GRANT STEWART
NEW YORK
GRANT STEWART
Saxophonist
From 2008 until 2015, Stewart has been voted a “rising star on the tenor” in the Downbeat Critic’s Poll and was the subject of a feature in the July/August 2009 issue of JazzTimes magazine. Downbeat magazine has also featured Grant in its the December 2008 issue in a piece written by noted jazz writer Ted Panken. On the international front Stewart was named one of the top 3 tenor saxophonists and as number 7 jazz artist of the year by the noted jazz magazine Swing Journal in its 2009 poll.
“What separates Stewart from so many of his peers stuck in the quicksand of hard bop nostalgia is the sheer creative spark and spontaneity of his solos. When Stewart gets hot the questions of individuality evaporate amid the in-the moment thrills of his invention.”
Mark Stryker, Detroit Free Press
Grant Stewart was born in Toronto, Canada, on June 4, 1971, and moved to New York City at the age of nineteen studying with masters such as Donald Byrd and Barry Harris. He has performed internationally with Jimmy Cobb, Harold Mabern, Louis Hayes, Curtis Fuller, Renee Fleming, Clark Terry, Bob Mover, Etta Jones, Bill Charlap, Lewis Nash, Peter Washington, Brad Mehldau, Russell Malone, Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein, Harry Connick, Mickey Roker, Jimmy Lovelace, Cecil Payne, Dick Hymen, Herb Geller and was a member of the last Al Grey Sextet.
In New York, Stewart can be found playing at such clubs as Smalls, Lincoln Center, Birdland, SMOKE, The Kitano, The Jazz Standard and many more. Stewart has performed all over North America and Europe as well as in Japan, Brazil, and Taiwan. He was also one of the first jazz artists to be invited to play at the historical Hermitage Museum in St.Petersburg, Russia. In addition Grant was a featured artist at the Guggenheim Museums’
Jazz series with his trio including drum legend Jimmy Cobb.
Stewart has released sixteen recordings as a leader, the highlights of which are his most recent release Grant Stewart Trio on Cellar Live Records and his award winning Live At Smalls (2012), released on Smalls Live Records, In the Still of the Night (2007), Young at Heart (2008), Grant Stewart Plays the Music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn (2009) and Around The Corner (2010). He also has co-led two sessions with fellow tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander on the Criss Cross label and has appeared on many other recordings as a sideman.
Here’s what just some of the critics are saying:
“Powerful in a form that combines tension and relaxation like that of Sonny Rollins and Dexter Gordon, Grant is one of the most powerful stylists and one of the most under-estimated on the scene. His sincerity, demonstrated in his straightforward, honed music, affirms completely his power of expression. He is a burning representative of that New York style which is notably found to express itself at Small’s, Mitch Borden’s club.
Working with a close-knit circle of musicians he frequents the aristocracy of jazz at the limits of the underground.” – Jazz Hot Magazine (France)
“Stewart’s clarion sound and command recall Sonny Rollins, but his chops put him on a special level. He is not an imitator, but an artist who further illuminates and even expands the domain of expression first opened by Rollins.” – Thomas Conrad, Stereophile
“Stewart’s tenor is tight, rich and played full tone, instantly enveloping you in the sheer strength of his sound….staying away from established phrases and creating a researched personal sound, he produces a fresh resounding tenor.” Swing Journal (Japan)
“Stewart is one of the most dynamic modern day interpreters of the bebop language—delivering his goods with a bold deep sound, rich melodic imagination, and flawless technique.” Zan Stewart, Newark Star Ledger
“He has such an individual sound that he never gives the impression of reciting the lessons of his models.” Jazzman Magazine (France)
Saxophonist, composer and educator Vasilis Xenopoulos is one of the most accomplished Greek jazz musicians of his generation and a genuine representative of straight ahead jazz. London became his permanent home after graduating with honors from the Berklee College of Music in Boston and gradually established himself as one of London’s up and coming jazz saxophonists. He has worked with some of the best musicians of the International Jazz Scene as a band leader, a section leader and as a guest soloist at various projects.
In 2009 he formed “The Xtet" and their debut album “Loud City" containing 8 original compositions was released on 33Jazz Records in 2011. Two years later he released his second album “The Wind Machine" under the same label, which gained some fine reviews in the top British media such as The Times and BBC radio 3.
In 2017 Nigel Price and Xenopoulos created the XPQ (Xenopoulos/Price Quartet) and recorded their first album under that brand, “Sidekicks" which celebrates some of the most successful guitar/sax pairings in the history of jazz.
The Guardian praised him recently for being one of the leading examples of European jazz musicians who live and perform in Britain and bringing his continental element to the jazz scene.
His credits also include seminars on Jazz Saxophone and Improvisation.
His last album “DEXTERITY” was released on September 1st, 2019.
V.Xenopoulos is an endorsing artist of JodyJazz Inc. USA, Rigotti Reeds S.A France.
IACOVOS PARPAS (professional saxophonist, educator)
Iacovos Parpas studied jazz music at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. His return to Cyprus found him busy in the music industry teaching and performing as a leader or sideman.
He started giving lessons of saxophone, clarinet and flute. He's been teaching the music idiom in public Schools for 13 years now and since 2017 he is a member of the faculty of the European University in Cyprus.
During his career he's been on stage with many important Greek and Cypriot musicians and participated in CD recordings, theater and TV productions.
Parpas was one of the creating members of the Cyprus Big Band. During his 20years offer in the music scene of the island Parpas has participated in many festivals and performed at the most important jazz clubs and main stages of the country.
DIMITRIS PAPADOPOULOS
Dimitris Papadopoulos is one of the most accomplished trumpeters in Greece. He graduated from the Athens Conservatory. Since 2013 he is teaching there as a member of the Jazz Department. He is a distinguished member of the Athens Big Band were he had the chance to travel and perform in many countries around the world. Dimitris also performs as a solist and gave many performances at major festivals in Greece and abroad. He is an active member of the Greek jazz scene as a leader of sideman and participated at numerous album recordings in his country.
His upcoming personal album is expected to be released in 2022.
HARRIS KAPETANAKIS
Greek saxophonist Harris Kapetanakis studied Music theory/harmony at the Aristotle University and Jazz Saxophone at the Ionian University in Greece.. Since then he is an active member of the Greek jazz scene, performing many styles mainly, funk and Latin at numerous festivals and concerts in his homeland and all over Europe either as a leader or sideman. Since 2000 he works as a saxophone educator at various music schools and conservatories and composes music for films. His first album BLUE ROADS was released in June 2020 under AVJ Productions.
