Jamie Stewardson - Jhaptal (2003)

Guitarist Jamie Stewardson launched his performing career with a stint aboard a cruise ship, working with assorted pop artists, including The O'Jays, The Temptations, Martha Reeves, Patti Page, Kay Starr and The Drifters. Finished with the pop music business he immersed himself in jazz, eventually playing with such notables as George Russell, Jimmy Guiffre, John Stowell, Matt Maneri, George Schuller and Tony Malaby. Jamie Stewardson is currently a member of the faculty at the New England Conservatory Preparatory School. He also plays guitar and bass with The David Zoffer Differential, performs with his own groups, and cites the influences of Geri Allen, Dave Holland and Maria Schneider in his jazz composition efforts.
The players on "Jhaptal" include some of the best jazz musicians on the East Coast: Tony MalabyAlexei Tsiganov, John Hebert and George Schuller. It's easy to hear why they were attracted to Stewardson's writing. He clearly relishes a creative challenge and developping a personal approach. His pieces draw on wide interests and experiences in subtle and surprising ways. Mahavishnu's "Vision of the Emerald Beyond", Gustav Malher's "Kindertotenlieder", Arnold Schoenberg's dodecaphonics, Ornette Coleman's harmolodics, and music of the Indian subcontinent, all echo within the music.

Tony Malaby (ts)
Alexei Tsiganov (vib)
Jamie Stewardson (g)
John Hebert (b)
George Schuller (d)