About Stewart Burr
Having played for over 25 years, it is safe to say that Stewart is at home behind the drums. A Bay Area native, Stewart started playing the local club scene in his teens. Thereafter he studied percussion at Cal. St. Northridge under the direction of Prof. Joel Leach and studio ace Steve Houghton, and Gary Novak. Stewart then transferred to Sonoma St. Univ. and focused on a degree in Jazz Studies. While at Sonoma St. Stewart received numerous awards, including three Evertt B. Person performance scholarships (1994, 995 & 1996), and an Outstanding Musicianship award at the 1996 Berkeley Collegiate Jazz Festival.
In addition to studying Jazz, Stewart continued to work in the San Francisco music scene playing a variety of styles including pop, blues, rock, funk, R&B, soul, Latin, big band, rockabilly, country, and jazz. His big break came when he got the gig with legendary jazz pianist Bob Lucas. Bob mentored Stewart in the fundamentals of cooking in a jazz combo setting, as well as giving him the opportunity to play with world class jazz musicians.
Soon after earning his degree in Jazz Studies, Stewart landed the gig with blues harmonica virtuoso Red Archibald and the Internationals. Playing 300 dates a year, touring internationally, and recording Red’s third CD gave Stewart invaluable experience.
In 1999 Stewart moved to New York City where after a year of club and session work, he auditioned and got the gig with the legendary Chubby Checker. Touring all over the USA, the band played all of Chubby’s long-standing hits for enthusiastic fans. In Fall 2001 Stewart relocated back to the Bay Area and immediately got back into the Bay area music scene playing clubs dates, casuals, tours, and recording sessions.
In 2004 Stewart landed the drum chair with famed Americana popsmith Chuck Prophet and embarked on a 7 month international tour. Right after coming off the road with Chuck Stewart joined the Shane Dwight band and toured nationally with Shane for a year and a half. Since 2005 Stewart has kept a busy schedule performing and recording 4 to 7 days a week with various artist throughout the Bay Area including Spinout, Pasquela Esposito, Ajà vu, Earl Thomas, Lara Price, Chris Bell, Big Delta, Lost October, Jinx Jones, Frankie G and the Conviction, and many other artists.Stewart is also a drum instructor with 13 years of teaching experience
