STEW CUTLER - GUITAR
BILL McCLELLAN - DRUMS
ETIENNE LYTLE - KEYS
In a career spanning over 4 decades, jazz/blues/gospel guitarist/composer Stew Cutler has established himself as a bandleader and composer . With 8 record releases to his credit as a leader and playing on countless recordings as a sideman, Cutler’s prolific career is a walk through musical history.
Over the years Cutler honed his craft through collaborations with an illustrious array of artists including; Percy Sledge, Eddie Floyd, Wilson Pickett, Fontella Bass (featured on Bass' Grammy nominated album No Ways Tired), Lester Chambers, Earl King, Jimmy Castor and many more. Cutler has also worked with jazz greats David Sanborn, Bill Frisell, Lester Bowie, Charlie Hunter, and Wayne Horvitz to name a few, as well as artists as diverse as Meatloaf, Jeb Loy Nichols, David Fanshawe, Sweet Georgia Brown, and Jimmy Dale Gilmore.
Cutler was born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx. His father was a classical violinist but his parents divorced when he was quite young. Cutler had no contact from his father for many years but he still found muisc, the guitar. In his early teens Cutler dove into his instrument and at just 19 years old he landed his first touring job with blues legend Z.Z. Hill. Cutler immersed himself in studying music and was mentored by master guitarist James Clark. Soon thereafter, he began calloborating with instrumental artists such as Bobby Previte and Eliott Sharp. Not long after that Cutler moved to Woodstock, NY and began working with bassist Harvey Brooks { Bob Dylan, Miles Davis etc.} along with many well-known artists that were part of that musical kaleidoscope.
In more recent years Cutler has been keeping himself busy playing his own music in and around New York City and going on tour regularly with his own group. He has also found time to work with Alexis P Suter, John Lloyd Young Garland Jefferies, and Tina Fabrique. Cutler also has also been going to Europe fairly regularly with The Harlem Gospel Singers .
Cutler can be found on the soundtrack of Martin Scorsese's film "The Irishman''. he is performing the standard "How High The Moon". Cutler was also cast as part of the soundtrack for the streaming Amazon TV series, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, an American comedy/drama set in the late 1950's. You can hear Cutler's playing on the soundtrack of the series over the years. In season 4 Cutler was on camera as well as the soundtrack, featured in the bulesque club house band, “The Wolford Band."
Cutlers last recording, "*The Blues From Another Angle*." is a critically acclaimed eclectic mix of originals and a few covers featuring legendary guitarist Mike Stern and master harmonica player, James Montgomery. *The Blues From Another Angle* showcases a room full of top-notch musicians including drummer Bill McClellan, keyboardist Tom Wilson, bassists Booker King and Chulo Gatewood, saxophonist Steve Elson plus vocalists Bobby Harden and Mary Jean Cutler. Showcasing their prowess on the album guest artists Mike Stern, blazing through a guitar solo on “Blews” and James Montgomery making the harmonic sing on “Say What You Mean.”
As a guitarist composer and storyteller, Stew Cutler's journey is a testament to the tranformative power of music, bridging genres with his unmistakable soulful sound.