Career
Born in Waterford, he began his professional career performing in Dublin showbands. Stewart was subsequently offered a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music, which he turned down. He joined Benny Goodman"s band in 1970.
Stewart began recording as a leader in the 1976 with Louis the First.
His sidemen have included Sam Jones, Billy Higgins, Peter Indiana, Red Mitchell and Spike Robinson. In the late 1970s he began working with George Shearing, touring America, Brazil and major European festivals, and recording eight albums, including several in trio with bassist Niels-Henning Orsted-Pedersen.
Stewart has also appeared on albums by Joe Williams and Josip Juraj Johnson. In 1981, ahead of his debut in the United States as a leader, the New York Times stated: "Mr.
Stewart seems to have his musical roots in be-bop.
He leans toward material associated with Charlie Parker and he spins out single-note lines that flow with an unhurried grace, colored by sudden bright, lively chorded phrases. His up-tempo virtuosity is balanced by a laid-back approach to ballads, which catches the mood of the piece without sacrificing the rhythmic emphasis that keeps it moving." In a review of Stewart"s 1995 album Overdrive, AllMusic stated that "Louis Stewart is one of the all-time greats, and it is obvious from the first notes he plays on any occasion." Stewart currently resides in Dublin. He received an honorary doctorate from Trinity College Dublin in 1998.
In 2009 he was elected to Aosdána, established by The Arts Council in 1981, to honour artists whose work has made an outstanding contribution to the creative arts in Ireland.