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Mike Stern

One of the premier guitarists of his generation, the three-time Grammy nominee was born on January 10, 1953 in Boston. After growing up in Washington D.C., he returned to Boston to study at the Berklee College of Music and got his start as a guitar player with Blood, Sweat & Tears at the age of 22. Following a stint with Billy Cobham's powerhouse fusion band from 1979-1980, Mike moved to New York City and was recruited by Miles Davis and played a key role in his celebrated comeback band of 1981 (which also included bassist Marcus Miller, drummer Al Foster, percussionist Mino Cinelu and saxophonist Bill Evans). During his three-year period with Miles, Mike appeared on three recordings with the jazz maestro - Man With The Horn, Star People and the live We Want Miles. From 1983 to 1984, he toured with Jaco Pastorius' Word of Mouth band and in 1985 returned to Miles' lineup for a second tour of duty that lasted close to a year.

In the summer of 1986, Stern went out on the road with David Sanborn and later joined an electrified edition of Steps Ahead which featured Mike Mainieri on midi vibes, Michael Brecker on the Electronic Wind Instrument (EWI), Darryl Jones on electric bass and Steve Smith on drums. Stern made his first recording as a leader for the Japanese Trio label (1985's Neesh) before making his debut on Atlantic Records in 1986 with Upside Downside, featuring such celebrated colleagues as Sanborn, Pastorius, saxophonist Bob Berg, bassists Mark Egan and Jeff Andrews, keyboardist Mitch Forman and drummers Dave Weckl and Steve Jordan. From 1986 through 1988, Mike was a member of Michael Brecker's potent quintet, appearing on Don't Try This At Home. Stern's second Atlantic album, 1988's Time In Place, continued the promise of his debut. He followed that in succession with 1989's Jigsaw and 1991's Odds Or Evens, both of which ably showcased his legendary guitar prowess and musicality. During this period he also formed a touring group with saxophonist Berg that included drummer Dennis Chambers and bassist Lincoln Goines. They remained a working unit from 1989 to 1992, at which point Stern joined a reunited Brecker Brothers Band, appearing on 1992's Return of the Brecker Brothers. (Other notable sideman credits include work with the late, great tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson and the recent live recording 4 Generations of Miles, in which the guitarist joins with other Miles Davis alumni George Coleman on tenor sax, Jimmy Cobb on drums and Ron Carter on bass).

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Radio & Podcasts

Eleven is the Loneliest Number

Read "Eleven is the Loneliest Number" reviewed by Patrick Burnette


Many years ago, bastard Mike suggested that our anniversary shows feature groups comprised of as many members as the anniversary was of years. How's that for a mouthful (mindful?) Anyway, good idea until right about now. Eleven is an awkward number unless you're fielding a footie team, and the boys have some issues finding albums that fit the bill or even glance in the direction of this anniversary. Next year, all bets are off.Playlist Discussion of Gil Evans' ...

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Album Review

House of Waters: On Becoming

Read "On Becoming" reviewed by Jim Worsley


Flowing in many directions yet forever staying in the moment is largely the challenge and artistic purpose of House of Waters. Here they once again bring forth new and creative concepts that are freely exchanged and intertwined. New beginnings, drawn from multiple sources, as well as further exploration of the past, create the wonder, awe, and awareness of On Becoming. The dulcimer was not part of mainstream culture until Max ZT put it on the map. Joining with six string ...

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In Pictures

Mike Stern Band from the Piacenza Jazz Fest 2023 at the President Theatre

Read "Mike Stern Band from the Piacenza Jazz Fest 2023 at the President Theatre" reviewed by Danilo Codazzi


A collection of photos from the Mike Stern Band concert at the President Theatre in Piacenza on April 6, 2023 featuring Mike Stern, Leni Stern, Bob Franceschini, Chris Minh Doky, and Dennis Chambers. ...

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Live Review

Mike Stern Live at the Birchmere

Read "Mike Stern Live at the Birchmere" reviewed by Dave Dorkin


Mike Stern The Birchmere Alexandria, Virginia February 8, 2023 Mike Stern brought his band to the Birchmere for a rousing set of jazz and fusion as energetic as Stern has ever been, even at 70 years of age. The set spanned works from Stern's most recent recordings all the way back to an updated version of his classic tune “Chromazone." Mike's rhythm section featured Baltimore-area legends Dennis Chambers on drums and Gary Grainger on ...

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Radio & Podcasts

Mike Stern, John Scofield, Chris Potter, Plus New And Recent Releases

Read "Mike Stern, John Scofield, Chris Potter, Plus New And Recent Releases" reviewed by Len Davis


Old favourites from Niacin, Nguyen Le, Chris Potter, John Scofield and Mike Stern. Plus Janek Gwizdala, Terri Lyne Carrington and Benny Rietveld. Playlist Niacin “Panic Button" from Deep (Magna Carta) 00:00 Nguyen Le “South Saturn Delta" from Purple ACT) Time Marker Chris Potter “Next Best Western" from Underground Quartet (Universal) Time Marker Janek Gwizdala “Time Stands Still" from Mystery To Me (Self Produced) Time Marker Terri Lyne Carrington “Hobo's Flat" from Real Life Story (Verve) Time Marker Benny ...

