Louis Stewart...
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Louis Stewart...
Guitar player Louis Stewart was born in Waterford, Ireland in January, 1944 and having learned to play piano as a child he switched to guitar at the age of fifteen. He played with a number of show bands in Ireland and in 1961 toured the US with piano player Jim Doherty's group. He also won an individual award at the Montreux Jazz Festival.
In 1968 he moved to London to work with Tubby Hayes in his quartet and big band until 1969 when he made the first of three European tours with Benny Goodman. From early 1970 he made Dublin in Ireland his base before returning in 1975 to work with Ronnie Scott.
He worked regularly with Ronnie Scott until 1978 before he began a long musical association with George Shearing that included extensive touring, including South America. He then became a very successful international freelance, using Dublin as his base, working in Australia, US, Scandinavia and elsewhere.
During the 1980s and '90s he led his own groups in Britain and at many international festivals, working with George Shearing again in 1995. He worked through the 2000s playing solo dates, guesting with top groups and other freelance work. He has recorded regularly although a number of his albums recorded outside of Britain are not currently available.
He died on August 21st, 2016.
Session below issued by Gearbox Records as a vinyl record on August 15th, 2015, number GB1532. Described as Volume 1 so there may be others to follow...
Tubby Hayes Quartet - December 5th, 1968 (The Syndicate - Live at the Hopbine 1968)
Tubby Hayes (ts), Louis Stewart (g), Kenny Baldock (b), Spike Wells (d).
titles unknown.

The Tubby Hayes Big Band - Live at The Torrington Arms, London, May 8th, 1969 (Rumpus - Savage Solweig SS003)
Greg Bowen, Ian Hamer, Les Condon, Kenny Wheeler (tp), Keith Christie, David Horler, Bill Geldard (tb), Peter King (as), Tubby Hayes, Brian Smith (ts), Harry Klein (bs), Louis Stewart (g), Ron Mathewson (b), Spike Wells (d).
Song For A Sad Lady*/Dear Johnny B*/March Brown*/Rumpus*/You Know I Care*/Seven Steps To Heaven*/The Inner Splurge*.
("Savage Solweig CD - The Tubby Hayes Big Band - Rumpus)

This recording was not released until July, 2019 as part of a 2cd set. Stewart does not play on any other titles in the set...
Tubby Hayes Quartet - May 24th, 1969 (Fontana)
Tubby Hayes (ts), Louis Stewart (g), Ron Mathewson (b), Spike Wells (d).
Where Am I Going (3 takes).
(Fontana 2CD set - The Tubby Hayes Quartet - Grits, Beans and Greens - The Lost Fontana Studio Sessions 1969)

Tubby Hayes and his Orchestra - July 25th, 1969 (BBC broadcast)
Greg Bowen, Ian Hamer, Les Condon, Kenny Wheeler (tp), David Horler, Bill Geldard, Chris Pyne (tb), Peter King, Alan Branscombe (as), Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Scott (ts), Harry Klein (bs), Mike Pyne (p), Louis Stewart (g), Ron Mathewson (b), Spike Wells (d).
The Inner Splurge*.
Jeff Clyne (b), Tony Levin (d) added, rest the same.
200 Percent Proof*.
Ian Hamer, Les Condon (tp), Kenny Wheeler (flhorn), David Horler (tb), Peter King (as), Alan Branscombe (p), Louis Stewart (g), Jeff Clyne (b), Spike Wells (d), Tubby Hayes (ldr).
Octuple Blast*.
(*Master Mix CD - 200% Proof)

Tubby Hayes Big Band - BBC broadcast live from Ronnie Scott's, London August 24th, 1969 (IAJRC50)
Ian Hamer, Kenny Wheeler, Greg Bowen, Hank Shaw (tp), Keith Christie, David Horler, Bill Geldard (tb), Peter King (as), Tubby Hayes, Brian Smith, Alan Skidmore (ts), Harry Klein (bs), Mike Pyne (p), Louis Stewart (g), Ron Mathewson (b), Spike Wells (d).
A Song For A Sad Lady*/You Know I Care*.
(*IAJRC CD - Tubby Hayes: England's Late Jazz Great)

