Biography

b. 5 January 1944, Waterford, Eire. After playing guitar in a succession of Dublin-based showbands, Stewart began playing jazz in the early 60s. By the end of the decade he had achieved a substantial reputation by working with such leading jazzmen as Tubby Hayes and Benny Goodman. Throughout the 70s he continued to enhance his standing in both the UK and the USA, playing and recording with Ronnie Scott, Don Burrows, George Shearing, Peter Ind and others. He also toured Europe, attracting considerable attention everywhere he played. In the 80s and 90s his reputation grew apace, despite his preference for spending a substantial part of his time in his homeland, and he made well-received albums with Martin Taylor, Brian Dunning, and Spike Robinson. He has composed a number of pieces based on the work of James Joyce, several of which appeared on the albums Milesian Source and Joycenotes. A brilliant sound allied to a crystal-clear tone has helped to make Stewart one of the outstanding guitarists in jazz. A virtuoso technique allows him to realize fully his endless inventiveness. In 1998, Stewart received an Honory Doctorate by Trinity College, Dublin.