We are getting ready for the return of Salem Stomp!

One of our favorite gatherings of family and friends, in the heart of Bear Creek out near Scio, OR. Such a lovely gathering of friends, live music, and a strong sense of community. 

This year we are in for a treat! Syco Billy's String Band and Dead Sometimes on Friday evening. We'll kick things off on Saturday followed by Cow Paddy Stompers, Aniana, The Muddy Souls, and the Galen Clark, Andy Coe, and Carlin White trio, it's gonna be a hoot!

The only question is what are you going to bring to the potluck?

C'mon out! 

Do you like beer, spirits, live music, and hanging in beer gardens? Join us for the Ruse Brewing Anniversary Party on Saturday, July 17, 2021 at the PDX Brooklyn Garden, on the corner of SE 17th and 99E in the lot by Ruse Brewing and 503 Distilling. In addition to raising a pint to celebrate some of the most incredible and award-winning beer in the area and sampling some of the fine spirits of 503 Distilling, we'll boogie down to some live music. Free and family friendly!
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Peter LeClair Band kicks things off from 3-5pm with a great mix Americana and indie rock. He has been a staple at Ruse over the years, and in his most recent recordings for the film "Welcome to Happiness," this Multi-instrumentalist treads the line between pop and folk songwriting. Using heartfelt lyricism and catchy melodic sounds, Peter creates a familiar yet new and eclectic experience for all. More info at http://www.peterleclairmusic.com/.

Austin Stewart Quartet will jam from 6-8pm, bringing the instrumental grooves to make your booty move. Mac Brown (guitar), Spencer Finnan (keys), Curtis Waterbury (bass), and Austin Stewart (drums, composer) have released four albums of all original music in the jazz/funk/groove realm, including their most recent release, Live from Ruse Brewing 2020.02.22, recorded just prior to the pandemic. Check out more at http://www.austinstewartquartet.com/.

We released a live video series, Austin Stewart Quartet Live at Ruse Brewing 02.22.2020. It is available at www.youtube.com/austinstewartquartet or click on the playlist to run them in show order.

The videos feature Mac Brown (guitar), Mike Kane (keys), Curtis Waterbury (bass), and Austin Stewart (drums) laying down melodic instrumental grooves and deep jams. Special guest, Christopher John Mead (vocals), sat in on They Harder They Come (Jimmy Cliff) and West L.A. Fadeaway (Grateful Dead) to bring the heat. Always a great time with friends we call family at the award-winning Ruse Brewing.

This was our most recent show, prior to the widespread measures to help mitigate the impact of COVID-19. Stay safe, support local businesses that you love (like Ruse Brewing!), and look out for each other.

We'll be jamming together soon.

Setlist (playlist)
Transcendance
Shake It Out
Heavy
Bonk
Taking the Last Train Home
Wilson's Warbler
Queen's Gambit 
Wiggle Waggle (Herbie Hancock)
The Harder They Come (Jimmy Cliff)
West L.A. Fadeaway (Grateful Dead)
Fruity Pebbles
Rabbit One (Masters of Reality)

UPDATE: CANCELED (COVID-19)

The Austin Stewart Quartet will perform at Ruse Brewing on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 7:00pm. The band features Mac Brown (guitar), Mike Kane (keys), Curtis Waterbury (bass), and Austin Stewart (drums/composer). 

With influences like The Meters, Circles Around the Sun, and Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood, these guys like to jam on original compositions from Austin Stewart that lean into funk and soul jazz influences. Grooves to make your booty move.

Ruse Brewing is one of Portland's award winning new breweries with some of the best beers in the country. They recently won the Best New Brewery and Brewery of the Year (Small) from the 2019 Oregon Beer Awards and they were named the Oregonian's 2019 Brewery of the Year. Shaun and team are some of the best in the business and good times will be had by all with Seth behind the bar.

Join us at Ruse Brewing to welcome special guests Ellen Savaria on vocals and Erik Golts on guitar. Grooves to make your booty move.

The Austin Stewart Quartet will perform at Ruse Brewing on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at 8:00pm. Featuring Mac Brown (guitar), Mike Kane (keys), Curtis Waterbury (bass), and Austin Stewart (drums/composer), the quartet will be joined by killer guitarist Erik Golts and talented vocalist Ellen Savaria. This is gonna be a good one, y'all!

