Referred to as the “First Daughter of Funk and R&B” as well as the “Rip City Soul Funk Diva,” Arietta Ward, aka “Mz. Etta” is an artistic force to be reckoned with. Raised in Portland, Arietta is the daughter of Northwest music royalty, the late pianist Janice Marie Scroggins.
Ken Boddie sits down with Ward to talk about her connection to Portland and why she is so excited to take the stage at the Waterfront Blues Festival this year.