Billy Ward

I can perform everything from a high energy sing a long to light classical and jazz background music. From tuxedo clad formality to blue jean, blue collar rock and roll and everything in between. I can play a provided piano, or bring one or more of my professionally crafted 4 foot grand piano shells that I put a Yamaha piano keyboard in. I can provide a sound system and a lighting system as well.

Billy started piano lessons at age six and continued to study to be a classical concert pianist throughout his teenage years. From a musical family - his great, great grandfather was a member of John Phillip Sousa's band in the early 1900's - Billy played his first professional job at age 16 with his Uncle Dan Vece Sr. (who played professionally until the age of 100). He continued to study music at The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, and the Berklee College of Music.

Boston, Massachusetts became Billy's home in the early 80's where performed almost every night, playing everything from Dixieland to Rock & Roll, R&B and Punk in many of Boston's bars and concert venues. Some of his bands included Billy and the Boys, The Incredible Dixieland Band, The Tall Boys, Blue Moon, B.O.M.B., The Undertakers and The Ozone Rangers.

In the early 90's Billy got back to his roots and started rocking again on the grand piano at Jake Ivory's on Lansdowne Street in Boston and in West Bridgewater, MA. After leaving Boston in 1995 he performed at Howl at the Moon in San Antonio, Texas and Miami, Florida. Eventually Billy would become Entertainment Director of the San Antonio Howl at the Moon franchise. In the fall of 2003 Billy moved to Arizona to help open The Big Bang Tempe, where he was an owner, Entertainment Director and also a featured performer. After 8 years at The Big Bang, Billy decided to move away from the full time dueling pianos concept and once again get back to his roots. He got a residency at Vincitorio’s Restaurant in Tempe, and expanded that to include a Jazz Night as well as his solo piano/vocal evenings. Billy played at Vincitorios for close to a decade, eventually performing there five nights a week. He also performed with the lovely and talented Sarah Vanell Sundays and Thursdays at Vincitorios. And of course, he spearheaded the monthly Dueling Pianos Show at Vincitorios, joined by his good friends Julie Simpson on piano and Matt Medrano on drums. In May of 2024 Billy relocated back to his home town of Clinton, CT., and is currently spending the bulk of his creative energy in his recording studio, creating music from Country to Rock to Hip-Hop for his studio clients.

Because of his years of experience in almost every style of music, Billy performs in a way that few people can - incorporating elements of Bach to Big Band to Bon Jovi to Bruno Mars, while sprinkling in generous amounts of surprising music you didn’t think you’d hear on piano in his energetic, spontaneous performances.

The most important technical requirement I have is an electrical outlet provided within 50 feet of where I am expected to perform.
I can play a provided piano, or bring one or more of my professionally crafted 4 foot grand piano shells that I put a Yamaha piano keyboard in. I can provide a sound system and a lighting system as well.
Any stage should be at least 8 feet wide and 8 feet deep.