Mike Stern doesn't owe anyone anything...A singularly unique contributor...We have all had decades of joy listening to his flights of freedom...I hope he has the wisdom to spend what he has left of life enjoying himself. Thanks for the post Andy.
Mike changed my life. I used to head in from Long Island in the late 80s and check out his amazing trio with Adam Nussbaum and Jeff Andrews ( the latter, I copped a couple of lessons from). But I am friend with at least one person who counts Mike as a friend, and he is a badass and just about the sweetest and sensitive guy you will ever meet. The internet has unfortunately bred some of the worst toxic shit humankind has wrought and here is one example. Thanks for addressing this, Andy
We saw Mike at the Jazz Showcase a few years ago, post accident and recovery. He was fabulous! He had a big smile the whole time that told me he was enjoying himself. That smile can be seen in old videos of him as well. Good for you Mike! Thanks for the music.
Joni Mitchell had a stroke and completely taught herself to play again as well. Martino, Mitchell and Stern are all unbelievably fantastic and innovative artists. Young musicians tend to be obsessed with chops (as many great musicians were when they were young) but they are YOUNG MUSICIANS. They are intrinsically opinionated and they are intrinsically obsessed about what I call the 'Olympic' qualities of playing (chops and speed)................they are also YOUNG. The haters will either eventually GET what Mike Stern is about as they get older or they'll end up being impressive PLAYERS but mediocre ARTISTS. There is a distinct difference.
@@naderzekrya5238 I was thinking the very same. Django Reinhardt and Tony Iommi also spring to mind (sure Tony isn't a jazz player, but he was inspired to help create heavy metal by Django, after he chopped the end of his fingers off).
Thanks, Andy. About 10 years ago, I saw Mike with Eric Johnson. At the end of the show, leaving the stage, Mike stopped and had a brief chat with me, an enthusiastic nobody. He was the sweetest guy imaginable.
In the mid 90-ies I saw Mike Stern and his band at Sandviken Big Band Bang musical festival in Sweden and was blewn away by this amazing guitarist. Thank you Edward for bringing our attention to the nightmare that so many people undeservedly experience on social media!
Yeah, at least it seems Mike is at a much better place mentally and will probably continue enjoying music for the rest of his life. I just wish guys like Phil Collins also had the opportunity to overcome their present physical impairments.
Dude's melodic lines have always been a standout in the fusion world. He might not be as esoteric as Metheny, but his stripped down approach to riffs and leading melody reminds a lot of a rockier version of George Benson, another titan from jazz guitar.
Excellent video and commentary, the way you describe music and the process of making music, and it uniting people, is amazing, it is perfect. Brings tears to my eyes. If we ever needed music to pull us closer together, it is now, and we have that ability now because a lot of the genre barriers of music have been broken because all music is so accessible to almost everyone with a connection to the internet.
Fully agreed. The sad part though is that the internet ought to be the greatest thing we ever made, giving unlimited access to all of human culture, knowledge and wisdom… And it *is*, in a sense, but at the same time it is the greatest sewer, the greatest toilet, the greatest platform for morons, idiots. haters, giving the dark underbelly of humanity a voice. And all too often the dark eclipses the light… as with many human endeavours and inventions. But hey, it's finally sunny over here, so let me stop my dark gen-X thoughts and focus on listening to beautiful music :).
What???!!!! Mike is such brilliant musician, and a sweet guy. I was lucky enough to meet him many years ago and he was so nice and genuine. It is amazing he came back after that terrible accident...I know because I had a terrible accident at around the same time, which still affects me today.....Mike is total inspiration!!!! Love to Mike
Very Nice of You Andy .Social Media has sadly brought about the Rise of Trollls and Keyboard Haters . Kindness Always Prevails . Hadn't heard about Mikes Injury You make some very good points .I Saw Mike Play with Jacos Word of Mouth Band and He was fantastic .
Thanks Andy for taking responsibility to stand up for Worlds Greatest Guitarist.We love Mike and he is more famous now...Trollers phychology is to be great for what they put up.Cheap people do that!!
This is an important message. Artists like Stephane Grappelli and Robert Fripp played into their 70's at a very high level, maybe losing a half step of speed but more than making up for it with experience. Sustained curiosity, passion and drive breed ingenuity when seemingly insurmountable roadblocks arise.
I honestly despair of the online community. Any excuse to have a pop at people for no reason at all. Keyboard warriors, one of the reasons I closed my music page on Facebook. Anyway, another cool post 😎
He is even better on We Want Miles! I never knew about his accident. I saw him in Denmark at Louisiana Museum in 2021. It was something beautiful. He was on par with his playing in the 80s He will play Hendrix at Louisiana this fall. I am looking forward to it!❤
Been a fan since the Miles days. I first saw Mike in person in the 80s with the Michael Brecker Group and he destroyed all pretenders. About 6 years later I was running sound for a band that opened for his group (w/Weckl and Andrews) giving me the chance to actually meet him and hang out after the show, and he couldn't have been a more personable or gracious person. He was a surprisingly nice guy and my fandom of his work only grew. The last time I saw him he was touring with Eric Johnson and still delivered the goods. I was really sorry to hear about his injury and glad to hear that he has persevered. I'm not aware of the criticisms referenced by this video, but anyone that gives Mike grief doesn't know him. He is a treasure to all of us whether we realize it or not.
