Farwell to the godfather of Irish modern jazz on the international stage. Briefly a member of Tubby Hayes’ Quartet in the 60s, then a long-time accompanist of Ronnie Scott. I only saw him perform once, at Bookshop Dave’s in Belfast, but he was a master – and a gentle soul with it.
http://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2016/0820/810697-irish-jazz-musician-louis-stewart/
I’m not at all familiar with him but he sounded pretty good on that clip.
Another sad loss.
I raised a smile at thias quote from the Irish Times obit:
‘His oldest friend and musical partner, pianist Jim Doherty, who has the distinction of playing on Stewart’s first and last public performances – separated by some 56 years – told The Irish Times how a fan once asked him if it was true that Louis Stewart was one of the three best guitarists in the world. “Well”, replied Doherty, “the other two certainly think so”.’
Ah, saw him many times during my student days, Thursday residency at Whelan’s I think. Great representative of the Kessell/Burrell school of classic jazz guitar and brilliantly melodic. A sad loss.