Dat Feel Good

Clarence Ward III is a flugelhornist, saxophonist, and trumpeter whose lions’ heart style of playing positions him as the vanguard of reinforcing jazz musics’ vital voice for these modern times.

Clarence began performing at the age of 15 and was taught by the renown Charles Funn. 

In 2003-04, Ward won a competitive spot on the HBCU All Star Big Band representing The University of Maryland Eastern Shore in the prestigious International Association for Jazz in Education Festival in both Canada and New York. It was with the All Star Big Band that Clarence Ward III recorded with Jimmy Cobb live at the Schomburg Center for Black Culture.

Over the years, he has performed with a diverse range of artists including Gladys Knight, N’Dambi Blue, Robert Glasper, Nancy Wilson, Musiq Soulchild, and Benny Golson. 

During 2008–2010, Ward collaborated and toured with R&B Soul Singer Ledisi. Thus, performing with her at Yoshi Jazz Club in Oakland; touring Japan; and, performing at Billboard Live in Tokyo and Osaka. 

In 2015 & 2016, Clarence had the pleasure of  performing with The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, at Caesar’s Palace at Caesar’s Palace.

Since 2015, Ward leaned into being a full-time musician and honing his craft and his band Dat Feel Good.  They are one of the most sought-after neo-jazz bands in the DC/MD areas. They play to soldout crowds and lead a weekly jam session every Monday night in Baltimore that has become the premier place to see world-touring, recording artists playing alongside Ward as well as students from local schools of music. It is not unusual to see musicians and jazz enthusiasts from as far as NY, NJ, and Philly dropping in with him. Running consistently also since 2015, The Session has been named Baltimore’s Best Jam Session.