Entertainment and the Arts
Louis Stewart plays Castlebar
1, Oct 2009 - 11:25

The Legend that is: Louis Stewart, plays Castlebar.

For lovers of Jazz and Blues who cannot make the Cork Jazz Festival this year, or would like to whet the appetite before heading south, Jabacc (Jazz and Blues Appreciation Club, Castlebar), in association with Days Hotel and the Royal Theatre, are hosting the legend that is, Louis Stewart, on Friday 16th October 2009 in an intimate setting at Days Hotel.

Profit from the night will go towards funding music workshops for younger fans, during the Castlebar Blues Festival. This summer, vocal, guitar and drum workshops were held for 12 – 18yr olds, and it is the intention of JABACC to build on the success of these.

Louis will be joined by three very accomplished musicians: Michael Coady – Bass, Jim Hart – vibraphone and Stephen Keogh - Drums.

Louis Stewart began his musical career in the sixties as a member of the Dublin jazz scene. In 1968 he received an invitation to the Montreux Jazz Festival together with the Jim Doherty Quartet. He received an award for 'Outstanding European Soloist of the Festival'. The following year he won the 'Grand Prix de la Radio Suisse Romande'. He turned down a scholarship from the Berklee School of Music, Boston, because at the time he was with the Tubby Hayes' Quartet and Big Band and had been engaged by Benny Goodman for three European tours.

In the 1970s Louis was a member of the Ronnie Scott Quartet in London. During this period he also cut albums with Sam Jones and Billy Higgins as well as other musicians from the London scene.

His excellent guitar playing with Scott's quartet, on his solo and duo albums in the 70's and 80's, and on recordings with George Shearing, Clark Terry, Martin Taylor, Heiner Franz and others in recent years, has earned him a well-deserved reputation as one of the world's foremost jazz guitarists.

A brilliant sound allied to a crystal-clear tone has helped to make Stewart one of the outstanding guitarists in history of jazz. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by Trinity College Dublin in 1998.

Press Quotes
”Extraordinary high levels of focused, deep, creative playing... he must be considered one of the instruments' world class players.” – Downbeat Magazine

Doors 8pm, show 8.30pm. Tickets e15 from:

Downtown Records, Castlebar & Westport, Days Hotel reception, Royal Hotel & Theatre reception.

If you would like to become a member of JABACC, talk to Werner Lewon or Declan Durcan, or visit www.jabacc.com

Basement Jazz at it's best, Friday 16th October, Day's, Castlebar.

© Copyright 2009 by Castlebar - County Mayo -