Phil Stewart

Phil Stewart is a hard-bop drummer who has anchored the New York jazz scene since the mid-2000s, playing in the melodic, swinging tradition of Max Roach, Art Taylor, Philly Joe Jones and Louis Hayes. He has been the drummer in the quartet of his brother, tenor saxophonist Grant Stewart, since 2005, touring with the group through Japan, France, Germany, Holland and Uruguay. As a sideman he has performed with musicians including Brad Mehldau, Peter Bernstein, Harold Mabern, Hank Jones, Bill Charlap, Barry Harris and Johnny O'Neal. He studied with master drummers Vernel Fournier, Jimmy Cobb, Joe Morello, Joe Farnsworth and Sam Ulano. In 2018 he made his recorded debut as a leader with Melodious Drum on Cellar Live, a set of rare bop tunes featuring Grant Stewart, Joe Magnarelli, Chris Byars, Sacha Perry and Paul Sikivie.