Born in New Zealand in 1972, Mike began studying clarinet and piano before the age of 10. At 17 he was drawn to the sounds of Charlie Parker and Dexter Gordon and began playing his father's old alto saxophone. Within a few short years Mike was playing regular gigs with New Zealand artists Liam Ryan, Midge Marsden and various other artists including a guest spot with Neil Finn (Crowded House/Split Enz/The Finn Brothers) at the Te Awamutu hotel.
After completing a Bachelor of Arts in History and Politics, Mike moved to Adelaide, South Australia where he began jazz studies at the Elder Conservatorium of Music. He quickly began working with prominent Adelaide jazz musicians Kym Purling, Dave McEvoy, and Mark Ferguson and performed as featured soloist with the Adelaide Connection at numerous concerts including the Sydney Opera House.
After completing an Honours degree at the Adelaide Conservatorium of Music, he was awarded 'most outstanding post graduate student' and subsequently was offered a faculty teaching position at the Conservatorium that same year. He has taught several finalists in the James Morrison Scholarship. Mike became an Australian citizen in 1999.
Other performing and recording opportunities included The Marmalade Circus, Goose (both recording and touring), as a featured artists at numerous Jazz Co-ordinator concerts, including his own tribute to the legendary Joe Henderson. He has also performed at the Sydney Arts Festival, the Threadbo Jazz Festival, the Melbourne Fusion Festival and many others.
Mike was the inaugural winner of the Barossa Winemakers Scholarship in 2001 which afforded him the opportunity to travel to the United States to audition at several elite colleges and to study with saxophone greats, George Coleman and Rich Perry.
He was offered a substantial scholarship and teaching assistantship at Purchase College in New York which he commenced in 2003. The college allowed him to study and play with many of New Yorks finest jazz musicians including Jon Faddis, Todd Coolman, John Riley, Javon Jackson, Ralph Lalama, Steve Wilson, Dennis Irwin, John Abercrombie, Hal Galper and many other visiting artists. Mike was also the first call substitute teacher when any of the faculty were touring – consequently in the space of two years he had taught almost every music course offered in the college.
The first hand information available to him and mentoring from luminaries such as Jon Faddis and Ralph Lalama proved invaluable. Mike was invited to play several concerts as part of James Moody’s 80th birthday celebration. He performed with saxophonists James Moody, Jimmy Heath, Frank Wess, Joe Lovano, Mark Turner, Steve Wilson, drummer Adam Nausbaum and acclaimed pianist David Hazeltine.
Encouraged by Jon Faddis, Mike began to make preparations for his first recording date as a leader toward the end of 2005. With some assistance and phone calls from Faddis, on the 20th of December Mike was in the midst of a recording session with three of the finest jazz musicians in New York City. Renne Rosnes-piano, Todd Coolman-bass and Lewis Nash-drums. The process and end result proved to be a most rewarding experience, the results of which will be the release of Mike's debut jazz instrumental album in the very near future.
Mike was also artist in residence at the Australian Embassy in Washington DC and performed at the Embassy several times a year.
Returning home to Adelaide in early 2006 Mike was subsequently offered another lecturing position at Adelaide University. His passion for music and enthusiastic approach has already made an indelible impression on students in his ensembles. He thrives on the challenge of teaching students not only the tradition of the music but also the fire and passion that is required to play it.
Mike Stewart
Soprano, Alto and Tenor Saxophones/Flute/Clarinet/Percussion/Keyboards