(December 28, 2020) Rip City Soul Funk Diva. That is quite the honor bestowed on Arietta Ward, the daughter of pianist Janice Scroggins, who touched the Portland, Oregon community as a musician and educator. Since Scroggins’ passing in 2014, Ward has invested her time towards creating a her first album - discovering what her purpose is an artist would be. Ward describes her musical mission this way: “When you open your mouth – always hold that intent in the highest positive vibration possible. Artists are healers, music has healing power. Music is sacred.”
Now that a half dozen plus years have passed, this singer/songwriter who has shared the stage with her hometown’s cream of the crop musicians, including Esperanza Spaulding and Jarrod Lawson, is finally ready to share her journey.
(December 28, 2020) Rip City Soul Funk Diva. That is quite the honor bestowed on Arietta Ward, the daughter of pianist Janice Scroggins, who touched the Portland, Oregon community as a musician and educator. Since Scroggins’ passing in 2014, Ward has invested her time towards creating a her first album - discovering what her purpose is an artist would be. Ward describes her musical mission this way: “When you open your mouth – always hold that intent in the highest positive vibration possible. Artists are healers, music has healing power. Music is sacred.”
Now that a half dozen plus years have passed, this singer/songwriter who has shared the stage with her hometown’s cream of the crop musicians, including Esperanza Spaulding and Jarrod Lawson, is finally ready to share her journey.
From the long awaited self-titled debut, Arietta, our latest First Listen focus, “Don’t Ask Questions” probes topics of responsibility and trust when the going gets tough: “Did you want me to lie/Or tell you the truth/Don’t ask questions/That you don’t want the answers to.” Ward’s rich alto effectively carries this gripping storyline. And the backing band and vocalists representing Portland’s finest (including Tony Ozier, Tyrone Hendrix and Michael Whitmore) provide a slow brewing solid classic soul soundtrack. A juicy trombone solo from Kyle Molitor further heightens the tension behind relationship conflicts. Welcome to First Listen and SoulTracks, Arietta Ward. Your mother would be immensely proud.
By Peggy Oliver
Arietta Ward - "Don't Ask Questions"