Robert Stewart and Marcus Printup: A
Dialogue Between Two Jazz Greats
By Shelah Moody
Have you ever wondered what jazz
musicians are thinking about when playing together onstage, when the
fluid, melliferous and serpentine improvisations of the regal
saxophone interact with the fiery declarations, squeaks and wa-wa’s
of the mighty trumpet? Indeed, it sounds like an intelligent
conversation between two kindred spirits.
This insightful dialogue between
saxophonist Robert Stewart and trumpeter Marcus Printup took place
after the two musicians played together with trumpet icon Wynton
Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra in the Bay Area this
spring. Stewart and Printup had not seen each other in five years.
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Robert Stewart
One of the most accomplished and
original saxophonists of his time, Stewart, who was born and raised
in Oakland, CA and currently lives in SF, began playing music at age
17. Stewart is a completely self- taught musician as well as a devout
Muslim. He was dubbed “The Reverend” by his Wynton Marsalis, who
recruited him to perform with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
Stewart performs with Marsalis and LCJO on the Columbia/Sony
recordings: “They Came to Swing” and the Pulitzer Prize winning
oratorio “Blood on the Fields.” In the Bay Area, Stewart has
performed with his own band at venues such as Yoshi’s, Pier 23 and
Rassela’s in San Francisco. Stewart’s solo albums include “Heaven
and Earth,” “The Movement,” “Nat the Cat,” “The Force,”
“In the Gutta,” “Soft Ballads” and “Judgment.”
www.therobertstewartexperience.com,
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Marcus Printup
Born and raised in Conytheers, GA, Marcus
Printup is one of the most accomplished trumpeters of his time.
Printup, whose music was partly influenced by his southern Baptist
church experience, attended the University of North Florida on a
music scholarship and went on to win the International Trumpet Guild
Jazz Trumpet Competition. Printup has been touring and recording with
Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra since 1993; and like
Stewart, he played on “Blood on the Fields,” which explores the
legacy of slavery in America. Printup’s solo albums include “Song
for Beautiful Woman,” “Unveiled,” “Hub Songs,”
“Nocturnal Traces,” “The New Boogaloo,” “Peace In The
Abstract,” “Bird of Paradise,” “London Lullaby,”
Ballads All Night,” “ A Time for Love” “Homage.” www.marcusprintup.net
Ballads All Night,” “ A Time for Love” “Homage.” www.marcusprintup.net
Marcus Printup: Reverend! Man, it did
my soul good to see/hear you tonight with Wynton Marsalis. It is
indeed a blessing!
Robert Stewart: I felt the same
regarding yourself, my blessed
brother! No trumpet player of our
generation plays with such unmitigated
soul / force. You are my favorite,
indeed!
Marcus Printup: I have to thank you. I
listened to the CD you gave me tonight of us playing together back in
the 90's. Hearing that recording reminded me of who I am,
musically. That has escaped me through
the years. I hear veracity
in my sound that isn't there anymore. I
still have it inside but I have to
find it again. Hearing us play back
then is the first step.
Robert Stewart: That was a spiritual
day. The living force was
upon us, indeed. I'm overjoyed that
someone elected to record / document our
musical excursions that evening. Your
soul-force remains within
you. Your dilemma lies in performing
ORCHESTRATED music (READING)
on gigs all night. This HINDERS your
ability to completely release your individuality.
It's impossible to completely delve
into your soul, when you have to be overly concerned about an
upcoming written section that you must hurry back to play. This is
the reason
John Coltrane elected to play
avant-garde or completely free music by
the end of his life; he had an
epiphany. Consequently, Trane agrees with my
stance wholeheartedly.
Marcus Printup: When I said you have
"God" in your sound, I really meant it. I'm
listening to the way I'm playing
alongside you and I hear it in my sound too.
I need more of that! I feel like
something just woke up inside me that
has been dormant for years. THANK YOU
BROTHER!
Robert Stewart: You echo my sentiments
precisely, my beloved
brother! You are of a rare breed,
indeed! Al-Hamdulillah! (Praise is due
to Allah / God).
Marcus Printup: Man, before I die I
want to do another one with you. Let's make it
happen. You inspire me brother. PEACE!
Robert Stewart: In Sha llah (God
Willing), we will perform
together again. You are the only
trumpet player of our generation that I
would want to record with. Your sound
is unrelentingly UNIQUE. You
have been truly blessed by the Lord of
the Worlds. Ma Sha llah! (It is the
will of Allah - God). Stay strong &
may the force be with you.
Follow Robert Stewart and Marcus
Printup on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/therobertstewartexperience?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marcus-Printup/362564883813924?fref=ts
Follow Jazz at Lincoln Center:
www.jalc.org
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