Grant Stewart (musician)

Grant Stewart (born June 4, 1971) is a Canadian jazz saxophonist.

Grant Stewart
Background information
Born (1971-06-04) June 4, 1971
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsTenor sax, soprano sax
Years active1990s–present
Websitegrantstewartjazz.com
Grant Stewart at Copenhagen Jazz Festival 2018

Life and career

Stewart was born in Toronto, Ontario on June 4, 1971.[1] His father was a part-time jazz guitarist.[1] Aged ten, Stewart played on alto sax solos from saxophonists Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, and Wardell Gray that had been transcribed by his father.[2] "By his early teens, Stewart had already found performance experience with such artists as Pat LaBarbera and Bob Mover".[1] By 18 he "was leading a quartet in Toronto, including for a regular gig at C'est What café and pub"; and he moved to New York City when he was 19.[1]

In New York, Stewart first played with guitarist Peter Bernstein and saxophonist Jesse Davis.[2] He then began playing at Smalls Jazz Club from when it opened in 1993.[2]

His younger brother, Philip, has been a drummer in Stewart's bands since 2005.[2]

For his 2007 recording Young at Heart, Stewart chose some challenging compositions, including by Elmo Hope and Neal Hefti, as well as originals.[3] On Around the Corner in 2010, Stewart also played soprano sax.[4]

Playing style

Stewart plays "steady swinging, muscular hard bop".[2] His sound is "lean and sinewy, yet flush with lyricism, humor and rhythmic possibilities, much like tenor icons Dexter Gordon and Sonny Rollins, to whom Stewart is frequently compared".[2]

Discography

An asterisk (*) indicates that the year is that of release.

As leader/co-leader

Year recorded Title Label Personnel/Notes
1992 Downtown Sounds Criss Cross Quintet, with Joe Magnarelli (trumpet), Brad Mehldau (piano), Peter Washington (bass), Kenny Washington (drums)
1995 More Urban Tones Criss Cross With Peter Bernstein (guitar), Peter Washington (bass), Billy Drummond (drums), Chris Byars (tenor sax), Jay Collins (tenor sax)
1998 Buen Rollo Fresh Sound New Talent Trio, with Chris Higgins (bass), Marc Miralta (drums)
2004 Wailin' (Reeds and Deeds session) Criss Cross Quintet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), David Hazeltine (piano), Peter Washington (bass), Kenny Washington (drums)
2004 Grant Stewart + 4 Video Arts Quintet, with Joe Cohn (guitar), Bill Charlap (piano), Paul Gill (bass), Willie Jones III (drums)
2005 Stars Fell on Alabama Quintet, with Clark Terry (trumpet), Chip Crawford (piano), Ruslin Khain (bass), Sasha Loukachine (drums)
2005 Tenor and Soul VideoArts Most tracks quartet, with Joe Cohn (guitar), Ehud Asheire (piano), Joel Stewart (drums); some tracks quintet, with Ryan Kisor (trumpet) added
2005 Estate VideoArts With Eric Alexander (tenor saxophone), Joe Cohn (guitar), Ehud Asherie (piano), Joel Forbes (bass), Phil Stewart (drums)
2005 Cookin' (Reeds and Deeds) Criss Cross With Eric Alexander (tenor sax), David Hazeltine (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums)
2007* In the Still of the Night Sharp Nine Quartet, with Tardo Hammer (piano), Peter Washington (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums)
2007 The Shadow of Your Smile Sharp Nine Quartet, with Tardo Hammer (piano), Peter Washington (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums)
2007 Young at Heart Sharp Nine Quartet, with Tardo Hammer (piano), Peter Washington (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums)
2009 Plays the Music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn Sharp Nine Quartet, with Tardo Hammer (piano), Paul Gill (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums)
2010 Around the Corner Sharp Nine Quartet, with Peter Bernstein (guitar), Peter Washington (bass), Phil Stewart (drums); Stewart plays soprano sax on some tracks
2010 Tenor Time (Reeds and Deeds) Criss Cross With Eric Alexander (tenor sax), David Hazeltine (piano), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums)
2012 Live at Smalls Smalls Live Quartet, with Tardo Hammer (piano), David Wong (bass), Phil Stewart (drums); in concert
2014 Trio Live Cellar Live Trio, with Paul Sikivie (bass), Philip Stewart (drums); in concert

As sideman

Year recorded Leader Title Label
2007* Ehud Asherie Lockout Posi-Tone
2008* John Swana Bright Moments Criss Cross

References

  1. Collar, Matt "Grant Stewart". AllMusic. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  2. West, Michael J. (August 2008) "Grant Stewart: Young Old Soul". JazzTimes.
  3. Myers, Marc (March 18, 2008) "Grant Stewart: Young at Heart". JazzWax.
  4. Dryden, Ken "Grant Stewart: Around the Corner". AllMusic. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
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