fort Worth.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to shoutout a few important people in my life. I have to first shoutout my mom who taught me and my siblings how to have stage presence and always allowed us the opportunity to sing in large rooms. She is also w musician and is through her where I learned how to be a church musician and how to carry a service. I also want to shoutout my dad who pushed me to take piano lessons as a kid. I have to shoutout my sister Chunni Bun who still pushes and motivates me to become the best version of myself in my craft. Lastly I want to shoutout my granny who pushed me and my siblings to have boldness and courage to perform. She always gave us opportunities to sing and we used to have church services at her home and she would invite the community to come over to enjoy the worship service.

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