Monday, November 19, 2018
Robin and family.
I met Stew in '76. When I first heard him playing along side several other amazingly talented local musicians, I thought this guy should be playing in Toronto or New Orleans! Fortunately for us, he remained in Cranbrook as a fixture of the local music scene.
Stew loved music. Any genre, and he was "in". Besides being a lifetime proponent of swing music, he was always up for anything else.
"Hey Stew. The Symphony needs a trombone part?" "Sure!"
"Want to play jazz in a small group?" "Well, of course!"
"Want to start a rock band with real electric guitars and a horn section?" " Okay???"
"Will you even join a group that's going to be called Wham Go the Ducks?" "You bet!"
"They're starting a community band. Wanna join?" "Which one?" "Both!"
"And you really can tune a piano?" "Ya, I'll do that for you!"
He was the consummate musician, and through it all remained a modest, down to earth gentleman. He has been a huge influence in my musical life. Play on Stew!
Murray Knipfel and Germaine Besanger
