Expelled from classical piano lessons at age 14, (for playing boogie-woogie); D. K. Stewart was given an early opportunity to develop his own piano style. The result of his departure from tradition was the discovery of Jazz and Blues. This unusual pursuit at such a young age afforded D.K. the opportunity to meet and perform with a multitude of living blues legends such as; Big Walter Horton & S.P. Leary, Hubert Sumlin & Sunnyland Slim, Buddy Guy & Junior Wells, James Cotton, Willie Dixon & the All Stars, Albert Collins, Sunnyland Slim, Sonny Terry & Browny Magee, Junior Walker, Clifton Chenier, Ray Charles, Paul Butterfield, George "Harmonica" Smith and BB King.
Remaining behind the scenes in most of his bands, Stewart began his stage career by writing and performing with the "Nighthawks Band" out of Eugene, Oregon. This was the group that inspired the creation of John Belushi's "Blues Brothers", and later became the hardy force of road warriors that introduced Robert Cray to the west coast during the late 70's.
Producing and performing with NW giants Curtis Salgado, Robert Cray, Jim Mesi, and Paul deLay, Stewart inevitably put his savvy stage expertise to work for himself in 1985 by creating the "D.K. Stewart Trio". This effort produced his first solo project "The Sun Valley Sessions"(CR33-07), released in 1988, followed by "No Excuse for the Blues" (CR33-16), released in 1992. This last release of his third solo project "Don't Call Home" (CR-CD010) and induction into the "Muddy Hall Of Fame" by the Cascade Blues Association, has vaulted D.K. into the top echelon of the Northwest's finest performers. DK finished up a three-year national tour with The Curtis Salgado Band in 2003 and then released a fine CD “In The House” in 2004 featuring Bassist Don Campbell and Guitarist Peter Dammann. He was out with this band "The DK 4" doing festival work until 2008. After doing a two week road tour throughout the NW in July 2007 with the infamous "Roomful of Blues" band, DK formed the DK Stewart Sextet, featuring Chris Mercer and Joe McCarthy as the Soul Survivor Horns, added Cory Burden on drums and has been touring the NW as a six-piece festival band representing Portland’s influence on NW music ever since.
Mr. Stewart also performs regularly as solo, duet and trio acts throughout the Northwest. His band, in any configuration, consistently pleases crowds of all ages. The music is strong, metered Blues, Jazz and R&B with a definitive dance beat. Stewart's vocal work is a fine tribute to Chicago-style blues singing combined with a little New Orleans soul. This mixture of spicy "Barrelhouse" piano and hard driving southern rhythm, always produces a performance that's hard to forget and easy to dance to. The DK Stewart Sextet can be seen locally in the Rose City at the premier “Muddy Award” winning Blues Bar “Duff’s Garage” once a month on any given weekend night. DK also plays solo piano at the Brasserie Montmartre every Monday night in downtown Portland.
The man is a powerhouse performer, the music is authentic, the show is dynamic and the time to go listen is now! Get to out see this NW blues piano legend at your earliest opportunity, if for no other reason but to soothe your soul.
Brendan Mann, Publicist
Natty Rain Productions
Links:
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