This morning I was listening to a sportscaster on the radio describe a team that had been on a tear recently and he said, ‘They are not hot, they are very good.’  The same words can be used to describe guitarist Stew Cutler who is a very good and we might even say exceptional guitarist from New York City.

In early April Cutler took a few minutes to speak with me about his CD trio live recorded live in segments, in the cities of Erie Pennsylvania, Syracuse and Rochester New York during 2004, but was released late on February 13, of this year. The other two members of the trio are Garry Bruer (drums) and bass player Gene Torres.

Although at first glance, song titles such as “Spagetti Western,” “Cole’s Mountain,” and “Yppie-tai-yi-yo” would suggest a country music album, in fact only “Spagetti Western,” and “Yippie-tai-yi-yo” have country-tinged themes. On a whole the CD trio live defies genre labelling but might be described as a more Avante-garde jazz/blues hybrid.

“Spagetti Western,” however is one song upon which the trio does agree that there are some western elements to the music. “It has a little twang to it, and there is a bit of a shootout at the OK Coral. That is the way that all of us hear it,” says Cutler.

Cutler is not sure of the origins of “Yippi-tai-yi-yo,” except that he believes the music is based on a very old country song, probably predating the last century. “Cole’s Mountain” takes its name from a mountain in upstate New York, where Cutler maintains a small home. “That has been my place of solitude, and where I go to get away from the whole New York scene,” he says.

The soloing efforts of Cutler on the fifth track “Ardells Theme,” constitute some of the best guitar work you will hear north of the Mason Dixon line.  Suggesting a blues-rock sound, the chord structures serve up reminders of early Eric Clapton.

In contrast to “Ardells Theme,” stands “Whisper,” an elegant jazz piece that has all three musicians sharing the limelight. Gene Torres’ bass work is particularly notable, and Bruer makes liberal use of his ride and hi-hat cymbals. 

Cutler has recorded with and shared the stage with an eclectic and prominent group of artists that includes, Wilson Pickett, Meatloaf, David Sanborn, Fontella Bass and Bill Frisell.  Combined with his experience playing venues as large as Madison Square Gardens, and as intimate as nightclub lounges holding no more than sixty patrons, it has allowed Cutler to develop many musical voices, including the very funky “Grindstone,” from the 2005 CD release So Many Streams.