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Rory Stuart

Rory Stuart is an innovative jazz guitarist and composer, with a mature modern style. He's been critically acclaimed as one of the foremost young musicians of the decade. Stuart has a healthy respect for the jazz tradition. Largely self-taught, he's benefited from an ongoing exchange of musical ideas with his long-time friend Tuck Andress, and studied briefly but intensively with excellent "guitarist's guitarist" Dave Creamer. He cites John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Wayne Shorter as influences; yet his style is uniquely his own. Described in JAZZ TIMES as "perhaps THE most innovative straight-ahead jazz guitarist to emerge in years," his two previous recordings as leader of a quartet have both received 4 star reviews in DOWNBEAT and been voted in the 10 best of the year in CODA. His co-led dates include one with the Cadence All-Stars (Timeless 284), one with avant-garde Brazilian saxophonist Ivo Perelman (CIMP 134), and a duo CD with Glenn Wilson (Sunnyside SSC 1057D), his playing/compositions are also featured on a date with Glenn Wilson's Quintet with Marc Copland (SSC 1074D). His new release (2008), “So Rise Up,” (SmartCat 1001) features saxophonist Mark Shim, bassist Matt Penman, and drummer Ari Hoenig. He's twice been voted onto the TDWR in the guitar category on the Downbeat International Critic's Poll. In 2008, Rory performed in Kazakhstan and will perform in South Korea, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Italy. In 2007, Rory performed in Italy, the Bahamas, Iceland, and South Korea; he led a group that played to sold-out audiences in NY with guests George Garzone and Jaleel Shaw. In 2005-2006 Rory performed in Bassano del Grappa, Italy with Billy Harper, Cecil Bridgewater, John Riley, Andy McKee, and Sheila Jordan, in a Quartet he led in Switzerland with the Colin Vallon Trio, and in a group he led in New York with Reggie Workman and Billy Harper. He wrote new music for a concert in New York he led, joined by Cuban drummer Dafnis Prieto and his former students Robert Glasper, Matt Penman, John Ellis, Jean Rohe and Becca Stevens. He recorded with Swedish vocalist Sophie Duner and performed with Jeanie Bryson. He performed with his own Quartet " he has led a quartet since 1982, his first Quartet through the 1980’s including Keith Copeland, Anthony Cox or Calvin Hill, and Armen Donelian. In 2004, he recorded with a Quartet with bassist Brandon Owens, saxophonist John Ellis, and percussionist Dan Weiss.

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186
Album Review

Rory Stuart Quartet: So Rise Up

Read "So Rise Up" reviewed by Mark F. Turner


So Rise Up showcases New York guitarist, Rory Stuart, leading his quartet through original compositions that are simultaneously engrossing and technically sophisticated. Stuart is no novice, with a number of recordings as a leader--his first was Nightwork (Cadence, 1982)--and plenty of previous exposure, with artists from the renowned saxophonist Charlie Rouse and B3 organ guru Dr. Lonnie Smith to up and coming saxophonist John Ellis and drummer Dan Weiss. This release features Stuart's working quartet of the ...

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122

Performance / Tour

Rory Stuart Quartet at Cornelia St. Saturday March 12 Sets at 8:30 PM and 10:30 PM

Rory Stuart Quartet at Cornelia St. Saturday March 12 Sets at 8:30 PM and 10:30 PM

Source: All About Jazz

March 12, 2005 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Press Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected] Cornelia Street Cafe 29 Cornelia Street Greenwich Village, NY 10014 Tel: 212-989-9319 Fax: 212-243-4207 Web: corneliastreetcafe.com “a culinary as well as a cultural landmark" Mayoral Proclamation, City of New York 1987 the Rory Stuart Quartet will perform at Cornelia Street Café Saturday, March 12, 2005 Sets at 8:30 PM and 10:30 PM Admission: $10 The group will feature: Mark Shim – saxophone Chris Tordini – acoustic ...

"Rory Stuart is an exciting young player who absorbed the legacy of Lester Young and who's kept an ear open to John Coltrane." -Downbeat

"One of the best young players in town." -Village Voice

"Rory Stuart plays clean, carefully developed lines that never allow heat to submerge continuity." -Boston Phoenix

"A promising young guitarist swings mightily backed by an outstanding rhythm section." -Billboard

"... a young guitarist with a bristling tone and an intelligent approach to harmony.." -Philadelphia Inquirer

"One of the most exciting bebop-oriented guitarists to emerge in recent memory ...embracing the daring, innovation, purity, and freedom associated with the work of legends such as John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis." -Guitar Player Magazine

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Primary Instrument

Guitar

Credentials/Background

New School University Department of Jazz and Contemporary Music: teach Advanced Rhythm classes, lead the rhythm curriculum.

Clinic/Workshop Information

2005-2008 Veneto Jazz (Bassano Italy) 2008 Kazakhstan (Astana and Almaty) 2007, 2001 IAJE clinics at annual convention 2007-2008 Korea Jazz Festival and Workshop also clinics at JazzNights/Langnau (Switzerland), Jazz Outreach (Austria), Berkelee College of Music, across the USA, etc...

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

So Rise Up

Smart Cat Music
2008

buy

The Rain in Spain

CIMP Records
2007

buy

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