With influences like The Meters, Circles Around the Sun, and Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood, these guys like to jam on original compositions from Austin Stewart that lean into funk and soul jazz influences.

In addition, Ruse Brewing is one of Portland's award winning new breweries with some of the best beers in the country. They recently won the Best New Brewery and Brewery of the Year (Small) from the 2019 Oregon Beer Awards and they were named the Oregonian's 2019 Brewery of the Year. Shaun and team aren't messing around and you are sure to have a great time with Seth behind the bar.

We can't wait to hang out and play some music at one of our favorite breweries in Portland, OR!

The Austin Stewart Quartet will perform at Ruse Brewing on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 8:00pm. Featuring Mac Brown (guitar), Mike Kane (keys), Curtis Waterbury (bass), and Austin Stewart (drums/composer), the quartet focuses on instrumental grooves to make your booty move. 

With influences like The Meters, Circles Around the Sun, and Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood, these guys like to jam on original compositions from Austin Stewart that lean into funk and soul jazz influences.

In addition, Ruse Brewing is one of Portland's amazing new breweries. They recently won the Best New Brewery and Brewery of the Year (Small) from the 2019 Oregon Beer Awards. Shaun and team are the real deal and always a pleasure to get to hang with Seth behind the bar.

Come get a pint and groove with us!

Jazziz Magazine recently featured our album, Bonk, in their new releases section. Check it out!

Check out the new album, Bonk. 

I am pleased to release my third album of original music. A blend of instrumental groove-based jazz and funk, we were fortunate to add trumpeter Farnell Newton (Othership Connection, Jill Scott, Bootsy Collins) to the Quartet.

One of the most versatile musicians in the Pacific Northwest, Farnell regularly sits in with the top groups touring through Portland, sharing the stage with stage with Skerik, Lettuce, Karl Denson, Galactic and the Portland Cello Project. Farnell's contribution to music education is equally impressive and includes founding Jam of the Week, an online community of more than 68,000 musicians that share and encourage personal advancement of the artform.  

In addition to Farnell, the album also features the dynamic combo of Mac Brown (guitar), Spencer Finnan (keys), Drew Nelson (bass), and Austin Stewart (drums/composer), and was recorded on April 30, 2017 at Raven Call Studio in Portland, Oregon. All songs were written, recorded and mixed by Austin Stewart. Mastered by Adam Gonsalves, Telegraph Mastering and released by Instrumental Grooves LLC, in December 2018.

Download:  iTunes, Amazon, Google Play
​Purchase CD: CD Baby
Stream: Spotify

The title track, Bonk, is a reference to a familiar sound around my house. As a father of a 4 year-old and a 2 year-old, it's a regular occurrence to hear the kids take a tumble and "bonk." It's also a reminder that even at a young age, when we have set backs or tough moments, we still naturally get back up and get after it. 

I hope you enjoy these tunes!
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This year, we were honored to have one of our original songs featured in Priced Out, a documentary film about gentrification in Portland, Oregon. 

Priced Out looks at how skyrocketing housing prices are displacing Portland's black community and reshaping the entire city.  Directed and produced by Cornelius Swart, the film explores the complexities and contradictions of gentrification. Priced Out is a sequel to the 2002 documentary NorthEast Passage: The Inner City and the American Dream.

​The music was supervised by Farnell Newton and includes an original score by Spencer Wolf. The film features music from local artists, including Trio Subtonic, Andrew Gorny, Ezra Weiss, Barra Brown, and Farnell Newton. Our song, Where the Road Ends, from our album, Looking for a Sign, was included in the film. It features Mac Brown (guitar), Spencer Finnan (keys), Drew Nelson (bass) and Austin Stewart (drums/composer).

Priced Out premiered locally on Nov.1 2017 at the Northwest Filmmaker's Festival. Since it debuted the film has screened in Los Angeles, St, Louis and Pittsburgh.

​It has been a wonderful experience to hear our music on the big screen. We look forward to more experiences where we can combine music with moving pictures. Please reach out for licensing, scoring or collaboration opportunities.