Louis Stewart / Peter Ind - September 11th and 12th, 1975 (Baubles, bangles and beads - Wave LP12)
Louis Stewart (g), Peter Ind (b).
Body And Soul*/Everything Happens to Me*/Free For Two*/Baubles, Bangles And Beads*/Loverman*/Gone With The Wind*/Autumn Leaves*/Angel Eyes*.
(*Wave CD - Beyond baubles, bangles and beads)

September, 1975 - Hawk Jazz SHALP147 recorded in Ireland. The album was titled Louis The First and the group personnel was Louis Stewart (el-g), Martin Walshe (b), John Wadham (d). The album was not released on a UK label.

Tony Kinsey Big Band - March 17, 1976 (Thames suite - Spotlite SPJ504)
Tony Fisher, Les Condon, Hank Shaw (tp), Keith Christie, Dave Horler, Bill Geldard, Maurice Pratt (tb), Ronnie Chamberlain (sop,as), Peter King (as), Jimmy Hastings, Duncan Lamont (ts), Ronnie Ross (bs), Pat Smythe (el-p), Louis Stewart (g), Lennie Bush (b), Tony Kinsey (d).
Hard Times*/Cookham Bridge*/Beachey Head*/Good Friday*.
(*Spotlite CD - Tony Kinsey: Thames Suite)

Louis Stewart - solo November, 1976 and January, 1977 - Livia LRLP-1 recorded in Ireland. The album was titled Out On His Own and comprised sixteen solo tracks, some with an accompanying track. The album was not released on a UK label. A cd was later issued on the German Jardis label and in February 2023 it was re-issued as a CD on the Irish Livia Records label. The 2023 release contains three extre tracks.
Blue Bossa/Windows/Darn That Dream/Wave/She Moved Through The Fair/Make Someone Happy/I'm All Smiles/Stella By Starlight/Lazy Afternoon/Invitation/I'm Old Fashioned/General Mojos Well Laid Plan/What's New/I'll Remember April/Spring Is Here/Blues/Forest Flower/What's New - alt take/Spring Is Here - alt take.
(Livia Records CD - Louis Stewart - Out On His Own)

Ronnie Scott Quintet - October 18th, 1977 (Serious Gold - Pye NSPL 18542)
Ronnie Scott (ts,sop), John Taylor (keyb), Louis Stewart (g), Ron Mathewson (b), Martin Drew (d).
Invitation/Lazy Afternoon/Forty Colours/Hey-Oke Suite Ballad/Send In The Clowns/Interfusion.

Louis Stewart Quintet - December 21st and 23rd, 1977 and January 2nd, 1978 (Milesian source - Pye NSPL 18555)
Geoff Castle, Martin Blackwell (keyboards), Louis Stewart (g,keyboards,synth), Ron Mathewson (b,el-b), Martin Drew (d,perc). (There is an unidentified soprano sax in the ensemble of Araby).
Araby/Eveline/A Little Cloud/Two Gallants/Bolivian Tango/Pavane/Con Alma.

August 15th, 1979 - Livia LRLP5 recorded live in Dublin, Ireland at the "Peacock Theatre". The album was titled Alone together and the group personnel was Louis Stewart (g), Brian Dunning (fl). The album was not released on a UK label.

Louis Stewart Quartet - mid 1979 (I thought about you - Lee Lambert LAM103)
John Taylor (p), Louis Stewart (g), Sam Jones (b), Billy Higgins (d).
I Thought About You/Litha/Smiling Billy/Unit 7/November Girl/Straight No Chaser.

July, 1985 - Livia LRLP7 recorded in Ireland. The album was titled Accoustic guitar duets and comprised ten accoustic guitar duets with Martin Taylor. The album was not released on a UK label. A cd was later issued on the German Jardis label

May, 1986 - Villa VRLP001 recorded in Oslo, Norway. The album was titled Good news and comprised nine tracks by Louis Stewart & 4Sure, a Norwegian group. The album was not released on a UK label.

