Louis Stewart is, and has been for some time, a leading jazz guitarist in his style of playing. The style in mention has its gravitational centre in the be-bop tradition of playing. His earlier merits include a.o a number of recordings and tours with George Shearing, and he has also toured and recorded with Benny Goodman, Stephan Grappelli, Ronnie Scott and Tubby Hayes. He has played with Ruby Braff, Brad Mehldau, Bill Charlap., Jim Hall, Pat Martino etc. Louis Stewart was appointed to Honorary Doctor of Music at Trinity University, Dublin in 1998.

He has played in Norway on many occasions, and won the Norwegian Grammy in 1983 with Laila Dalseth . On Villa Records he has earlier contributed on “Good News” (1986), “Du er så rar” (1988), ”String Time” (1991) and “Joycenotes” (1993).

On ‘Core Business’ Louis Stewart plays along with some of the best competence in norwegian jazz. Recording with Egil Kapstad has long been a wishful plan for Louis, and the reason is obvious when you hear the result of the recording. The inclusion of two of Louis’ other favourites Terje Venaas and Eyvind Olsen leads in the most natural way to musicianship based on a mutual respect for a common jazz tradition. ‘Time’ is always first priority in this ‘company’, and followingly it swings from all corners of this CD. Another general item on the agenda are the slightly prolonged improvisations, offering the musicians a somewhat extended variational freedom in addition to their interpretation of the melodic material.