Underskog

From jazz beginnings to DJ culture, Stuart McCallum’s music is ‘alternative
jazz’ – a distillation of influences, creating a sound that is concentrated and
distinctive. Not wanting to hide behind over complicated harmonic and
rhythmical structures, angular and forgettable melodies, Stuart’s music is
a new hybrid of composition, production and performance. It embraces
simple, memorable melodies, bass lines and drum beats, with electronica and
improvisation enriched by elegant orchestral writing.

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Stuart has a wealth of experience in many different musical environments and
genres. After being invited to join the Cinematic Orchestra in 2004, Stuart has
performed on and contributed to the writing of the band’s critically acclaimed
albums, ‘Ma Fleur’ and ‘Live At The Royal Albert Hall’. In addition he has
contributed to the award winning Disney nature documentary soundtrack, ‘The
Crimson Wing’, and the remix of Radiohead’s ‘Exit Music For A Film’ for
Radiohead’s remix compilation album, ‘Exit Music: Songs For Radio Heads’.
Memorable performances with the band from several worldwide tours
include The Royal Albert Hall with the Heritage Orchestra and The London
Metropolitan Orchestra, headlining The Big Chill in the UK, and playing at
Montreal Jazz Festival and Coachella festival in Palm Springs.

‘Distilled’, Stuart’s third solo album, due for release September 26, 2011
on NaimLabel, is the culmination of Stuart’s guitar playing, production
and composition experience to date. The sonic palette of instruments and
electronics used is a development from his 2 previous solo albums ‘Echo
Architect’ and ‘Stuart McCallum’. Stuart’s guitar playing is the main feature
of the music – the vocalist in the instrumental lineup. His interest in exploring
different sounds from both electric and acoustic guitars is apparent in the
music, from the innovative use of delays and filters, to hitting the guitars with
hands and drumsticks! The guitar plays alongside electronic and acoustic
drums, double bass, keyboards, synths, percussion, harp, celeste, strings,
woodwinds and horns.

Over the past two years Stuart has worked closely with internationally
acclaimed British artist Linder. ‘The Dark Monarch’, performed at Tate St
Ives in 2009 has resulted in a Tate DVD and book to document the piece.
The 13 hour improvised performance piece, ‘The Darktown Cakewalk’,
performed at the 2010 Glasgow International Festival resulted in Stuart being
awarded a nomination for ‘Best Music in Theatre in Scotland’ by the Scottish
Theatre Critics Association. Stuart and Linder also collaborated to create a
visual ‘soundtrack’ to Stuart’s ‘Distilled’ album launch.

In 2007 Stuart was invited to take part in the PRSF artist development
scheme ‘Take Five’. A week of workshops with legendary UK saxophonist,
John Surman, lead to Stuart being commissioned by Manchester Jazz
Festival to write a suite of music to be performed by John and Stuart and a
10 piece chamber ensemble. The suite was performed in the beautiful setting
of St Annes Church in Manchester’s City Centre and was acclaimed by both
audience and critics. Stuart wrote a new suite of music for Manchester Jazz
Festival in 2010, this time for a solo set which was performed live on BBC
Radio 3’s flagship jazz show ‘Jazz On 3’. The music was so well received by
the show that it was included in its ‘Best Of 2010’ review show.

As well as John Surman, Stuart has also performed and recorded with some
of the most prominent jazz artists of today, including Kenny Wheeler, Mike
Gibbs, Gwilym Simcock, Tim Garland, French drummer Laurent Robin,
French pianist Laurent De Wilde and Austrian hang drum player Manu
Delago.



“The music suggests the feel of the Cinematic Orchestra, Brian Eno and In a Silent Way-era
Miles Davis” The Guardian, UK

“Guitarist Stuart McCallum’s compositions are exemplary of everything that is exciting
about new British jazz.” Jazzwise, UK

“Simple, understated and hypnotic he had the audience locked in and silent…Living proof
that less is more.” Jez Nelson, Jazz on 3, BBC Radio 3

“Absolutely beautiful guitar playing. Stuart is such a talent – get out there and support him.”
Jamie Cullum, BBC Radio 2