Rory Stuart Trio (NYC/NZ)

New York-based jazz guitarist and composer Rory Stuart will bring a performance of original music to 03 Sessions on May 7th, joined by Jono Blackie and Luke Belcher. Described by JAZZ TIMES as “Perhaps THE most innovative straight-ahead jazz guitarist to emerge in years,” this will be Rory's first performance in Christchurch.

Named as one of the greatest living jazz guitarists (in The Great Jazz Guitarists by Scott Yanow), Rory Stuart is a critically acclaimed jazz guitarist and composer based in New York. As a leader, he has CDs that have received 4 stars in DOWNBEAT, and been voted 10 best of the year in CODA and CADENCE. He has performed around the world, including Switzerland, South Korea, Sweden, Argentina, Singapore, Canada, Greece, India, Brazil, Italy, Bahamas, Israel, Portugal, Chile, Austria, Iceland, Columbia, Czech Republic, Spain, Denmark, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Germany, Poland, and across the United States.

As a sideman, he played with quite diverse legendary musicians, from touring with organists Brother Jack McDuff and Bill Doggett to performing with Charlie Rouse (Thelonious Monk's saxophonist), to being an early contributor to the MBASE movement, playing in Europe in Steve Coleman's band with Geri Allen and Cassandra Wilson. He performed with guitarist Larry Coryell, renowned Brazilian bassist Sizao Machado, vocalist Sheila Jordan, his former students Becca Stevens and Robert Glasper, and as a leader or co-leader with saxophonists George Garzone, Billy Harper, and Glenn Wilson.

He is also a renowned educator, a list of whose former students reads like a "Who's Who of rising young jazz stars" ("Rory’s method is genius and has taken so many young people to a new level that he has influenced a whole generation of jazz!” -Rachel Z). He received the first joint Greece-Iceland Fulbright Award, has taught around the world including directing jazz workshops in Singapore, Italy, and Korea, and is author of the definitive 6-volume book series on rhythm (therhythmbooks.com).

Rory's latest recordings, being prepared for release, include John Ellis, Jason Palmer, Micah Thomas, Jaromir Honzak, Obed Calvaire, Helen Sung, Eric Wheeler, Colin Stranahan, Marc Copland, Matt Penman, and Kweku Sumbry.