All these people that I’ve been lucky enough to play with were great. MS: He was great, both Miles and Jaco were. JR: A lot of people ask you what it was like playing with Miles, but what was it like playing Jaco?
I’m going to try to do less touring, but I still play a regular gig at this place in New York called the 55 Bar every Monday and Wednesday. That’s what has worked for me all these years. And no matter who is there, you have to just play your heart out. Once in awhile, no matter where you play gigs, few people show up. I didn’t know his playing that well, but when we got to recording and playing live, he was open to play anything, so it was a lot of fun. Jimmy had mentioned that I should get together with Jeff. Jimmy Haslep plays bass on that record, and I played with Jimmy in the Yellowjackets.
We did a co-led record, some of my tunes, some of his tunes. I’ve been there a few times, including with a piano player named Jeff Lorber. There are great audiences everywhere! One of the places we played was called “Bird’s Basement” and I played there for five nights, and it was wonderful. MIKE STERN: It’s the same as all people who just enjoy the music, and generally you get really cool people it seems to me. Do Jazz audiences in Australia or Europe differ from American Jazz audiences? JONATHAN ROSS: You just got back from a tour of Australia. Jazz guitarist and JGT contributor – Jonathan Ross The only big difference is that Mike happens to also be a jazz legend. Mike is a regular guy just like you and me. Why? Because it became very clear to me very quickly that Mike was someone I could easily have a conversation with, and learn more from the conversation than from my rote questions ( i.e. I had a list of questions for Mike, and only asked a couple of them.
That fact, aside from his incredible guitar playing, is something to behold. Through it all, he has remained humble and gracious beyond description. He has worked and sacrificed to land some of the most coveted gigs in Jazz. Yes, Mike has been around the block more than his fair share of times. He has battled and conquered what he calls “darkness”, and substance abuse (as Mike says, “When Miles Davis tells you that you need to go to rehab, you know you have a problem!”). Two years ago, he sustained a fall and broke both of his arms, but came back strong and continued playing at a World-class level. He has also been a member of the famous Soul outfit, Blood, Sweat & Tears, a gig that helped launch his career. His dedication to practicing music has lead him to play with some of the all-time greats of Jazz, including Miles Davis, Billy Cobham, Randy and Michael Brecker, and Jaco Pastorius. His career has been one of playing with his heroes. Mike Stern barely needs an introduction to those in the Jazz community. Guitarist and Jazz Guitar Today contributor Jonathan Ross shares a unique conversation with jazz guitar great, Mike Stern.
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