Grant Stewart (musician)

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]

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]

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