Newly remastered release of Louis Stewart's 'Out On His Own'

Recorded in late 1976 and released in 1977 (LP and cassette) and CD in 1995, this new edition includes 3 previously unreleased tracks, a 16-page booklet with extensive sleeve notes and several previously unseen photographs.

“Out On His Own” is a fitting title for Louis Stewart as he is perhaps the only Irish jazz musician to attain international front-rank status. This solo record features a mix of lead only and rhythm with lead tracks with a repertoire of Jazz and American Songbook standards, contemporary composers (Chick Corea, Steve Swallow etc.) plus an interpretation of an Irish traditional tune and a self-composed blues.

The album was recorded in Bray, while Louis was at his peak and alternating between playing with Ronnie Scott’s band in London with the best of visiting musicians, and his frequent trips back to Dublin to play to packed clubs and bars.

About Louis Stewart

While revered in Ireland, Louis’ fame was always greater abroad. Towards the end of his life, he gained honours at home as Ireland began to realise that he was one of the great geniuses of modern music, and an Irish artist to stand alongside Heaney, Beckett, and Le Brocquy as one who transcended his artform and earned the respect and admiration of his peers around the world.

Over the course of a long career, Louis Stewart would appear on over seventy albums, and tour the world in the company of some of the foundational stars of the music he loved, including Benny Goodman, JJ Johnson and George Shearing. He was awarded with an Honorary Doctorate by Trinity College Dublin (1998) and Aosdána membership (2009). Louis died in 2016.

About Livia Records

Gerald Davis, a Dublin painter and friend of Louis produced his first 1975 recording ”Louis the First” and then founded Livia Records to release, “Out On His Own”, establishing Ireland’s first jazz record label with a name inspired by the works of James Joyce. Several other Livia releases followed, each featuring Louis in different line ups: duos, and small to medium size groups, e.g., “Alone Together” “Spondance” and “Super Session”.

Livia ceased operations following Gerald’s death in 2005. With his family’s support, Dermot Rogers started a rediscovery and reactivation project in 2021 that led to this release and has unearthed a wealth of other live and studios recordings that are intended for future releases.