#mikestern

[projazznet]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MIKE STERN!

Born on January 10, 1953, Mike Stern is a highly influential American jazz fusion guitarist known for a style that blends bebop sophistication with the raw power of rock and blues. Over a career spanning five decades, he has been a central figure in modern jazz, earning six Grammy nominations and being named one of the 75 best jazz guitarists of all time by DownBeat magazine. 

Career Highlights & Key Collaborations

Stern first gained international prominence in the early 1980s as a member of Miles Davis’s comeback band. He has since collaborated with some of the most prestigious names in jazz and fusion: 

Miles Davis: Played on albums like The Man with the Horn and Star People. Davis famously nicknamed him "Fat Time".

Major Bands: He was a member of Blood, Sweat & Tears early in his career and later joined the Brecker Brothers Band and Steps Ahead.

Solo Career: Since his debut solo album Upside Downside (1986), he has released over 20 recordings as a leader. 

Musical Style & Equipment

The "Stern Sound": His playing is characterized by a "chorused" tone and a unique ability to transition from delicate jazz phrasing to aggressive, overdriven solos inspired by Jimi Hendrix.

Signature Guitar: He is synonymous with the Yamaha PACIFICA1611MS, a signature model based on a modified Telecaster that he has used for decades. 

Personal Life

Background: Born Michael Sedgwick, he is the half-brother of actress Kyra Sedgwick.

Marriage: He is married to fellow guitarist and vocalist Leni Stern. 

Recent Activity (2024–2026)

New Music: Released the album Echoes and Other Songs in 2024, featuring collaborations with Christian McBride, Antonio Sanchez, and Chris Potter.

Touring: As of early 2026, he remains active on the live circuit. He is scheduled for a residency at Birdland in New York City throughout February 2026, performing with artists such as Richard Bona and Dennis Chambers.

Photo: Dean Zobec, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic).

[projazznet]

Mike Stern – Jigsaw (Album)

Jigsaw is the fourth studio album by guitarist Mike Stern, released in 1989 through Atlantic Records and reissued on July 17, 2007, through Wounded Bird Records. The album reached #12 on Billboard’s Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart in 1989.

Mike Stern – guitar Jim Beard – keyboard, synthesizer Peter Erskine – drums Dennis Chambers – drums Manolo Badrena – bongo, shaker Don Alias – percussion Jeff Andrews – bass Bob Berg – saxophone Michael Brecker – EWI

[projazznet]

Mike Stern Band – Kate (Live)

performed by Mike Stern Band Blue Note Milano 11-04-2015 Personnel: Mike Stern – guitar Randy Brecker – trumpet Janek Gwizdala – bass Steve Smith – drums

[projazznet]

Mike Stern – All Over The Place 

All Over the Place is the fifteenth studio album by American jazz guitarist Mike Stern, released on June 19, 2012, through Heads Up International. The 11 songs that make up Mike Stern’s All Over the Place align the characteristically diverse and adventurous guitarist with a cadre of brilliant guests, including trumpeter Randy Brecker, saxophonist Kenny Garrett, and drummers Dave Weckl, Keith Carlock and Lionel Cordew. Also on hand is a delegation of high-caliber electric and acoustic bass players: Esperanza Spalding, Richard Bona, Victor Wooten, Anthony Jackson, Dave Holland, Tom Kennedy, Will Lee and Victor Bailey.

[projazznet]

Mike Stern – Big Neighborhood 

Big Neighborhood is the fourteenth solo studio album by jazz guitarist Mike Stern. 2009 release was produced by Jim Beard and released by Heads Up International. It debuted at number five on the Billboard Top Traditional Jazz Albums chart and was nominated for the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album.

[projazznet]

Mike Stern – Odds or Evens (Album)

Odds or Evens is an album by Mike Stern, released in 1991 through Atlantic Records. The album reached a peak position of number eight on Billboard’s Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart. Don Alias – percussion Jim Beard – piano, synthesizer Bob Berg – saxophone Dennis Chambers – drums Lincoln Goines – bass Anthony Jackson – bass Ben Perowsky – drums Mike Stern – guitar

[clickyourradio]

Finnish singer, songwriter and composer Simo Naapuri released a new single Lighthouse via Secret Entertainment. This time there's a true legend on guest guitars, Mike Stern (Miles Davis, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Jaco Pastorius, Billy Cobham, etc.).

Simo Naapuri is a singer, songwriter and composer from Hämeenlinna, Finland. His music is a combination of ideas, styles, or tastes from a diverse range of cultures all around the world proving that variety is the spice of life. Lately, Simo has been working on polishing his older songs as well as giving birth to brand-new material.

Click Your Radio Classic Rock & Blues - live

Listen to Click Your Radio Classic Rock & Blues online. The best online radios in Canada live at canadaradiostations.com.

[projazznet]

Mike Stern – Upside Downside

Upside Downside is the second studio album by guitarist Mike Stern, released in 1986 through Atlantic Records and reissued on August 21, 2007 through Wounded Bird Records.

Mike Stern – guitar, arrangement Mitchel Forman – piano, synthesizer Dave Weckl – drums (except track 4) Dr. Gibbs – percussion Mark Egan – bass (except tracks 2, 4) Jeff Andrews – bass (track 2), co-arrangement (track 6) David Sanborn – alto saxophone (track 3) Bob Berg – tenor saxophone (except track 3) Jaco Pastorius – bass (track 4) Steve Jordan – drums (track 4)