World Stars at Budapest Jazz Club: Bill Stewart Trio

Bill Stewart is perfectionist yet soulful playing style has inspired and inspires generations of jazz drummers to this day, elevating dozens of jazz records to the highest level, while providing a magical experience with a 100 percent live presence at any given moment, regardless of current band style. Taste, a sense of style and musicality permeate every beat, elevating the drum kit to a full-fledged melodic instrument. It’s no coincidence that he regularly chose John Scofield and Pat Metheny as his partners, and his diversity is evidenced by his excellence alongside Maceo Parker, Lonnie Smith, Michal Brecker and Nicholas Payton. In addition to his polyrhythmic, melodic, storytelling drumming, he is one of the greatest masters of decoupling, so in addition to the hand-played snare, tamks and cymbals, the foot drum and the foot cymbal also play an equally important role in his playing. His solos are also unique, and because of his sound and inexhaustible creativity, they can be easily recognized from even a few beats. In addition to his orchestral contributions to more than a hundred albums, his commitment to jazz music is evidenced by his collection of vinyl records on a thousand scales that hide rarities. Bill Stewart himself admits that due to his diverse impressions at the beginning of his musical career and his openness to different styles, he was able to create a completely unique, own voice early in his career.

 

As a bandleader, he released his first album in 1990, Think Before You Think, followed by ten more albums until his latest album, Band Menu, released in 2018. At the concert of his band running under his own name, he selects from his previous compositions, mainly on his latest album, the breathtaking sound of which is guaranteed by two world-class musicians who also contribute to the record in the person of bassist Larry Grenadier and saxophonist Walter Smith.

 

Bill Stewart – drums, Larry Grenadier – bass, Walter Smith – saxophone