Stewart started his playing career in the Forest of Dean with the Lydbrook Band, progressing through their ranks to the position of Solo Euphonium.  A move to local rivals, Cinderford,  followed where he played for 2 years until he received a call from the Sun Life Band, Bristol.  Stewart moved bands and instruments, changing to the Eb bass, in the summer of 1990 just a few months before their historic win at the British Open in the September.  Several successful years followed until the bands untimely demise in 1997 during which time the band won numerous South West Area championships and a victory at the 1993 World Music Concours held in Kerkrade, Holland.

The Flowers Band then secured Stewarts services where he continued his winning ways at the South West Area and added a win at the Grand Shield to his growing list of contest successes.

A move to the Millennium double champions, BAYV Cory, came in the February of 2001 along with a change of instrument to BBb bass.  Again area success followed with a hat trick of wins between 2002 and 2004.  During his time in Wales Stewart also increased his tally of British Open wins with victory at the 2002 contest.

Early 2005 saw a return to Eb bass and Flowers band where he stayed until joining the Fodens Band in the summer of 2006.  Stewarts’ success at Area contests and the British Open has followed him to Fodens with four consecutive wins at the NW area and victory at the 2008 British Open.

Stewart is relishing the opportunity to lead the bass team at the band and continue the tradition of providing a strong, solid foundation for the world class team of performers he has the honour of supporting on a weekly basis.