August, 1988 and February, 1990 - Villa VRCD003 recorded in Oslo, Norway. The album was titled String-time and comprised ten tracks by Louis Stewart and bass player Terje Venaas. The album was not released on a UK label.

Spike Robinson / Louis Stewart / Janusz Carmello - July 15th, 1989 (Three for the road - Hep 2045)
Spike Robinson (ts), Janusz Carmello (pocket tpt - 1), Louis Stewart (g), Pete Morgan (b), Mark Taylor (d).
They Didn't Believe Me*/Only A Rose*/Dearly Beloved (1)*/The Song Is You (1)*/They Say That Falling In Love Is Wonderful*/If You Were Mine*/My Buddy*/Yes Sir, That's My Baby*/For Heavens Sake*.
(*Hep CD - Three for the road)

The record below was recorded in Germany with a German group but is currently available in the UK (2010)...
Louis Stewart / Heiner Franz - Spiesen, Germany, 1990 (Winter song - Jardis JRLP9005)
Louis Stewart, Heiner Franz (g), Fritz Heieck (b), Thilo Berg (d).
Almost A Simple Blues*/Like Someone In Love*/Winter Song*/I Should Care*/Bluesette*/Just In Time*/Joy Spring*/Chelsea Bridge*.
(*Jardis CD - Winter song)

October 26th, 1991 - Capri 74043 recorded in Ireland. The album was titled A real corker and the group personnel was Spike Robinson (ts), Louis Stewart (g), Red Mitchell (b), Martin Drew (d).
(Capri CD - A real corker)

The record below was recorded in Germany but is currently available in the UK (2010)...
Louis Stewart / Heiner Franz - Spiesen, Germany, 1992 (In a mellow tone - Jardis JRCD9206)
Louis Stewart, Heiner Franz (g).
In A Mellow Tone*/Jive Hoot*/Blue Daniel*/Just Squeeze Me*/Nica's Dream*/The More I See You*/Star Eyes*/There'll Never Be Another You*/As Long As I Live*/In A Sentimental Mood*/Triste*.
(*Jardis CD - In a mellow tone )

September 5th, 1992 - Villa VRCD004 recorded in Sandvika, Norway. The album was titled Joycenotes and comprised tracks by a nine piece group directed by Louis Stewart who also played guitar. The album was not released on a UK label.

Louis Stewart Trio - recorded in "Tron Jazz Cellar", Edinburgh February 19th, 1993 (Overdrive - HepCD2057)
Louis Stewart (g), Ronnie Rae (b), Tony McLennan (d).
All The Things You Are*/Lady Be Good*/Polka Dots And Moonbeams*/Oleo*/Yesterdays*/Stompin' At The Savoy*/Body & Soul*/Walkin'*/My Shining Hour*.
(*Hep CD - Overdrive)

Spike Robinson Quartet with Louis Stewart - 1998 (The CTS Session - HepCD2087)
Spike Robinson (ts), John Williams (p), Bill Crow (b), Pete Cater (d), Louis Stewart playing accoustic guitar is featured on titles marked#.
You Say You Care*/Smoke Gets In Your Eyes*/Waterjug*/Summer Night*/If She Walked Into My Life*/The Best Thing For Me*#/Potluck*#/Nobody Else But You*/Blue Zoot*#/Soon It's Gonna Rain*/People Will Say We're In Love*#.
(*Hep CD - The CTS Session)

Louis Stewart / Heiner Franz Quartet - Germany, 1999 (I wished on the moon)
Louis Stewart, Heiner Franz (g), John Goldsby (?), Oliver Strauch (?).
(Titles not known).
(*Jardis CD - I wished on the moon)

Details of an Irish release provided by Paul Crosbie
Louis Stewart / Jim Doherty - 2013 (Tunes - Beechpark Records)
Louis Stewart (g), Jim Doherty (p).
(Titles not known).
(Beechpark Records CD - Tunes)


This page was last updated during March, 2023.
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