Stew Cutler

STEW CUTLER - GUITARIST, COMPOSER, PROUCER / ARRANGER, EDUCATOR

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.