Guitarist Paul Steward has been performing around the North Bay for almost two decades. Now, at 37, he’s trying something new. Last month, he released his first solo album, “World Champion.” Along with the powerful blues guitar playing he’s known for, the album features traditional Native American material, including “Myanik Xe (Beautiful Music),” notable for its melodic chant.
“I am Pomo, a member of the Elem Indian Colony,” Steward said. He grew up on the reservation near Clearlake Oaks and moved to Santa Rosa in 1997. Raised on the reservation, Steward learned his tribal culture from his father and paternal grandparents. He has been a lecturer in Native American studies at Sonoma State University since 2016. He also teaches courses in American Indian studies at San Francisco State University.
Since 2003, Steward and his father, Richard Steward, 71, have performed as the band Twice as Good, also known as 2XG, primarily at Indian casinos.
Paul is a 2023 YBCA Honoree, a 2016 Bohemian NorBay Music Award winner, 2013 Indian Summer Fest Music Award Winner, a 2010 Native American Music Award winner, and a 2010 West Coast Blues Hall of Fame Award winner.
Releasing his debut solo album in 2022, "World Champion", on 2XG Records he has been on an intermittent world tour to promote it. For 20+ years Paul has been the frontman of the group Twice As Good, having released 8 albums and performing 100+ concerts a year for two decades.
Besides leading the band Twice As Good, Paul has performed and recorded with artists Jacques Wilkens, Ras K'dee and Audiopharmacy, Charlie Musselwhite, Big Bill Morganfield, Freddie Hughes, The Bay Area Blues Society Caravan of Allstars, and Robert Watson (the bassist/guitarist).
Steward is an exceptional artist with a great new, solo record. He’s toured the US and globe and is someone whom I hope to get to hear live soon. He’s a fantastic singer and guitarist and his songs and performances blend soul and blues and everything else into a delightful sound that grabs the listener. Highly recommended! Blues Blast Magazine
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