Jesse Stewart
Able Artists 2014
Jesse Stewart is an award-winning percussionist, composer, improviser, artist, instrument builder, educator, and writer. A dynamic and inventive performer, Stewart has a remarkable ability to coax unexpected—even magical—sounds out of virtually any resonating object or material. He has performed with many internationally acclaimed musicians including George Lewis, Roswell Rudd, Bill Dixon, William Parker, Evan Parker, Joe Mcphee, Michael Snow, and many others. He is currently a member of the David Mott Quintet and Tallboys, a trio featuring virtuoso musicians Kevin Breit on guitar and Matt Brubeck on cello. He also leads his own groups and performs regularly as a soloist at festivals across the country and has made numerous compact disc recordings.
Stewart led our artists with disabilities through a collaborative music making session. Then, in the afternoon, we invited community music leaders and educators, students, musicians, advocates, and social service professionals to attend to learn more about Stewart’s inclusive music-making process, to discover cutting-edge music technologies including the “reactable” (an electronic musical instrument with a tangible user interface on an illuminated table top), and to briefly experience some of the results of the collaboration with our artists.