"When you think of the opera singers, the image of a Black man from Harlem rarely comes to mind. But baritone-turned-tenor singer Noah Stewart has changed that. Fresh off a European tour, the world renowned jazz singer touched down at Minton's, a jazz house in Harlem for a Hennessy-hosted welcome-home party on Monday (June 16). The iconic venue, home of some of the first Harlem Renaissance jam sessions, where bebop was born and where Duke Ellington sharpened his pianist chops, was fitting for the new face of Harlem’s jazz scene. 'I have been on the road a lot but now that I am back in Harlem I plan to bring the energy of the Harlem Renaissance back,' Stewart told BET.com, who grew up in the historic Sugar Hill. 'I love opera and there is nothing like being back here to share my experiences.' Stewart performed his first opera as a student at the famed Fiorello LaGuardia High School. He then went on to further harness his craft at the Juilliard School. From there he gained recognition singing backup for Coolio and other big names before breaking into the classical music community, which inevitably thrust him onto the international main stage. But his road to opera singing sensation was often lonely. 'I decided I wanted to pursue opera because no one looked like me,' Stewart said in between boisterous sets.
'When I was growing up everyone wanted to be a rap artist or the next pop star.' A story that is synonymous with other aspiring artists, Stewart faced adversity during his journey. He poked fun at his naysayers as he performed Barbara Streisand's 'Everybody Says Don't,' entertaining the crowd with his angelic voice and cunning lyrics all at once. But after his international success, becoming the first Black man to have a No. 1 album on the U.K. classic charts in 2012, Stewart is still doing him and creating his legacy. 'Growing up in NYC, it's [important] to sit back and reflect on everything you did because the city moves so fast,' Stewart said. 'Now I can sit back and look at what I have done and my goals and say, 'I did that.'' His moment of reflection at home will be brief. In the fall, Noah debuts La Boheme with the Nashville Opera, then returns to Michigan Opera Theater in Puccini's Madame Butterfly." [Source] Click here for more about Noah Stewart. Watch a video from the Michigan Opera Theatre performances of The Pearl Fishers, after the jump.
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"Just a few years ago Noah Stewart was working as a receptionist in a concert call, humming loudly as he worked in the hope that a passing impresario might recognise the power of his voice. Born to a single mother in Harlem, New York, the tenor was struggling to realise his dream of becoming a professional opera singer in a notorious competitive industry. But yesterday Stewart was relishing the honour becoming the first black musician to top the British classical music charts, with his debut album Noah. With a stint at the Royal Opera House already his belt and a UK tour to follow, international stardom beckons. 'I can’t really believe it,' he said yesterday. It was only three years ago that I remember hearing talk like ‘did you hear about Noah? Is he still singing?’ People gave up on me entirely. So it’s hard to believe that I’m sitting here with all this going on.' Stewart's is a classic rags to riches story, with a couple of jumps between the two in between. Raised, along with his sister, by his mother, Patricia, in Harlem, New York, Stewart always knew he could sing. As his mother worked tirelessly to put food on the table and support him, he won his first competition aged 12, and enrolled in LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts in New York. His love of opera began when he began watching a recording every day before classes of Verdi’s Requiem. Inspired by the black soprano Leontyne Price, he recognised how far he might go." [Source] Read more about Noah Stewart at Decca Records by clicking here and purchase the album by clicking here. A music video performance is after the jump.