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Album Review

Dan Costa: Beams

Read "Beams" reviewed by Craig Arthur


UK-born pianist Dan Costa plays and composes in the impressionistic tradition of Bill Evans, acoustic Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea or Marcin Wasilewski. It is a style that lends itself well to the alchemy of turning light into music, music into light. And his subject matter of choice on Beams, like that of an impressionist painter, is indeed light. He describes the album as “a celebration of light in some key physical and metaphysical forms." Light is like water, ...

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Liner Notes

Bass Extremes: S'Low Down

Read "Bass Extremes: S'Low Down" reviewed by Chris Jisi


Thirty years ago, a simple pairing changed the trajectory of bass. Steve Bailey and Victor Wooten, bonded by their mutual fretboard wizardry, sharp wit, and teaching philosophies, formed Bass Extremes, and the instrument and its community were forever transformed. The concept was quite ambitious. Steve was a rapidly ascending anchor for Dizzy Gillespie, Paquito D'Rivera and the Rippingtons, who had found his voice on the 6-string fretless bass and was taking the instrument to uncharted heights, with a soon to ...

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Award / Grant

For Your Grammy Consideration: Guitar-virtuoso Roman Miroshnichenko Presents New Album, Featuring Mike Stern, London Symphony, and Jennifer Batten

For Your Grammy Consideration: Guitar-virtuoso Roman Miroshnichenko Presents New Album, Featuring Mike Stern, London Symphony, and Jennifer Batten

Source: All About Jazz

Prominent guitar virtuoso and producer Roman Miroshnichenko presents his new material Roman Miroshnichenko plays Stas Namin, which includes Miroshnichenko's original arrangements of six selected pieces and melodies originally composed by renown producer Stas Namin, who's mostly known as Gorky Park rock-band founder. “When one listens to the powerful guitar playing of Roman Miroschnichenko, it is easy to be reminded of Al Di Meola and John McLaughlin during his Mahavishnu period, but it soon becomes apparent that Miroschnichenko has his own ...

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Recording

Contempo-Jazz Guitarist B.D. Lenz 'It's Just A Dream' Releases On November 1st With Mike Stern & Randy Brecker!

Contempo-Jazz Guitarist B.D. Lenz 'It's Just A Dream' Releases On November 1st With Mike Stern & Randy Brecker!

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

Contempo jazz guitarist B.D. Lenz returns with It's Just A Dream, his 13th recording as a leader and features one of his long-time heroes, Mike Stern, on guitar along with the legendary Randy Brecker on trumpet. It’s Just a Dream began as a small writing project during COVID and blossomed into a full release with ten original compositions of Lenz’s signature blend of jazz, funk, and rock. The New Jersey native says, “I never intended to write a whole record ...

Video / DVD

Mike Stern: 10 Favorite Videos

Mike Stern: 10 Favorite Videos

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

Yesterday I posted my interview with Mike Stern, a superb jazz-rock guitarist who came up at the end of the 1970s. In my post, I also mentioned that Mike has a residency at New York's 55 bar and that he will be performing at 92NY on July 28 to close out the cultural institution’s Jazz in July series that begins July 19. As noted, Mike will be joined by Chris Potter and Nicole Glover on saxophones, Bill Charlap on piano ...

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Interview

Interview: Mike Stern

Interview: Mike Stern

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

The arrival of rock guitarists on TV shows, at concerts and on the radio in the mid-1960s and the emergence of the artist-controlled rock album in the late ‘60s led to a seismic change in jazz. Many young budding jazz musicians found themselves admirers of pop-rock and rock—or at least the larger incomes those forms generated and the increased attention by young audiences and the media. The result of these dual allegiances—to jazz and rock—produced a hybrid that became known ...

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Career

Jazz Fusion Drummer Bob Holz To Be Featured On Jazziz Magazine's Summer CD And Recording With Guitar Legend Mike Stern

Jazz Fusion Drummer Bob Holz To Be Featured On Jazziz Magazine's Summer CD And Recording With Guitar Legend Mike Stern

Source: Glass Onyon PR - William James

Roy Holland Productions announced today that renowned jazz fusion drummer and composer, Bob Holz has a busy Summer 2018 schedule with a featured song on Jazziz Magazine's Summer CD, a concert in jny: Detroit, a recording session in jny: New York City with jazz great Mike Stern and a series of record dates in jny: Los Angeles. On June 12th Jazziz Magazine will feature Holz's tune, “Jammim Man" on their Summer CD. The tune is off Bob's most recent album ...