So well said Andy... I totally agree! I cut a finger terribly which meant I couldn't play chords, so I wrote one chord songs! And some of them peeps love! It makes you have to try new things and technics. MIKE - never stop! Do it for yourself if no one else! Go with the journey! Peace!
The Man With The Horn is one of my favorite jazz albums. Mike's playing is so creative and soulful. Also, Al Foster's interpretation of funk drumming is incredible- what a versatile musician. His '82 recording with Tommy Flanagan doing Giant Steps was my blueprint for how to swing.
A little off topic, Andy, but I think the phrase, “F*** off Trolls!” should be in the title of every UA-cam video. We need it even more for Facebook entries.
I first heard Mike on that Miles Davis "Fat Time" , that's a baaad solo man, been a fan of his ever since. The solo he did on "Kix" from the We Want Miles album is a burner too, it almost sounds horn like. Anyway, he's one of the best around and hopefully he'll find some newer and continued musical inspirations and explorations to share with us in the future.
Great argument Andy. Another example I can think of is Joni Mitchell, she had polio in her infancy and began with her crazy open tunings looking for ways to play the guitar more comfortably. BTW Mike Stern is a force of nature 💪
My favorite guitar solo of all time is Watermelon in Easter Hay, but I don't think it's jazz, so my comment is completely off subject. Thanks for the Mike Stern story. I mean it when I say this is an inspiring narrative, bless you Andy for bringing it to my and others attention.
My friend and I seen Mike stern With Dennis chambers. At the basement in Sydney. Like jazz Club. Said hello with Dennis Signed his name a flyer for the Night. Then left. Humble Dennis was. That's why there liked.cheers years ago now.
Thanks Andy, love your work. It is disgraceful this ever degradation of legendary players and I agree with your analysis. Everyone ages and the achievements of youth disappear into fullness of a well lived life. This trolling I believe led to Keith Emerson's suicide, absolutely disgusting. However there is a joke about the young bull and the old bull being let into the paddock of the heifers. The young bull says "lets run down the hill and shag a few of these heifers" The old bull says "No, lets walk down the hill and shag all of these Heifers" Therin lies the wisdom of age and experience. Cheers
Back in the video store days, he was a customer at the video store I managed on 2nd Ave on 26th St in NYC. I didn't find out until much later that, not only was he famous, he played with some of the musicians I love, Billy Cobham in particular. Mike Stern was always a good natured, happy go lucky kind of guy. He smiled a lot, and it was easy to make him laugh. He deserves better than this. We all do.
What are the trolls saying about Mike? I didn't know anything about Mike Stern until this video as I'm more of a casual follower of this music you're all into here. In fact, I only follow this channel out of a general sympathy for people from the Midlands ;-) I have listened to a couple of his later tracks just now and his playing sounds good to me. I damaged my left hand fingers and couldn't play guitar for ten years, then relearned how to play though it can be painful. It's sort of frustrating to have lost those chops I developed when younger but I have discovered the beauty (and challenge) of the melody. The motherlode really is in the melody.
My fretting hand is gimp i play an alternate tuning and make stuff happen. It can be frustrating seeing some people dance on the fretboard in ways. I can't imagine having chunks of material stripped away by a sudden skillset loss and i say material but its his connection to communicating with us and the outside world for most of his life. damn man much respect.
Well said Andy, I agree with every single word. I cannot say what I would do with these moronic trolls because my comment would get removed, so I will just echo your greeting to them. Frank Vignola was also involved in a horrific accident which took him 18 months to recover from.
I hope Mike Stern sees this video. I am glad I have seen it; I found it inspirational for myself. It is definitely true, as you said, that youth is valued in our culture at the expense of an appreciation of knowledge and experience. Ironically, in an era hyper-focused on stamping out racism, sexism, and "homophobia", ageism has actually increased in recent years, at least in America, although it is no new thing here. It is true that any given individual's perception of the problem may be colored by the fact that he or she is inexorably moving ever farther away from the coveted status of youth. It makes sense that I would have a better understanding of ageist discrimination at nearly 60 years old than I did, say, 40 years ago. But even making an effort to factor this lived experience out of the equation, I still think ageism has gotten objectively worse in the recent past. Sometimes it appears to be used consciously and unapologetically as a weapon.
Last Year he played a Tour with his Wife Leni and sadly i could not go to see them Together. I saw them individually though. Seeing him to play with his new Technique was not only spiritually but also musically enlightening. He invented a new Style of playing. Something that turns an extraordinary Instrumentalist into a great Musician. Since Scofield takes the Time to let the String Ring he becomes a Player I love to hear.
Hmmm. Not seeing any trolling of Mike Stern on UA-cam videos. Saw him in 1981 in Seattle. Miles Davis - Trumpet, Keyboards Bill Evans - Saxes, Flute Mike Stern - Guitar Marcus Miller - Bass Al Foster - Drums Mino Cinelu - Percussion Terrific concert.
