"Melanated Love" is a soulful, jazz-infused single written, produced, arranged, and performed by Clarence Ward III in collaboration with his band Dat Feel Good. The track blends rich instrumental textures with smooth rhythms, guided by Ward’s expressive play on trumpet, flugelhorn, and other instruments, alongside electric bass and guitar contributions. At its heart, the song is a celebration of love, identity, and cultural affirmation — honoring the beauty, resilience, and emotional depth of melanated people and relationships through a warm, uplifting musical narrative. Its feel-good groove and heartfelt melodic lines evoke both introspection and joy, inviting listeners to connect on a deeply emotional level with the artist’s purpose and experience. Melanated Love stands as a testament to contemporary jazz’s capacity to communicate love, pride, and shared human experience with sophistication and heartfelt sincerity

“Thanks for the Tears” — Song Description & Inspiration

Thanks for the Tears is a deeply personal composition written in honor of my mother and the difficult journey we shared growing up. Life was often challenging, and while I did not always receive the love or stability I longed for, the struggle itself became a powerful teacher. This song reflects a place of reflection rather than resentment — an acknowledgment that pain, sacrifice, and hardship can shape strength, resilience, and understanding.

The title speaks to gratitude born from adversity. Every tear, every difficult moment, contributed to the person I became and the artist I am today. Through soulful melodies and emotional honesty, Thanks for the Tears expresses appreciation for the lessons learned through struggle, honoring the complexity of love, family, and survival. It is both a tribute and a release — transforming hardship into healing through music.

​"A live display of rare multi-instrumentalism, this clip features Ward improvising a counterpoint with himself. There are few people walking the earth who can play both instruments at this level of mastery, and this performance proves why. It showcases the stamina, technical precision, and soulful expression required to command two distinct instrument families simultaneously."