David ward

 ​composer -​ musician​
​guitar & banjo
DAVID WARD
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A diversely creative instrumentalist, improviser  and award-winning composer for theatre and film, for over 20 years David has worked in a wide array of musical contexts, touring his music extensively in NZ, Singapore, Australia, India, ​​
Germany and the U.S.A.

One of his most enduring and celebrated collaborations has been with ​INDIAN INK THEATRE COMPANY, ​
as their ​Composer, Musical Director and Musician since 2004.

​Shows include: KRISHNAN'S DAIRY,
THE CANDLESTICKMAKER,
KISS THE FISH, GURU OF CHAI, THE ELEPHANT THIEF, THE DENTIST'S CHAIR,
​WELCOME TO THE MURDERHOUSE and
PARADISE AND THE IMPERMANENCE OF
ICE CREAM . For his theatre compositions
he has twice won the CHAPMAN TRIPP 
​THEATRE AWARD 
for ​​​
​"Most Outstanding Composer."
​
​(2010 and 2014)

David is a unique and talented guitarist and improviser, leading original jazz vehicles such as ONOMATOPOEIA and the RUCKUS ensemble. He has established himself in NZ as a master clawhammer banjo player, as seen recently in Old-Time, Folk and Blues projects WHEEL OF EXPERIENCE and SHINDIG, which was a main act at
2021 KIWIGRASS NZ Bluegrass festival.

He has worked as session player, collaborator and sideman with many of New Zealand's most talented artists, was a member of the popular Country/Rock N' Roll group THE BROADSIDES, and other country artists such as TAMI NEILSON, winner of multiple NZ Music Awards. ​​

In 2009 David collaborated with Andrew McMillan, Chris O’Connor and John Bell to record the “World Class” soundtrack for Red Leap Theatre’s production of THE ARRIVAL, which premiered at the AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL
​ARTS FESTIVAL, and in 2012 contributed to their show
PAPER SKY.

​In 2011, David conceived, composed and produced the critically acclaimed show WHEEL OF EXPERIENCE,
for the AUCKLAND ​RANDOM ACTS FESTIVAL.
It has since completed a 27-date nationwide tour with
Arts On Tour NZ, a sell out season at Q THEATRE and a
2022 tour with the SMALL HALL SESSIONS.
​

​In 2018 David was invited to perform as a guest Banjoist with the AUCKLAND PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA,
performing the live score to the silent film "The General" in the ​AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL,
and in 2019 he returned to feature in Ghershwin's Rhapsody in Blue.

In 2022 David composed and recorded music for the AMC animated series

SLIPPIN' JIMMY, Based on the childhood
of BETTER CALL SAUL'S character
Jimmy Mcgill.
Picture
In 2021 David was banjo tutor/advisor, arranger
& composer for 
JANE CAMPION'S
​Golden Globe and
Oscar-Winning film 
 

THE POWER OF THE DOG:  
​​​     
​
 "The most menacing five-string banjo picking since Deliverance."​
-THE GUARDIAN
​​
Picture
David tutoring Benedict Cumberbatch

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  • HOME
  • LISTEN: Compositions
  • INDIAN INK: Theatre Shows
  • SHOW REVIEWS
  • WHEEL OF EXPERIENCE
  • RUCKUS: Jazz Ensemble
  • SHINDIG: Banjo Trio
  • PHOTO GALLERY
  • LESSONS: Guitar & Banjo
  • CONTACT