( ? ? 1891 - August 5th 1960)

Born in Circleville, Ohio in 1891 Sammy Stewart was a pianist turned bandleader inspired by a local violinist and booking agent named Charlie Parker. In 1918 he would become leader of a dance orchestra playing jazz inspired arrangements in the style that would later be popularized through the work of white orchestra leader Paul Whiteman. After performing for a while with Charlie "Parker's Popular Players" in 1921 he founded the "Sammy Stewart Orchestra". The "Stewart" band went on to successfully tour a number of major cities reaching far beyond the scope of the typical so called "Territory" bands of the day. In 1923 Stewart's assembly became the first of its kind to land in Chicago but their initial stay was short lived and came to an sudden end when the establishment where they were playing was shut down by prohibition agents. The Stewart band continued to perform in the city but wound up permanently relocating to New York City around 1930. There the group blossomed into a true jazz band with the additions of drummer Sid Catlett, and tenor saxophonist Chu Berry.