(Navona Records, 2025)

Reading the biography of the African American musician Earl Louis Stewart (b. 1950), one comes across the following description: a composer of “intellectual jazz.” This is an expression that might cause jazz musicians and enthusiasts to raise an eyebrow. But, upon learning more about the composer — and above all by listening to his music — one understands that it is a perfect description of his artistic vision, free from any attempt at appropriation or supposed cultural elevation.

Stewart has collaborated with major names in jazz — among them Cannonball Adderley and Kent Jordan — and has directed several jazz ensembles. Rather, as a great lover both of classical polyphony and of African American musical traditions, he has attempted — successfully — to synthesize these two worlds, producing a substantial catalog of works in which the contrapuntal artistry of Johann Sebastian Bach and Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina merges with the harmonies and rhythms of jazz, ragtime, and blues.

The three sonatas recorded here — Rhythm Sonatas Nos. 2, 5, and 12 — are a perfect example of this synthesis. Each is structured in suite form, with individual movements developing fugues, counter-fugues, canons, and retrograde motion infused with swing and syncopated rhythms. Even the instrumentation — featuring harpsichord, cello, vibraphone, and drums — reflects this duality of musical and cultural dimensions, producing sounds that are both original and captivating.

The result — thanks also to the masterful interpretation of the musicians involved, capable of combining careful attention to formal detail with a vibrant, groove-rich sound — is unquestionably successful and engaging. Some movements perhaps tend to resemble one another, but the listener’s attention is always sustained and curiosity continually stimulated.

I recommend this CD both to jazz enthusiasts and to lovers of the classical tradition.

Rating: 7.5/10

A compelling collection of vocal pieces steeped in lyrical richness, exploring themes of introspection and connection through music.A striking compilation of vocal compositions imbued with lyrical depth, delving into the essence of self-reflection and community through the art of music. RHYTHM OF THE SPIRIT VOL. 1 from Earl Louis Stewart asserts that America’s musical heritage — rooted in heartache, creativity, resilience, and exuberance — deserves to be celebrated alongside the works of Bach or Palestrina. Stewart’s fugues, canons, counterfugues, and retrogrades are crafted with the rigor of 16th and 18th century European traditions, yet vibrate with the rhythmic pulse and heartfelt expression of ragtime, blues, and jazz.

This mesmerizing composition for a small ensemble masterfully captures the delicate nuances of musicians and composer in dialogue, drawing you into a cinematic symphony of sound that unfolds like a spellbinding exchange on screen, A sonic delight.

- Alisa Banks, Filmmaker

Discover an enchanting array of stories expressed through sound, revealing the profound connection between music and emotion. This is a journey you won't want to miss.

- Marcus Eley - Virtuoso Clarinet Artist

“Jazz/blues/classical syncopation following European fugues, canons and counterfugues.”