Album Notes

First Time Over is Tom Stewart's debut CD. It is a jazz guitar trio with Tom on Guitar, Mark Neuenschwander on bass, and Sava Boyadjiev on drums. It has a modern sound and a well-developed harmonic sensibility.

As one reviewer wrote: "Anyone who is interested in jazz will probably enjoy this CD from beginning to end." (Paula Cronic, Daily Vidette.) Brian Orloff, of the St. Petersburg Times, wrote: "The album hones and sustains a subdued groove, through intimate-sounding compositions and a steady juxtaposition of Stewart's cozy guitar strumming and cymbal-flecked percussion."

Bruce Bernardini, of JazzReview.com wrote: "This group...shows an immersion in true color and texture that catches your ears saying, "This is wonderful." The ballads here are delightful, and are in perfect melodic harmony. For example, in the song Maybe Next Time, Stewart uses great chording. This, along with his solos, are second to none. I am very pleased to hear such emotion expressed in this CD.

Mr. Bernardini continues: “This is Stewart's forthcoming CD, go buy it! It's like no other sound you will hear throughout your jazz adventure. I give it a 4 out of 5 on my jazz-o-meter."

Tom was born in Tampa, Florida in 1966. He grew up in Boca Raton, Florida. As a young child he took piano lessons, but switched to guitar as a teenager. Tom graduated from Berklee College of Music, cum laude, in 1990. He then went to law school, graduating in 1993. While practicing civil trial law full time, he studied business in the local university's MBA program. For ten years, he represented some of America's largest, most well-known corporations and insurance companies in litigation.

Throughout this time, Tom continued to pursue his original passion: writing and playing jazz. In 2003, he ultimately decided to leave the law, devoting himself full time to music. In 2006, he released his debut trio CD, “First Time Over.” Tom lives in St. Petersburg, Florida with his wife, Sandy. He is busy practicing, writing, performing and recording jazz.