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The Heather Stewart Trio blend bluesy fiddle and traditional fingerpicking guitar with New Orleans and Delta grooves. Heather’s voice takes you back to the sounds of Bessie Smith and Memphis Minnie whilst having a modern and gutsy edge. Dan Dinnen (2009 MBAS Blues Performer of the Year) on guitar, harmonica and vocals, Danny McKenna drums and backing vocals (Jeff Lang, Dallas Frasca, Ju-Jus) join Heather on violin, banjo-mandolin and lead vocals. Recent incarnations have also featured musicians Shannon Bourne (gtr), Hugh Harvey (drums), and Andy Baylor (gtr), Ben Hendry (drums).
For their new album "Get Your Fingers Off It!" The Heather Stewart Trio won Best Debut Album and Female Artist of the Year (Heather's song: Wayward Woman) at this year's Victorian/Tasmanian Music Awards.
For more info: www.heatherstewart.com.au
www.facebook.com/heatherstewartmusic Extended Biography
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 in Europe, the UK and the USA for performance and musical experience.
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 three 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 newly released self-titled album tells a story of blending varying musical roads to create a new approach to old blues and roots sounds. Released in 2010 by Blackmarket Music.
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.
Following successful sales of their 2008 EP and public demand at performances across the country, the Heather Stewart Trio released their album "Get Your Fingers Off It!" in 2010 through Black Market Music. With "Get Your Fingers Off It!" Heather Stewart has since won Best Debut Album and Female Artist of the Year (original song: Wayward Woman) at this year's Victorian/Tasmanian Music Awards. National touring continues throughout this year, details are available on the website: www.heatherstewart.com.au
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"Early blues and jug band from a talented young violinist vocalist.
This is a refreshing new CD from Heather Stewart and her talented trio. It is a bluesy, jug band sound, but with Heather out front singing in her Bessie Smith tinged vocals it has an extra dimension to it.
This is the first 12 track album from the Trio. They have chosen to pursue a live-feel and it has given the CD an engaging vitality, a joy that is needed to succeed with jug band music. The album features a some Jug Band classics such as "Sitting on Top of the World", "Deep Blue Sea" and of course "Get Your Fingers Off It". There are a couple Of Heather's compositions and they fit right in with the style of the rest of the CD.
The Trio features Heather on violin, banjo-mandolin and vocals, plus Dan Dinnen (2009 BPOY winner) on guitar and harmonica and Danny McKenna on drums and percussion. What I liked most about this CD is Heather's vocals and violin. Female vocals and violin is not a combination you hear a lot of, and it makes a refreshing change. The vocals are strong but Heather has captured that longing that you will hear in Bessie Smith and Memphis Minnie. I love the way Heather and the boys play this music with respect, they play the up tempo numbers with real verve and the slower numbers with great feeling."
Geoff Forbes, MBAS http://www.mbas.org.au/cd-dvd-reviews.htm
"Heather Stewart was a big hit at The Juke Joint for the second year running in 2010. A classically trained vocalist and violinist, Heather found her voice in earthy, old-time blues, and what a mighty sound it is! The combination of skill and passion in her playing had the room abuzz and made a very hard act to follow for Mojo Webb and Abbe May. Heather’s is a talent that will make you re-think everything you think you know about the blues, and the festival came to a raucous climax when she was let loose in a jam; a set that was undoubtedly the highlight of the weekend." Chris Leese, Mojo Inc "MBAS is affiliated with The Blues Foundation USA, and are allowed to enter one CD in the 'Best Self Produced CD' competition. Over the past month, the Committee has had a tough job as they had to select one CD from the following entrants: Collard, Greens and Gravy, Shaun Kirk, John-Luke Shelley and High Speed Steel, Heather Stewart, Jules Boult, Jimi Hocking, Lloyd Spiegel, Black and Blue, Stevie Paige, Eddy Boyle and Mattiski. The CD that was eventually chosen was Heather Stewart's album, "Get Your Fingers Off It!". Heather's CD will now be sent to Memphis, USA, where it will be judged in the worldwide 'Best Self Produced CD' competition (as part of the International Blues Challenge) in Feb 2011." MBAS BLUESLETTER, Nov 2010 |
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