Dr. Stewart engages the TEDxCarletonU audience on how seemingly ordinary objects are, in fact, quite extraordinary in their potential to generate a sense of wonder and discovery in art and music. For more information about TEDxCarletonU, please visit: tedxcarletonu.com
Jesse Stewart is an award-winning percussionist, composer, improviser, artist, instrument builder, educator, and writer. A dynamic and inventive performer, Stewart has a remarkable ability to coax unexpected-even magical-sounds out of virtually any resonating object or material. He has performed with many internationally acclaimed musicians including George Lewis, Roswell Rudd, Bill Dixon, William Parker, Evan Parker, Joe Mcphee, Michael Snow, and many others. He is currently a member of the David Mott Quintet and Tallboys, a trio featuring virtuoso musicians Kevin Breit on guitar and Matt Brubeck on cello. He also leads his own groups and performs regularly as a soloist at festivals across the country and has made numerous compact disc recordings.
After majoring in both visual art and in music as an undergraduate student at the University of Guelph, he went on to complete two Master of Arts degrees concurrently at York University in Toronto: one in ethnomusicology and another in music composition. His composition teachers included James Tenney and David Mott. In 2008, Stewart completed doctoral level studies at the University of Guelph where he was the first recipient of the Brock Doctoral Scholarship, the university's most prestigious graduate award. He now teaches music composition at Carleton University in Ottawa.
About TEDx:
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxCarletonU, where x=independently organized TED event. At our TEDxCarletonU event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.