Rory Stuart is a critically acclaimed jazz guitarist and composer based in New York. As a leader, he has CDs that have received 4 stars in Downbeat, and been voted 10 best of the year in Coda and Cadence. He has performed around the world, including Switzerland, South Korea, Sweden, Argentina, Singapore, Canada, Greece, India, Brazil, Italy, Bahamas, Israel, Chile, Austria, Iceland, Columbia, Czech Republic, Spain, Denmark, Kazakhstan, Germany, Poland, and across the United States. His Quartet regularly performs to sold-out crowds in New York City as well.

Rory has performed as leader or co-leader in groups with George Garzone, Billy Harper, John Ellis, Jaleel Shaw, Glenn Wilson, Ernie Krivda, Robert Glasper, Armen Donelian, Marc Copland, Kevin Hayes, Jason Lindner, Cecil Bridgewater, Jack Walrath, Sheila Jordan, Jean Rohe, Becca Stevens, Anthony Cox, Reggie Workman, Francois Moutin, Matt Penman, Brandon Owens, Chris Tordini, John Lockwood, Doug Weiss, Calvin Hill, Chip Jackson, Keith Copeland, John Riley, Dan Weiss, Ari Hoenig, Dafnis Prieto, and Obed Calvaire. A recent trio featured Rajna Swaminathan on mrdangam, and Francesco Geminiani on saxophone. In 2016, he performed with Greg Osby, Dave Douglas, Mark Soskin, Matt Penman,and Greg Hutchinson as part of the NYJazzMasters.

As a sideman, he worked with a wide variety of jazz artists, including Charlie Rouse, Charles Earland, Steve Nelson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Ernie Krivda, Larry Coryell, Bill Doggett, Makanda Ken McIntyre, Bill Saxton, and the Keith Copeland Coalition with John Stubblefield and Joe Locke. He performed in Europe in Steve Coleman's band with Geri Allen, Graham Haynes, and Cassandra Wilson, and is considered an early contributor to the MBASE movement. He appeared as a guest with Vincent Herring’s group in Switzerland and with Michael Wolff in Innsbruck, Austria.

Rory also teaches at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York, where he designed and teaches the advanced rhythm curriculum. He has led the rhythm area at New School since 1992, and recently received the Recognition of Teaching Excellence Award, the school’s highest honor to faculty. He also has taught around the world, including directing workshops in Singapore (Jazz at the Red Dot, 2017 and 2018), Italy (Veneto Jazz, 2011–2108), and Seoul Korea (2007–2008), teaching workshops in Poland, (NY Jazz Masters 2016 and 2019), Argentina (La Plata), Austria (Jazz Outreach), Columbia (Bucaramanga), and Switzerland (Jazz Langnau), and giving presentations at Berkelee College of Music, International Association of Jazz Educators (NY, 2001 and 2007), International Rhythmic Studies Association (2015), and the International Society for Improvised Music (2014). In addition, he has taught clinics in India, Chile, Italy, Argentina, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Denmark, and, as a Fulbright Scholar, in Czech Republic, Sweden, Austria, Greece, Portugal, Germany, and Iceland. The list of his former students reads like a “Who’s Who” of rising young jazz artists.

He has received grants from Meet the Composer and the National Endowment for the Arts. He was the recipient of a Fulbright Scholar Award for 2013–2014. He's been interviewed in CADENCE, and a feature article on him appeared in GUITAR PLAYER.

In 2018, the first two volumes of his Rhythm Book series (“The Rhythm Book”) were published by Hal Leonard; in 2019, the remaining four volumes are being published by Rhythm & Dues LLC (for more information, please see /…thmbooks.com).