Austin Stewart grew up in a musical family. He was born in Oklahoma and raised in Kansas City. From a young age, he was captivated by the jazz records that his father and grandfather had in their collection, listening to artists like Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans and Dave Brubeck.
He relocated to Portland, Ore, in 2003, and began teaching at the Oregon Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps (2004 Div III World Champions), high school drumlines, private lessons and performed with Diggin' Deeper/Copacrescent, an instrumental hip hop band. He also started a career in Public Relations at Waggener Edstrom, consulting for clients in technology, government, education, and non-profit sectors. In 2010, he began advising the marketing team for My Voice Music, a non-profit that engages youth in music and performance in order to promote self-esteem, social skills and emotional expression. He performs in the area with his bluegrass friends, Cow Paddy Stompers, and previously with roots rock groups including Up at Seven, The Ragged Word and Rhododendron. In 2013, he released a debut album as a bandleader, Shake It Out.
He relocated to Portland, Ore, in 2003, and began teaching at the Oregon Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps (2004 Div III World Champions), high school drumlines, private lessons and performed with Diggin' Deeper/Copacrescent, an instrumental hip hop band. He also started a career in Public Relations at Waggener Edstrom, consulting for clients in technology, government, education, and non-profit sectors. In 2010, he began advising the marketing team for My Voice Music, a non-profit that engages youth in music and performance in order to promote self-esteem, social skills and emotional expression. He performs in the area with his bluegrass friends, Cow Paddy Stompers, and previously with roots rock groups including Up at Seven, The Ragged Word and Rhododendron. In 2013, he released a debut album as a bandleader, Shake It Out.