-
Stewart Forbes was a professional musician and instrumental instructor for almost 20 years prior to commencing as a saxophone tutor on the BA Applied Music course and associate lecturer at the National Jazz Institute. It was in 1998 that Stewart became an intrinsic member of the BAAM course team, as a part-time temporary lecturer specializing in Jazz subject areas. In 2000 Stewart wrote and launched the modules and teaching materials for the highly acclaimed BA Applied Music Jazz Strand. This led to progressively greater teaching demands at the University, leading to full time permanent appointment as a music lecturer in 2002.
Teaching interests
Stewart is module leader of Jazz Studies modules I and II on the BA Applied Music. Curriculum, materials development and delivery of Creative Skills, Music in its Social, Historical & Cultural Context, and Orchestration I form the balance of Stewart's academic responsibilities. In Ensemble work, Stewart manages and directs the award winning Strathclyde University Jazz Orchestra (winners of the BBC Big Band Competition in 2001 & 2004) and the new Intermediate Jazz Ensemble. Stewart has also taught PGDE music students, with special focus on "improvisation in the classroom".
Performance/Research
Since graduation in 2002, with a Masters Degree of Music (Jazz Studies) from Leeds College of Music (Leeds University), Stewart is pursuing entry to Doctorate studies at Salford University (DMA in Performance). As a practising artist, Stewart Forbes continues to perform and record. A founder member of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, Stewart is now artistic director of the Scottish Composers Jazz Ensemble; an ensemble primarily dedicated to the commissioning of new works from Scottish based writers. The SCJE recently appeared at the RSAMD, as part of the Glasgow International Jazz Festival 2007, with featured soloist James Gourlay (Head of Music, RSAMD).
As a performer, Stewart Forbes has appeared with all the leading Scottish orchestras, such as the RSNO, BBCSSO, Scottish Opera and Scottish Chamber Orchestra. In the sphere of Jazz, Stewart Forbes has appeared with the BBC Big Band and Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Randy Crawford, George Shearing, Clark Terry, James Moody, Billy May and Kenny Wheeler. Stewart was also responsible for assembling and performing in a Jazz Orchestra for the American composer Carla Bley, in order to premier a new GIJF commission. At Jordanhill campus in 2007, Stewart assembled a special rehearsal Jazz Orchestra for Frank Perowski, Musical Director to Liza Minnelli. This ensemble plan to embark on a commercial recording project later in 2007.
Stewart is also artistic director of the renowned Strathclyde Youth Jazz Orchestra, based at Jordanhill campus. SYJO feature regularly at the Glasgow International Jazz Festival, and are recognized as the premier training organisation in the field of Jazz ensemble work.