~Sam Miller,
Hattiesburg American
Meghan Stewart was born in 1986 in a small Alabama town called Montevallo, where her music influences began. Her parents both studied music, her mother serving as the pianist, organist, and musical director at their local church. Under her parents' influence she was surrounded by Southern hymns and classical musical, and under her grandparents' influence she was introduced to jazz. Her paternal grandmother and grandfather both played saxophone in the era of swing and big bands; her grandfather played with the 4th Army Regiment Band alongside Vic Damone, so his teachings helped spark an interest in Meghan early on. She was encouraged to take up classical piano at an early age, and by grade school was playing and singing at the church. Since her small high school didn't have a choir, her mom encouraged her to take up vocal lessons, which is where her love of music truly became serious. She attended the University of Southern Mississippi and studied opera and choral education.
Close to graduation, she veered away from the classical repertoire and joined a friend and guitar player's jazz band, singing and gigging throughout Southern Mississippi. She decided to further her education in jazz by moving to its birthplace, New Orleans, and immerse herself in the music and history. She studied contemporary voice under the award-winning musician, songwriter, and teacher Cindy Scott, which is where she began to develop a more intimate approach to singing. While still loving a wide range of music, she mainly performs modern and contemporary jazz standards, evolving them to fit her and her band's style. She is currently performing and leading her band throughout many bars, venues, and hotels in New Orleans.