Jazz
Grant Stewart Sax (Tenor)
Joe Farnsworth Drums
Joe Marciano Engineer
John Abbott Photography
Judy Lamirand Graphic Design
Marc Edelman Producer
Michael Marciano Mixing, Mastering
Tardo Hammer Piano
Grant Stewart's first two Sharp Nine releases opened the ears of many jazz fans who were won over by his tremendous sound, technical facility and never-ending flow of musical ideas. These attributes remain fully on display as Stewart tackles the music of two of his favorite composers, Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. From the lush boudoir rendering of iTonight I Shall Sleep/i to a warp speed interpretation of iIt Don't Mean A Thing/i, Stewart's treatment of these classic tunes is respectful of tradition even as he breathes new life into them. Sharing the solo spotlight is master pianist Tardo Hammer whose elegant lines and feathery touch serve as the perfect foil to Stewart's full-throated tenor.
Canadian Grant Stewart has long been a part of the New York jazz scene, and his big-toned tenor is well suited to the music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Joined by pianist Tardo Hammer (frequently complimented by producer/label owner Marc Edelman as one of the city's best-kept secrets), bassist Paul Gill, and drummer Joe Farnsworth, Stewart explores both hits and less frequently explored songs from the vast repertoire of Ellington and Strayhorn, beginning with a brisk, effusive arrangement of "Raincheck," which incorporates the changes utilized by Sonny Rollins in his 1953 recording. Stewart's setting of "I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart" has a boppish tinge, as does the uptempo setting of "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)," in which the rhythm section fuels the fire of the leader. His hip arrangement of the Latin cooker "Angelica," originally recorded by Ellington as "The Purple Gazelle," swings like mad. The tenor saxophonist also masters ballads such as the overlooked "Tonight I Shall Sleep (With a Smile on My Face)" and the dreamy "The Star-Crossed Lovers," the latter long a feature for Ellington's alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges. This is easily one of Grant Stewart's best recordings. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
Grant Stewart
Active Decades: '90s and '00s
Born: Jun 04, 1971 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Neo-Bop
Toronto native Grant Stewart is a hard-swinging tenor saxophonist steeped in the jazz tradition. Introduced to jazz by his part-time jazz guitarist father, Stewart grew up listening to such legendary saxophonists as Charlie Parker, Wardell Gray, and others. By his early teens, Stewart had already found performance experience with such artists as Pat La Barbera and Bob Mover, and at age 19 moved to New York City. Since that time, Stewart has performed with a bevy of well-known jazz musicians, including Clark Terry, Brad Mehldau, Curtis Fuller, and many others. On his own, Stewart has released a handful of recordings, including 1992's Downtown Sounds, 1999's Buen Rollo, 2005's Grant Stewart + 4, and 2007's In the Still of the Night.
---Matt Collar, All Music Guide |
