The James Ward Band, a.k.a. The JWB, is a contemporary jazz and smooth jazz band. Their compositions also infuse elements of latin, R&B, fusion, funk, jazz, and gospel. The band formed in January 1997 at The Blue Room and continue to play across the greater Kansas City area.

Bandleader James Ward is a Kansas City native. He attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida, where he studied Tuba, and played acoustic and electric bass. He has performed alongside Nat Adderly, Bobby Watson, Patti Austin, Jonathan Dubose, Claude "Fiddler" Williams, Lisa Henry, and a host of other artists.  James also toured South Africa with Oleta Adams.

On May 12, 2007, the band released "In Perspective", which debuted on the Smooth Jazz Indie Charts at #42 and quickly soared to the top 20 and stayed for a number of weeks. In Perspective was followed by "Groove Axis" released July 2010, which is still available on CD Baby, iTunes, eMusic, and amazon.com.