Hector Ward & The Big Time

Hector Ward and the Big Time has brought us the fantastic live album Evolution: Live at the Saxon Pub.  Combining funk, blues, rock, reggae and Latin pop, The Big Time scorches through 22 kick-ass tracks.  Ward has a gruff, rough-hewn voice that is perfect for the blues, as well as being expressive and soulful.  Most noteworthy though is the great horn section on such tracks as “Brown Liquor” and “Uncle Chas”.  The brass embraces the bluesy motif, while expanding it into a more dynamic sound.

The band explores other types of music also: rockabilly (“Gypsy River”, Latin (“La Luna”) and reggae (“Simplify”).  With a danceable rhythm, “Freightline Funk” climbs to an explosive climax with some great interplay between lead guitar and horns.   “Hot Sauce” is another great funky romp barrelling along at breakneck speed.  If this album is any indication, their live shows must be exciting entertainment.

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The son of Cuban refugees who met in Texas, Hector Ward has sixteen years of experience in the Austin music scene.  Known for their high energy, dance-floor filling shows, they embrace blues and rock.  The members include Ward on guitar and lead vocals, Cari Hutson on vocals and Mike McGurk on drums.  Rounding out the ensemble are Scott Beardsley on bass guitar and Rodney Corvin on congas and percussion.  In addition, the horn line includes Tiger Anaya (trumpet), Houston Rawls (tenor saxophone), Ben Taylor (trombone) and Mark Wilson (baritone saxophone).

In 2009, their first album Freightline Funk was released.  Subsequently the second album, Sum of All, released in March at Antone’s, features originals by Ward and other band members. The release follows years of collecting accolades. The Austin Chronicle included Hector Ward and the Big Time on the best new local acts lists.  The band has shared the stage with the likes of Uncle Lucius, Del Castillo, Bob Schneider and Gary Clark, Jr.

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