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Stew Cutler
Jazz, soul, blues, funk, roots, rhythm & blues. This is the part where comparisons usually begin. We prefer not to compare. When the lifelong artist/sideman becomes the composer, arranger, and leader to showcase his unique style and musical voice comparisons cannot be fair or truly honest. Pure musical expression delivered with honesty and integrity can go a long way in soothing the savage soul.
Born and raised in New York City, Cutler developed a keen interest in the guitar at an early age. Growing proficient, and with confidence, he left for the open road at 19 his first gig being with blues legend Z.Z. Hill. Seeking to push and hone his skills, Cutler also began playing with new music pioneers Bobby Previte and Eliot Sharp. He later moved to Woodstock, NY, to work with bassist Harvey Brooks (Miles Davis, Bob Dylan) but would eventually return to New York City.
As a sideman, Cutler has performed the world over with the greats: Percy Sledge, Eddie Floyd, Wilson Pickett, Fontella Bass, The Fantastic Johnny C, Earl King, Jimmy Castor, and more recently, Queen Esther Marrow and the Harlem gospel Singers and Sweet Georgia Brown. He has worked with artists as diverse as Meatloaf, Jeb Loy Nichols, David Fanshawe and Jimmy Dale Gilmore. But not satisfied to be only playing the classics, Cutler is on record with many of the greats of Jazz and modern music, including David Sanborn, Bill Frisell, Lester Bowie, Charlie Hunter, Wayne Horvitz, Bobby Previte, Robin Holcomb, Philip Johnston, and Eliot Sharp to name a few.
With the success of his first two Cds “Trio Music” on Fountainbleu records and “Insignia” on the Naim label, Stew has developed a unique sound. R& B and Avant Gard, melody and noise. With “So Many Streams” (Fountainbleu) Cutler, with the help of friends Eliot Sharp and Jeb Loy Nichols, and many others, returns to his roots. This new release, Trio Live gives the listener the most exciting side of Cutler yet, his live performance
Stew Cutler has always known how to give the people what they want - now he can do so on his own terms.
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Stew Cutler Guitarist/ Composer: So Many Streams
by C. Michael Bailey
New York City guitarist and composer Stew Cutler began his professional career at 19-years old with ZZ Hill. The easy, downhome groove of Hill's blues stuck with the young Cutler and after time away, he carried them back to New York City, refined and polished. Cutler's musical facility was equally refined and polished. On his present recording, So Many Streams could be a functional metaphor for all of the rich tributaries informing his music. Over 10 songs, ...
read moreStew Cutler: Trio/Live
by Jerry D'Souza
Guitarist Stew Cutler is a man of ideas. He shapes them in various forms and brings in a wide range of styles. With his compositions fanning a broad base, he can indulge in the many sides his music takes from jazz and blues to avant-garde. The last shows his most adventurous side.
Cutler shows his considerable technique on this live recording from November, 2004. The trio begins with Left Behind and Mourning Dance. Both are free of structure and flow, ...
read moreThe Stew Cutler Trio At 55 Bar- 9:30pm - Sunday May 21,2006
Source:
All About Jazz
Stew Cutler - Guitarist At 55 Bar Jazz, Soul, Blues, R&B, Roots & Funk, Guitarist, Composer Stew Cutler is a New Yorker, born & raised, his personality is smooth, just like his guitar playing. No muss no fuss just Stew, always accommodating, music flows from Stew Cutler. Becoming interested in the Guitar at an early age he began playing professionally in 1973. Since then, Stew has been a sideman, Bandleader, session musician, and composer. As a sideman Cutler ...
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Guitarist Stew Cutler at Blue Mahoe NYC
Source:
All About Jazz
THE STEW CUTLER TRIO at THE BLUE MAHOE Friday, January 27, 2006 7:30pm - 11:30pm
Stew Cutler is known as a guitar player with a keen edge and tasty licks. Critics and fans alike marvel at his deft touch and clever compositions. He has often been compared to the likes of John Scofield... record label...www.fountainbleu.com
So Many Streams, Stew's latest CD, is the result of wanting to record as Stew puts it, a rootsy, ...
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Cutler travels freely around the musical globe and seems to find his way around with no problems. - JazzReview