The M. in M. Wards name is for Matt but to anyone whos spent quality time with the Portland, Ore., singer-songwriters catalog, it might as well stand for Maestro. A true musicians musician, Ward has performed and recorded with such acclaimed artists as Cat Power, Beth Orton, My Morning Jacket, Norah Jones, Jenny Lewis and Bright Eyes (whose Conor Oberst shouted M. Ward for president! during one memorable performance together on The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn). Wards songs are drawn from the country-folk and blues tradition, sung in a dry, hauntingly forlorn voice and driven by his fluid, John Fahey-style acoustic guitar picking. He issued his solo debut, Duet for Guitars #2, in 1999, and every record since has been met with glowing reviews. All Music Guide called his 2006 set Post-War one of the best records of the year, while his most recent project the album Volume One by She and Him (Ward and singer-songwriter/actress Zooey Deschanel) was described by Billboard as a rewarding collection of dusky, mesquite-flavored torch songs.