The Jamie Stewart Band

Band arrives for setup one hour before the venue is open to patrons.
Sound check is 30 minutes prior to patrons arrival (sound engineer must be present).
Band will stay off stage until show starts.
Each set is 50 minutes long followed by a ten minute break.

Jamie Stewart (Jazz Singer)

Jamie Stewart (born March 13, 1975), is an American jazz singer, educator, and director, known for his smooth vocal style and his work both on stage and behind the scenes in music and theater. With a career spanning more than two decades, Stewart has become a versatile performer, teacher, and creator.

Professional History in Music

Jamie Stewart’s music career began with a deep passion for jazz, particularly influenced by Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. He has performed across Arkansas and neighboring states, offering solo gigs, as well as leading small bands and full big bands. His performances feature classic jazz standards and original music, with live brass and dynamic arrangements. He recently released a single on Spotify and Apple Music, and he continues to develop new projects, including original compositions with live orchestration.

In addition to performing, Stewart has been teaching voice lessons for over 16 years at Wildwood Park for the Arts. He is especially known for coaching existing bands and backup singers, helping them transition into lead roles, and mentoring vocalists already working in the industry. Stewart also specializes in audition preparation and guiding composers through their creative projects.

He studied music composition at Ouachita Baptist University under W. Francis McBeth and Belmont University under pianist Bill Purcell, developing his skills in composition and vocal performance.

Professional History in Theater

In addition to his musical achievements, Jamie Stewart has made significant contributions to theater, particularly in education. Since 2008, he has been a music and theater instructor at Southwest Christian Academy, where he directs student performances, including the annual “Sounds of Christmas” show and full-scale musical productions like Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.

Stewart is also active in community theater. His roles include productions such as Fiddler on the Roof (2014), A Christmas Carol (2017, 2018), and White Christmas (2022). His work extends to directing and vocal coaching, with notable credits such as Cinderella (2023) and Sweeney Todd (2024).

Jamie is currently writing a musical about the legendary Vapors nightclub in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Combining jazz standards and original compositions, the musical aims to capture the essence of the glamorous yet mysterious nightclub era.

Personal Life

Jamie Stewart was born James Russell Stewart III in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to James Russell Stewart Jr. and Sharon Diane Davis Stewart. He has one sister, Jillian Sharon Stewart (Hughes), born in 1978, who married Christopher James Leon Hughes of San Antonio, Texas. The family moved to Little Rock in 1980 when Jamie’s father began working for Raywick Manufacturing Company.

Stewart attended Cloverdale Christian Academy from Kindergarten to 6th grade, then moved to Southwest Christian Academy, where his parents founded the school in 1987. A straight-A student, he initially aspired to become a fighter pilot and astronaut, attending Space Camp in 9th grade and earning the “Right Stuff” award. However, after being advised that his poor eyesight would prevent him from entering a military academy, Stewart shifted focus.

He attended Central Arkansas Christian School from 10th to 12th grade, where he excelled both in football and theater, performing lead roles in Oklahoma! and Shenandoah. Stewart graduated with a 3.95 GPA, vice president of the student body.

Jamie went on to study music composition at Ouachita Baptist University, where he met his future wife, Jan Rochelle Forbes, whom he married in 1996. After leaving college to support his wife’s nursing education, Jamie moved to Nashville to complete his degree at Belmont University.

Jamie and Jan have three children: James Russell Stewart IV, born in 2004; Franklin Thomas Stewart, born in 2005; and Sarah Grace Stewart, born in 2010. After relocating to Little Rock following the great recession and family health challenges, Stewart became a teacher at Southwest Christian Academy. Jamie and Jan divorced in 2023.

Stewart has since re-established himself in the Arkansas theater scene, balancing his roles as an educator, director, and performer while continuing to pursue his jazz singing career.