Reviews of “Jhaptal” FSNT 2006 “…Tsiganov’s free-floating feel is a neat foil to the steely improvising of both Malaby and Stewardson. Hebert and Schuller are equal partners, free to roam at will within the guitarist’s democratic structures, stretching and containing the music as structures fade in and out….Certainly there are echoes of other East Coast groups operating at the sharp end of contemporary jazz, but Stewardson’s unique frame of reference and well-chosen instrumentation give this group a refreshing identity.” — Fred Grand, Jazz Review (UK)
“Stewardson is an exceptional jazz guitarist and a courageous leader. As a soloist he is full of boundless invention, turning the melody (and he knows what melody is) around on a dime and coaxing the music into places it didn’t know it wanted to go. As an accompanist he’s supportive and strong…” — Jeff Tamarkin, All Music Guide
“Jamie Stewardson is a striking player…His guitar has just a touch of distorted bite, recalling early John McLaughlin, or Kevin Eubanks with Dave Holland… This is advanced, tough-skinned music, meticulous in structure but without a hint of academic stiffness.” — David Adler, JazzTimes
“Echoes of serialism and Indian Classical music occasionally surface, but are never allowed to choke what is first and foremost an improviser’s freebop outfit… Stewardson’s unique frame of reference and well-chosen instrumentation give this group a refreshing identity.” — Fred Grand, Jazz Review (UK)
“Jamie Stewardson has stepped up to the composer’s plate and has rallied to the cause…. Stewardson’s compositional bent is something to be reckoned with. He uses rich, precise melodic and harmonic lines to paint his music…” — George W. Carroll, Ejazznews
“Firmly rooted in post bop harmony and odd-metered rhythms, Stewardson and company add an inventive twist to an often staid genre… Stewardson demonstrates the kind of creative potential that so few seem capable of in mainstream jazz.” — Troy Collins, All About Jazz
“4-stars. Stewardson is an excellent young guitarist and even better composer… the music is vibrantly alive and several notches above the pack.” — Ray Comiskey, Irish Times
“Simmering tension over a feeling of just- contained tranquility by an ensemble that bounces and stings on a set of cerebral but approachable compositions makes Jhaptal a very worthy modern jazz offering.” — Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz
“Excellent!” — Bob Morello, Boston Post- Gazette