Stewart Burr

  Having played  for over 40 years,  Stewart is right at home playing drums and percussion. A Bay Area native, Stewart started playing drums at age 10 and played in the school concert bands during junior high school and high school. Stewart also played in the the local club scene every weekend in his teens in a classic rock band.
 Thereafter he studied music and played in the big band at Diablo Valley College. Stewart then attended and studied percussion at Cal. St. Northridge under the direction of Prof. Joel Leach and studio ace Steve Houghton. Stewart then transferred to Sonoma St. Univ. and earned a degree in Jazz Studies while studying under Mel Graves and George Marsh. While at Sonoma St. Stewart received numerous awards, including three Evertt B. Person performance scholarships (1994, 1995 & 1996), and an Outstanding Musicianship award at the 1996 Berkeley Collegiate Jazz Festival.  

  In addition to studying jazz, Stewart continued to work in the San Francisco music scene playing a variety of styles including pop, blues, rock, funk, R&B, soul, latin, big band, rockabilly, and country. His first big break came when he got the gig with legendary jazz pianist Bob Lucas. Bob mentored Stewart in the fundamentals of cooking in a jazz combo setting, as well as giving him the opportunity to play with world class jazz musicians.  

  Soon after earning his degree in Jazz Studies, Stewart landed the gig with blues harmonica virtuoso Red Archibald and the Internationals. Playing 300 dates a year, touring internationally, and recording Red's third CD gave Stewart invaluable experience.  

  In 1999 Stewart moved to New York City where after a year of club and session work, he auditioned and got the gig with the legendary Chubby Checker. Touring all over the USA, the band played all of Chubby's long-standing hits for enthusiastic fans. In Fall 2001 Stewart relocated back to the Bay Area and immediately got back into the Bay area music scene playing clubs dates, casuals, tours, and recording sessions. 

  In early 2004 Stewart got called to work with the dancers, head choreographer, and actors for the movie 'Rent'. Stewart played in a band helping the dancers learn there moves to the timeless songs from the Emmy winning Broadway show. 

  Also in 2004 Stewart landed the drum chair with famed Americana popsmith Chuck Prophet and embarked on a 7 month international tour.  Right after coming off the road with Chuck Stewart joined the Shane Dwight band and toured nationally and recorded with Shane for a year and a half. 

  From 2005 to 2009 Stewart kept a busy schedule performing, recording, and touring with various artists, including Maxx Cabello Jr.,  Lara Price, Sean Kennedy and the King cats, Sugar Pie DeSanto, and many more. 

  In 2009 Stewart landed the coveted gig with the house band, Appaloosa, at the world famous country bar, The Saddle Rack.  The band rocked the famed club every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. 
  At the same time, Stewart also landed another coveted gig playing with the Doc Webster Jazz Quartet in San Francisco every Sunday night.  Hitting hard for 3 nights, every week, then playing very soft the forth night really challenges and expands your chops!

  Stewart then joined Rob Tracy and Bad Influence (country band) and rocked the central Valley playing numerous club dates, festivals, and casinos. Stewart also played every week with the local favorite jazz band, Diminished Blue. 

  In 2012 Stewart got the gig with the ever popular Pink Floyd tribute band, House of Floyd. His first gig was in India. Yes, that's right, India. The band toured India for 3 and 1/2 weeks playing to dignitaries and public figures at cricket clubs and big navel bases all over the country. 

  Stewart also played with the yacht rock band Mustache Harbor in 2013, playing all the AM radio smooth hits from the 70s and 80s to sold out crowds all over the Bay Area. 
 
  In addition to performing with many artists, Stewart manages and runs his own bands. Jazzstew.

  In 2015 Stewart built a recording studio in his home and has been recording quality drum tracks for many different artists. 
 
  In addition to performing fulltime, Stewart has also been an in demand percussion instructor for over 25 years. 

  After many years of studying, performing, and on the job experience, Stewart is comfortable playing many different styles, live, or in the studio​

  Known for his musical versatility, Stewart has toured, recorded, and performed with many artists, including
 
Pop/Rock
Chubby Checker
Tainted Love 
Mustache Harbor
House of Floyd (Pink Floyd tribute)
Lost October
Sean Tabor
Steve Hanson and friends
Neon Velvet


Americana
Chuck Prophet
Eric Lindell
Marty Dolciamore


Blues and Soul
Sista Monica
Sugar Pie DeSanto
Frankie G and the Conviction 
Maxx Cabello Jr. 
Earl Thomas
Red Archibald and the Internationals
Shane Dwight 
Johnny Nitro
Lara Price
Danny Castro
Umoja
Michael Locke
Marshal Wilkerson 
Mar

Rockabilly
Jinx Jones
Spinout
Sean Kennedy and the King Kats

Country 
Rob Tracy
Shawna Lynn
Appaloosa (house band at The Saddle Rack)
Larry Martinez and the Country boogie band
Sin Wagon
Good time Charlie
Megan Smith 
Jewels Hanson 
Monique LeCompte
The Bell Brothers
Steve Hanson
Jonathan Jimmerson 
Jpm
 
Jazz
Bob Lucas 
Doc Webster Jazz Quartet
Jazzstew
Diminished Blue

Christian
CEDE

Zydeco
Gumbostew

Pop/Opera
Pasquale Esposito

Children's music
 The Raytones
 
Movies
"Rent", The movie (pre production, working with dancers and head choreographer)