Jazz breaking news: Alexander Stewart To Release Debut Album
Thursday, July 7, 2011
The debut album of young jazz vocalist Alexander Stewart All Or Nothing At All is to be released in September, it has been confirmed by his management.
The recording follows Stewart’s successful appearances on the UK jazz scene recently.
Stewart, whose talents have been likened to Harry Connick Jr. and Kurt Elling, has impressed with his energy and potential, and his debut album is sure to go down well. It features a stellar band of bassist Gary Crosby OBE, saxophonist Nathaniel Facey (of MOBO-winning group Empirical), trumpeter Freddie Gavita and drummer Andy Chapman. Pianist, arranger and musical director Alex Webb has contributed the original track ‘The Hard Way’ featuring a guest appearance by Blue Note recording artist China Moses.
Stewart has done a lot to establish himself in a short time, performing and captivating audiences at some prestigious venues and events, not least Ronnie Scott’s. He also appeared at the London Jazz Festival, in a show based upon the life of Duke Ellington’s musical partner Billy Strayhorn. Other performances include London jazz club Hideaway, the late night jazz series at the Royal Albert Hall's Elgar Room, and a concert from the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, where he performed with Buddy Greco and Curtis Stigers and which was broadcast live by BBC Radio 2.
Born in Manchester, and just 23, Stewart has named Billie Holiday and Tony Bennett as two of his musical influences. He has always listened to a broad spectrum of musical genres and artists, and says that this has helped him to be original and develop his own sound. Wide-ranging influences combine with clever arrangements and high energy to ensure that Stewart’s re-arranged standards, re-interpreted pop songs and excellent originals are met with praise. All Or Nothing At All serves to emphasise this and its tracks include Blondie (‘Call Me’), The Smiths (‘Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want’) and Paul Simon (‘Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover’). Stewart also pays tribute to Sinatra (‘Too Marvellous For Words’) and Ellington (‘Jump For Joy’).
Catch Alexander Stewart launching his album with a live show at the Pizza Express Jazz Club on Monday 12 September.
-– Louise Jones