Information/Write-up
Nancy Ward is a Canadian multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and arranger whose career has spanned folk, rock, and pop music. Originally from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, she became an integral part of the Hamilton and Toronto music scenes in the late 1960s and 1970s.
Ward first gained national recognition as the keyboardist and vocalist for Tranquillity Base, a band that included Ian Thomas, Oliver McLeod, Nora Hutchinson, and Bob Doidge. The group was signed to RCA and performed alongside acts such as Lighthouse and The Association, earning a reputation for their innovative harmonies and instrumentation. Their 1970 single, If You're Lookin', charted on the RPM 100.
Beyond Tranquillity Base, Ward's versatility as a folk guitarist and pianist led to collaborations with some of Canada’s most respected musicians. She performed and recorded with Sylvia Tyson, The Ian Thomas Band, and Jeff White, and shared stages with legends like Gordon Lightfoot and Liona Boyd.
In the 1980s, Ward pursued a solo career, releasing albums that showcased her skills as a songwriter and interpreter of folk and pop standards. Her 1980 record Someone to Love Me included her rendition of The Lion Sleeps Tonight. She also became known for her work as a musical arranger, crafting vocal and instrumental pieces for choirs and ensembles.
Later in her career, Ward adopted the name Nancy White-Bartlett, under which she has continued to write, perform, and compose. Her contributions to Canadian music, both as a performer and behind the scenes, have cemented her legacy as a talented and versatile artist.
-Robert Williston
Words and music by Nancy Ward unless otherwise noted
Arranged & Conducted by Francois Dompierre
Produced by Francois Dompierre for DISCOTEL, assisted by Marie Prevost
Recorded & mixed by Paul Page, assisted by Rene Godbout at “Le Studio St-Charles, Longueuil, Quebec
Photos by Yves Nantel
Graphic Design by Robert Bedard
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