Louis Stewart
b. 5 January 1944, Waterford, Ireland. After playing guitar in a succession of show bands, Stewart began playing jazz in the early '60s. By the end of the decade he had achieved a substantial reputation and had worked with such leading jazzmen as Tubby Hayes and Benny Goodman. Throughout the '70s he continued to enhance his standing in both the UK and the USA, recording with Peter Ind and others. He also toured Europe, attracting considerable attention everywhere he played. In the '80s his reputation grew apace, despite his preference for spending a substantial part of his time in his homeland, and he made well-received albums with Martin Taylor, Brian Dunning, Spike Robinson and others. A brilliant sound allied to a crystal-clear tone has helped make Stewart one of the outstanding guitarists in jazz. A virtuoso technique allows him to realize fully his endless inventiveness.