Heather Stewart - Biography

The trio’s sound mixes Oldtimey fiddle Blues with country, Cajun and swamp grooves topped with soaring vocals reminiscent of Bessie Smith and Memphis Minnie. Oldtime country blues, rocking swamp beats & heart-wrenching ballads Heather Stewart is a rare breed of musician. She has a huge voice, is an immensely talented violinist and writes much of her own music. From a farm in Southern NSW, Heather moved to Melbourne to pursue her dream of becoming a musician. She has completed Bachelor, Graduate Diploma and Masters in violin and voice and has travelled extensively and performed in Europe, the USA and the UK. Inspired by local musicians Andy and Peter Baylor and internationals Alvin Youngblood Heart and Corey Harris, Heather combined like-minded, talented musicians Danny McKenna (Jeff Lang) and Dan Dinnen (MBAS Blues Performer of the Year 2009) to create the impressive Heather Stewart Trio. The Heather Stewart Trio have been performing together for over two years and built up a steady following in that time. Delving into the Blues, country blues, American folk styles and writing original compositions, the trio have pushed each other's musical limits to really find their own sound. Their debut album "Get Your Fingers Off It!" tells a story of blending varying musical roads to create a new approach to old blues and roots sounds. It was released in 2010 with Blackmarket Music and has won "MBAS Best Self Produced Album" 2010, and VIC/TAS 2011 Best Debut Album and Heather won Best Female Artist for her original song "Wayward Woman". The Trio blend oldtimey fiddle and traditional guitar fingerpicking with blues swamp, country and cajun grooves. Heather’s voice takes the audience back to the days of expressive blues divas Bessie Smith and Memphis Minnie simultaneously sounding modern and entirely her own. Recent performances include Wangaratta Jazz & Blues Festival, "Live At Lefties" Whyalla, 2011 SA Tour, Juke Joint Festival SA Headliner, Broadbeach Blues, Thornbury Theatre, Wesley Anne, MBAS Blues Cruise, The Bluestrain, The Drunken Poet, Bridge Hotel Richmond, The Lomond, The Gem, Edinburgh Castle, Café 303, Young and Jacksons. Heather also featured with Jimi Hocking’s Blue Mandolin Band at the 2008 Port Fairy Folk Festival and with huge success as a double act at the Broadbeach Blues Festival in 08 and 09. Following successful sales of their 2008 EP and public demand at performances across the country, the Heather Stewart Trio will release their first full album in 2010 through Black Market Music. Launch and national touring details will soon be available on this website. For further information/bookings: info@heatherstewart.com.au www.facebook.com/heatherstewartmusic "Oldtime country blues, rocking swamp beats & heart-wrenching ballads"

Heather has a Bachelor of Music (first class hons) from University of Melbourne, Post Graduate Diploma from Victorian College of the Arts and a Masters of Arts from Monash University in violin and voice performance and string pedagogy. She has travelled and performed around Australia, in Europe, USA and throughout the UK. Following her studies, Heather spent time working as a freelance classical violinist and vocalist in London whilst pursuing her passion for Jazz and Blues. She performs a wide range of repertoire and regularly appears with a variety of bands as a sessional vocalist and/or violinist. Heather’s blues band the Heather Stewart Trio includes local Melbourne stars Danny McKenna (Jeff Lang, Dallas Frasca, Unified Gecko) and Dan Dinnen (Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society 2009 winner of Blues Performer of the Year). Their successful 2007 EP was followed by their debut album “Get Your Fingers Off It”. This album won MBAS 2010 Best Self Produced Album. Recent bands Heather has performed with include Shpongle reknowned UK Psy-Trance band; violist in Aussie Rock band Friendly Yen; John Scurry's Reverse Swing, duelling fiddle duo with Cajun and Blues specialist Andy Baylor; Virus featuring Heather Stewart; Alanna & Alicia Egan; Dan Dinnen & Heather Stewart Duo; vocalist & violinist for Leigh Barker and the New Sheiks whose self titled debut album recently won the 2010 Bell Award for best Traditional Jazz Album. Heather has also performed with Jimi Hocking, Fiona Boyes, Geoff Achison, Lloyd Spiegel, Peter Baylor, Eugene Ball, Paul Williamson, Eamon McNellis, Flap. One of Heather's tours this year included Adelaide and Whyalla (SA) in August with Blues guitar sensation Shannon Bourne. This tour was a huge success and demand for her debut album has meant it's second pressing time!! In October and November this year, Heather tours nationally with Leigh Barker & The New Sheiks following the release of their new Bell Award winning album "The New Sheiks". Discography 2004 - “A Sense of Wonder” by Laurie Lewis Quintet with Heather Stewart 2004 - Tim Shawcross 2007 - “Farren” album, composed, arranged & produced by Heather Stewart 2008 - Heather Stewart Trio, self titled EP 2009 - “Back Home” Dan Dinnen 2010 - “Get Your Fingers Off It” debut Heather Stewart Trio album (MBAS Best Self Produced Album 2010, VIC/TAS Best Debut Album and Best Female Artist 2011) 2010 - Leigh Barker and The New Sheiks (Australian Bell Award for Best Traditional Album 2011) 2011 - Friendly Yen 2011 - Damn Fine Gentlemen