Hailing from Sutherland Shire in Sydney's southern suburbs , Stuart's love for music developed at a very early age. Several years of bashing on pots and pans in his mother’s kitchen, accumulating countless bent knitting needles, his mother decided to seek him some drum tuition. At only six years of age, his tutor thought he was too young to learn however Stuart proved him wrong and embraced music pedagogy manifesting his love affair with music. Stuart spent his childhood years actively involved in community brass bands and musical theatre companies, where he played his first professional gig at the age of twelve in the Rockdale Musical Societies production of “Little Miss Sunshine”. Stuart made a name for himself in the theatre circles, securing regular work across Sydney. He played venues such as Her Majesties Theatre, Sydney Opera House, and Sydney Entertainment Centre under the baton of the late maestro Tommy Tycho. Stuart was also actively involved in music competitions at a community, regional, state, and national level. At the age of thirteen Stuart competed in the NSW side drum championships in Toronto on the NSW mid North Coast taking out first place.
By now Stuart had commenced high school at Sylvania High where his love affair with rock music flourished. With his extensive musical background and growing reputation as a accomplished drummer he was recruited by senior year twelve students. After a few months of persistent rehearsals they had their set polished, booking their first pub gig at the Lansdowne Hotel in Sydney under the name Glass Onion. The youngest band member by five years and under age for pub gigs, Stuart relished in the live rock scene gigging regularly throughout the Sydney pub circuit for eight years. ‘Glass Onion’ released several albums over the years, their most successful was ‘Feed the Creep’ in 1992. In 1994 the band won a JJJ band competition and toured with American rockers Bad Brains along side local big guns ‘The Meanies’ and ‘Massapeal’. The tour came to an end, and so did the band, parting ways after a glimpse of success.
It was at this time Stuart picked up the guitar and started to teach him self to strum. At first learning a few chords from guitar magazines, soon enough he became infatuated with the instrument and it was here he would focus all his musical energy. Stuart slogged away learning the basics before enlisting the expertise of a reputable tutor to fulfil his musical desire to learn and understand the instrument.
In 2000 Stuart moved from the safe haven of Sydney’s southern beaches and headed north, settling in Ballina on the NSW far North Coast. It was here Stuart met Sam Shine a guitar lecturer at Southern Cross University; the pair became great friends performing in a myriad of different bands over the years. It was Sam’s influence that encouraged Stuart to pursue his own brand of original music and to perform as a solo artist. With new found inspiration, Stuart set out to make solo performing his musical priority. After many hours in the rehearsal studio Stuart put together three sets of cover tunes by his favourite artists Bernard Fanning, Jack Johnson, etc Stuart was ready hit the pavement on the hunt for live gigs. In 2010 a very nervous Stuart played his first solo show. 5 years on a regular gigging schedule sees Stuart now working as soloist in the Ballina Byron shire. 2015 will be full of new and challenging musical experiences for Stuart as he will be playing the Toowooba Carnival of Flowers along side Taxi Ride, The Audreys, Meg Mac, Thelma Plum, Josh Pyke, The Beautiful Girls plus many more. To further challenge himself Stuart has returned to his musical studies at Sothern Cross University embarking on a bachelor of contemporary music degree to hone his skills as a performer and songwriter in his quest to perfect his art.
Photographer:Stu Black
Musician: Stu Black