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Recording

Guitarist Ramin Partovi To Release His Breakout Album Featuring Scott Henderson, Simon Phillips, Carl Verheyen, Jimmy Johnson, Mike Stern

Guitarist Ramin Partovi To Release His Breakout Album Featuring Scott Henderson, Simon Phillips, Carl Verheyen, Jimmy Johnson, Mike Stern

Source: Glass Onyon PR - William James

Aviator and Hollywood guitarist Ramin Partovi is about to release his breakout album 27 Faces Of A Broken Heart with a completely new concept. The album features an all-star line-up with Scott Henderson, Simon Phillips, Carl Verheyen, Jimmy Johnson, Mike Stern and several others. The double CD is a unique idea where several well known musicians demonstate peak performances on the same song structure and all align to portrait a united message. Ramin Partovi early on in his life gravitated ...

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Recording

Award Winning Guitarist Brian Tarquin To Release "Orlando In Heaven" In Support Of Orlando's Pulse Nightclub Tragedy Feat. Larry Coryell, Mike Stern, Chris Poland And Others

Award Winning Guitarist Brian Tarquin To Release "Orlando In Heaven" In Support Of Orlando's Pulse Nightclub Tragedy Feat. Larry Coryell, Mike Stern, Chris Poland And Others

Source: Glass Onyon PR - William James

Multi-Emmy award winning guitarist/producer/composer Brian Tarquin presents Orlando In Heaven; a very special project featuring an incredible cast of musical virtuosos playing their hearts out for the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida! Tarquin composed and produced each of these tracks and displays his own guitar prowess alongside such world-class players as guitar icon Larry Coryell (his final recordings before his passing earlier this year), vocalist Phil Naro (Talas, Julian Lennon), Grammy jazz guitarist Mike Stern, fretless ...

Performance / Tour

Jazz this week: Mike Stern & Kimberly Thompson, George Sams, Ralph Towner, Ikue Mori & Nate Wooley, Russell Gunn, and more

Jazz this week: Mike Stern & Kimberly Thompson, George Sams, Ralph Towner, Ikue Mori & Nate Wooley, Russell Gunn, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman

As you might be able to deduce from looking at the headline for this post, it's very busy week for jazz and creative music in St. Louis. Over the next few days, there will be a plethora of visiting performers on local stages, plus the opening of a play about one of the most famous jazz singers ever, free master classes from two guitar greats, and more. Let's go to the highlights... Wednesday, February 15 Guitarist Mike Stern performs for ...

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Recording

UK Bass Virtuoso Shez Raja Releasing All-Star Album On Dot Time Records with Mike Stern and Randy Brecker

UK Bass Virtuoso Shez Raja Releasing All-Star Album On Dot Time Records with Mike Stern and Randy Brecker

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

UK Bass Virtuoso Shez Raja Releasing All-Star Album, Gurutopia Featuring Jazz Legends Randy Brecker and Mike Stern Dot Time Records is pleased to announce Shez Raja's highly anticipated all-star album “Gurutopia" will be released in April 2016. Featuring the cream of the British jazz scene as well as global jazz legends, Mike Stern and Randy Brecker, the recording captures the raw energy of the band's spectacular live show— a sonic kaleidoscope of Indo-jazz, thundering funk, tuneful ragas and euphoric grooves. ...

Recording

Dynamic Bassist Tony Grey's New Album Elevation Features John Mclaughlin, Mike Stern, Whitesnake's Reb Beach, Tomoyasu Hotei, David Fiuczynski And Others

Dynamic Bassist Tony Grey's New Album Elevation Features John Mclaughlin, Mike Stern, Whitesnake's Reb Beach, Tomoyasu Hotei, David Fiuczynski  And Others

Source: Abstract Logix

Los Angeles, CA: Besides being some of the greatest musicians ever known, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Hiromi, John McLaughlin, Branford Marsalis, Zakir Hussain, Mike Stern and Steve Lukather all have something else in common. At one time or another, these legendary artists have counted on the supportive, melodic and propulsive bass playing of the amazing Tony Grey. Artists of such stature and virtuosity do not trust just anybody to hold down the foundations of their music. They seek out the ...

B.D. Lenz
guitar
Peter Knoll
guitar
Pete Sklaroff
guitar, electric
Shambhu
guitar, acoustic
J.Cordes
guitar, acoustic
Ye Huang
clarinet
Brain Salad
band / ensemble / orchestra
Jack Taylor
guitar
Brian Grace
saxophone
Ron Bosse
guitar
Modern Times Ensemble
band / ensemble / orchestra
Cobbs
band / ensemble / orchestra

Photos

Concerts

May 10 Fri
May 12 Sun

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Keep Swingin'

Outside in Music
2024

buy

Beams

Dan Costa
2023

buy

Wig Glue (Single)

Self Produced
2023

buy

Chicken Or Pasta

Self Produced
2023

buy

On Becoming

GroundUP Music
2023

buy

Encaminho

From: Beams
By Mike Stern

Africa

From: Roman Miroshnichenko plays Stas...
By Mike Stern

Spaghetti Western

From: Chicken Or Pasta
By Mike Stern

Our Darker Angels (feat. Mike Stern)

From: It's Just a Dream
By Mike Stern

Watch Your Step

From: Fifth And Adams
By Mike Stern

Videos

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