STUART McCALLUM

Stuart McCallum is a guitarist, composer, producer, researcher and educator whose work sits at the intersection of jazz, folk, ambient music and electronica. Blending acoustic and electronic elements, his music moves seamlessly between composition and improvisation, drawing diverse influences into a distinctive and personal voice.

At the centre of his solo work is a love of melody, coupled with an exploration of space, texture and atmosphere. Using live looping alongside an expanded palette of guitar sounds and electronics, McCallum creates immersive musical worlds that can shift effortlessly from intimate and delicate to expansive and orchestral. Folk lyricism, jazz spontaneity and cinematic soundscapes coexist within performances that are both carefully crafted and open to discovery.

Alongside his solo work, Stuart is one half of The Breath, the acclaimed collaboration with vocalist Ríoghnach Connolly, signed to Peter Gabriel's Real World Records. He also collaborates regularly with UK drummer Richard Spaven and a wide range of artists across contemporary music.

Stuart first came to wider attention through his work with The Cinematic Orchestra, contributing guitar and writing to their Ma Fleur and Live at the Royal Albert Hall albums, and Disney's award-winning soundtrack The Crimson Wing. Since then, his career has encompassed collaborations with artists including Jordan Rakei, JP Cooper, Manu Delago, John Surman, Kenny Wheeler, Donny McCaslin, Ari Hoenig, Danny Thompson, Martin Hayes and Michael McGoldrick.

Interwoven with his creative practice, Stuart's research explores immersive audio and emerging music technologies. He is Professor of Guitar, Composition and Production at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Performing internationally as both a solo artist and collaborator, Stuart continues to develop a body of work defined by curiosity, experimentation and an ongoing search for a unique musical voice.