Mike Stern

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Introduction

Mike Stern (originally Sedgwick) born January 1953, is best known for his work with Miles Davis and as a member of Jaco Pastorius World of Mouth band. He also appeared in Blood, Sweat & Tears as well in Michael Brecker's band. He has also made several solo albums, been voted best jazz guitarist in Guitar Player and have several Grammy nominees. Mike is married to Guitarist/Singer Leni Stern and also have his own club in N.Y city, where he uses to sit in with the musicians playing if he's around.

Education & early career

In the early 70's Mike attended Berkley College of Music, where he had Mick Goodrich as mentor and also became a friend of Pat Metheny. The latter recommended him for Blood, Sweat & Tears when they were searchin for a new guitar player. Mike's early influences included Jimi Hendrix, Jim Hall, Wes Montgomery and other jazz/rock players around. During the years with BST he met Jaco Pastorius who also was a good friend of Pat Metheny and the two of them became friends. It's reported that Jaco often told Mike: "-Man, you must get some flash in Your playing". This maybe encouraged Mike to practice and reach the brilliant technique and timing, which is one of his trademark style wise.

Living in New York

Mike moved to N.Y city after his years at Berkeley, and were jamming on the local clubs, often with Jaco, drummer Adam Nussbaum and Saxophone-player Steve Slagle. (which is confirmed by a bootleg by the name "Live in Old York") During the first years in N.Y he played with BST and also recorded two albums as well as touring with the band. After he left BST, he played with Billy Cobhams band for about 1-1 1/2 year before Miles Davis asked him to join his band.

Taking the audience with storm

Mike's real big break in the world of music came when Miles Davis was releasing his first album in 8 years ("Man with the Horn"), probably due to Miles heavy drug abuse. It has been rumoured since Jimi Hendrix died, that Miles was supposed to make an album with Jimi, but they never made that to happen. Miles was a big fan of the electric guitar and it's no surprise that Mike's playing style was favoured, which is a blend between be-bop, blues and a distorted sound with a lot of energy.

Bill Evans (saxophone player), who's already was working with Miles, was a friend of Mike and he took Miles down to a club where Mike was performing with Billy Cobham. Miles asked Mike to show up on a session next day, and a week later he was called by Miles for the session of "Fat Time". After the first, that were recorded live in the studio, Mike wasn't satisfied and asked for another take - Miles replied: "Fat Time, when you're at a party, you gotta know when to leave."

One song from "Man with the Horn" stands clearly out: "Fat Time", which also was Miles nickname of Mike. "Time" was coming from Miles respect for Mike's timing and "Fat" was actually a friendly poke to Mike, who had a little overweight at that time. Eventually Miles changed it to just "Time" when Mike returned to the band later in the eighties, when he cleaned up from his abuse.

Mike stayed with Miles for 3 years, recorded three albums and made numerous live performances, but due to his drug abuse and alcohol problems, he was asked to leave by Miles. He joined Jaco Pastorius World of Mouth band, Jaco, who also was a lot into drugs by that time, took Mike on a tour to Japan which is also documented on a live album.

Going solo

After he left Jaco Pastorius band in 1985 he cleaned up his personal life and joined Miles band again, replacing John Scofield who was leaving for a solo career. By this time he also released his first official solo album "Upside/Downside" on Atlantic in 1996. (an album "Neesh" was recorded for a minor Japanese label a year earlier) After the tour with Miles, Mike was a permanent member of Michael Brecker's band for two years and is also featured on Michael Breckers solo release "Don't try this at home", which is a landmark in the world of modern jazz.

In the following years Mike had his own band, touring world-wide and they released another three albums which best can be categorized as "fusion" -albums. Members of his band was bass-player Lincoln Goines, drummer Dennis Chambers and saxophone-player Bob Berg. (who also played with Miles) He was also on tour with David Sanborn and played with Michael Brecker in the band Steps Ahead.

Back to basics & Return of the Dinosaurs

In 1992 he teamed up with Randy & Mike Brecker to another line-up of the legendary Brecker Brothers band. Mike released "Standards (and other songs)", which presented him to the broad jazz-audience with a more acoustic/traditional jazz approach. The release got him voted as Best Jazz Guitarist in the Guitar Player Magazine. The following releases was more electric but got him grammy-nominated twice in a couple of Years. He returned to the acoustic genre with the release of "Give and Take", which also featured John Patitucci on bass and the legendary drummer Jack de Johnette as well as Don Alias, Michael Brecker and David Sanborn. This was Mike's most acoustic release so far and he played most of the tracks without any distorsion at all.

In the 90's some guitar collaborations has gained great success, Jim Hall made a record together with different guitar players, John Scofield/Pat Metheny also did one. That may have encouraged Mike to do his last release of the century with his friends/fellow guitarists Bill Frisell and John Scofield. The album is entitled "Play" and is filled with energy and state-of-the-art guitar playing. Since his time with Miles, he had gained internation fame, and was invited to record as guest soloist on numerous records. (see Discography)