Search - Grant Stewart :: In the Still of the Night

4.5 Stars - Tenor Saxophone Jazz in the Classic Tradition

John Tapscott | Canada | 02/26/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Grant Stewart is a very impressive straight-ahead tenor saxophonist who is developing a personal sound. He plays with a large, warm sound and improvises logically though never predictably. His sound hearkens back to the classic sounds of Dexter Gordon, Johnny Griffin, Gene Ammons, and especially on this CD, the Sonny Rollins of the 1950's.



"In the Still of the Night", recorded in October 2006 is an excellent showcase for Stewart's gifts. This well recorded 60+ minute CD is modeled somewhat on the classic tenor albums of the late 50's with Stewart's tenor well up-front in the mix. The rhythm section (pianist Tardo Hammer, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Joe Farnsworth) is consistently supportive and swinging, and all three add fine solos, but the focus throughout is on Grant Stewart.



The program consists entirely of jazz standards, both well-known and obscure. The title track is played at a rapid tempo which must have left the rhythm section panting. Yet Stewart never loses melodic focus in his solo and even injects a bit of Rollins-like humor. The same is true on Monk's "Work", which, though not as rapid, still builds up a real head of steam and features Stewart's most intense and adventurous solo on the disc. It seems that Stewart enjoys blowing on up tempo frameworks, taking "Theme for Ernie" slightly faster than normal, and "If Ever I Would Leave You" way up! "Autumn in New York" begins as a ballad but shifts a couple of gears into a medium tempo groove and is one of the outstanding tracks on the CD. No Sharp Nine recording is complete without a tune by Burt Bacharach. This time it is "Wives and Lovers" which falls easily under Stewart's fingers over a lightly dancing rhythm. Once again Stewart's tone is warm and pleasing to the ear. The attractive ballad feature is "Lush Life" and the CD ends on a satisfying note with a swinging version of Richard Rodgers' "Loads of Love."



If you are looking for jazz on the cutting edge, you may want to look elsewhere, but if you value warm-toned, highly inventive and swinging tenor saxophone jazz, you will not go wrong with Grant Stewart's "In The Still of the Night."

"

Amazing !!!

Robert I. Bloom | brooklyn, ny USA | 06/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"grant stewart is amazing---- the things that make music for me are simple things---great melodies-- major swing and rhythm--simple enough-- but o so rare in its execution--unless u happen upon grant at smalls where he regularly plays ---- where it is an honor and a privilege to hear him unravel his nightly miracles-- the choices of tunes-- mostly the great american songbook---- the greatest tunes ever written as far as i am concerned----and that this genius from canada-- lucky enough to have a father who showed him where its at --and the talent to mine this limitless treasure trove ----is a gift for any w ears to listen---most players today seem to latch onto a type of music and play in that style-----i find that only the best tackle the best ---- like bird-diz rollins monk----and now grant----a student and now burgeoning master himself --playing the tunes - twisting them up- but never losing the underlying melodies and meanings inherent in them - written by the mostly jewish eastern european gods who came here and wrote the tunes that live forever in our hearts minds & souls-----grant knows all this - has absorbed it --its in his blood at this point-and u hear it in every note he plays---the quick-witted improvising--- the deep rich lush tones-- as mitch borden of smalls says the utter respect he has for his instrument and his gifts----u will never hear grant just blow his horn for the sake of it-- it is always in service to something bigger & greater than mere showing off--- grant's continued dedication to this great music and his playing----is a gift to us all who have been transported anew by his impeccable care taste & talent ----its all here on this disc---listen to his lush life for example----sheer caviar and champagne !!!!! i cant say enough aBOUT THIS GRANT STEWART----I THANK GOD I CAN HEAR HIM regularly with his current line-up-brother phil who himself is nothing short of astonishing on drums and usually joe cohn another outright genius -on guitar- and the impeccable swinging & masterful bass player named joel forbes --these guys together are not to be missed ! & play REGULARLY AT SMALLS nyc and on his cds----which just keep getting better and better--his sessions are showcases for real gems---for me-- he is new york at its greatest because he captures the best of the best --delivers it w out fail and makes me glad to be alive at a time that tries men`s souls -grant and his merry band of cohorts soothe the soul of this savage beast quite rightly indeed !!!!!---eternally grateful to hear grant play---- and to mitch borden-- who thru smalls has provided a showcase for over ten years now-- where talent like grant's can be honed --grow and evolve--- blessings on you both !!!!"