Then & Now

I love jazz tuba, and this is a great recording that features it. The arrangements and compositions are interesting and innovative, and the band plays beautifully together. Lovely tone on the tuba. Great jazz, creative and not at all cliched.

great deal

Bob Stewart is a absolute kickin' jazz/funk/blues tuba player, and he surrounds himself with some first class top of the line musicians on their respective instruments. I mean John Clark, Steve Turre, Stanton Davis, Taj Mahal, Aaron Scott plus many others. This set is packed solid with knock out punch jazz/funk/blues. If that is your groove as it is mine, you will love this cd. Stewart has been somewhat overshadowed by the amazing tuba monster Howard Johnson, however Stewart proves that he is right there in the same big league as Johnson. Don't get me wrong, I love Howard Johnson's funky grooves but Stewart proves he has some great chops too folks, believe me. Check this out folks you won't be dissapointed. Highly recommended. Easy 5 star rating.John W. Shearer

This is a beautiful work of art. The diversity of textures and tamber that Mr. Stewart sounds out moves my spirit, and effects me. His arrangement and performance on the jazz standard "You Don't Know What Love Is" was astoundingly sublime, heartfelt, bluesy but with clustered melodic modulations, that bent my ear more ways than one as a listener. His fun improv on the fishing song and others helped me to enjoy my day. This CD gives a new definition to the term "Brass". Overall this CD is an enjoyable, bold, light, humorous, through composed with excellent improvisation. When I saw him with the David Murray Big Band recently his soloing was superb as it is on "Then and Now".

Bob Stewart has returned the tuba back to its rightful place: center stage of the jazz ensemble. From the percussive rhythmns of the New Orleans/Caribbean flavored "Hambone" (then) to the sweet contemporary ballad "You Don't Know What Love Is" to the marvelous harmolotics of Ornette Coleman's "Law Years" (now), the listener experiences the full range of the low horn. Stewart's "Rambler" will move you to your feet, while Taj Mahal's "Fishin' Blues" will send you back to the roots of the tuba eight decades past.