I'm not the biggest Mike Stern fan, just not my thing musically, but I do hope that Mike Stern realises that music is not only for happy times but also for difficult times and times of hardship. Music is not exclusive to love and happiness, or at least those are not the only reason for being a creator. There is more reason for him to make music now than ever.
I mean, come on folks.. does Mike Stern really need public reinforcement to tell him that he’s an iconic guitar player who has had such a tremendous effect on the world of music over the last four decades..really? Do we actually really give a shit about what some jealous mofo have got to say on social media?.. when was the last time they toured the world and played in front of thousands of people and have like probably 15 albums out.. OK great Mike. We love you. You’re great. Don’t worry about these assholes…
The great Alex Hutchins sliced through the nerves and tendons in his fretting hand, as well as damaging his elbow. Good old NHS failed to tell him that it is essential to reconnect the d Amazed nerves in the matter of days or the procedure may never work. When he finally saw a consultant, he was warned he may never regain his feeling and facility. This was terrifying as Alex is at the pinnacle of technical playing being a disciple of Frank Gambale’s sweep picking, as well as being an astonishing jazz guitarist in the vein of George Benson. It was an awful time for Alex but he persevered and diligently worked on his rehabilitation. Listen to him today, astonishing. Alex is one of the young greats deserving of the utmost support and recognition. And on this video, I too give my unconditional support for Mike, he still has so much to give🎸❤️
Great video Andy. I saw Mike back in the 80s and dismissed it as bloated jazz-metal. Fast forward to just before covid, and I went to see him again, with no knowledge of his accident, and he totally blew me away. How wrong can you be eh?
Totally agree about the knowledge meaning more. This is why many once young players making a name for themselves went onto become teachers. Yes music should bring us together . Not like the negative internet getting clicks ….Keep expressing yourself Mike …Keep going….Remember Django ReInhart . Forget those who measure with false rulers and no empathy….I was about to mention Tony but Andy beat me to it ! lol
The moral of the story, don't listen to idiots online if possible. I'm more of a Scofield fan but I appreciate what he did. Kind of reminds me how Peter Frampton came back to continue to play.
The problem is a generation of guitar players who aren't musical. They've learnt mechanical skills from watching and can't hear beyond counting beats for a high score on the metronome.
It isn't what you think. When the English Long Arrow Men were fighting the French with the longbow, they used their index finger, so the French had their said finger cut off. And so, raising the middle finger meant I've still got this or some such. I may have ethnicity's mixed up, but I don't like to fact check "me"-self-now do I?
Innovators will innovate with the resources they have. Jazz more than any other music has been about innovating with available resources, however sparse. Misfortune rather than fortune moves us on.
Beethoven was deaf and we have the 9 th, Stevie Wonder, Jeff Healey , Tay Charles all blind plus the drummer from Def Leppard ( Rick Allan) only has one arm. Trolls are Wankers.
mike should never give up,many players have problems with arthiritis etc as they get older,trolls eh,stern is one of THE fusion guys,many trolls are not musicians,clueless,mike has nothing to prove
I'm 58 & have played guitar for 50+ years. Now I suffer from diabetic neuropathy which causes numbness in my hands. I can't shred like I used to. I have had to adjust my playing to be more succinct, more expressive & concentrate more on phrasing. Non-musician friends have given great feedback. They don't care how fast I can or can't play. I miss being able to play some of the stuff I used to, but they seem to prefer what I'm doing now. I feel I've become more of a musician & less of a "player". It's a new & challenging leg of my musical journey. Thanks for this video & for reminding me what an inspiration Mike Stern was, is & continues to be.
I saw Les Paul perform here in New York at the Iridium club when he was 83 years old. He couldn't zip around like he could when he was a younger whippersnapper. He also played BEAUTIFULLY, spinning out melodies like unspooling ribbons. We need to listen to the musicians who've arrived at places we don't know yet.
I had a similar experience seeing Les Paul at the Iridium (very nice club BTW). It was only a few years before his passing., I think he was already 90 or 91!
Great video! Years ago I worked with a honky-tonk/country guy from Texas. On the plane to Europe he got harangued by the crew telling him he can‘t take his small travel guitar onto the plane. A guy intervened saying ‚Hey, I‘m in first class, I‘ll take your guitar over no problem.‘ It was Mike Stern, on his way to Paris to perform with Eric Johnson. I think this says a lot about what a great person he is - let alone one of the all-time guitar greats. ❤
Well said, Can't believe this, Mike is one of the greats with absolutely nothing to prove. The young shredders and trolls will never make albums and write compositions on the level that Mike does. He seems like the coolest cat too.
I worship McLaughlin, I love Metheny, but I DIG Mike, which is a slightly different thing. That’s because I was a serious old-school blues cat - Son House, John Hammond, etc. - when I was a kid, before fusion was invented. When I first heard Mike I immediately recognized all the stuff he got from the blues, especially from Roy Buchanan - the harmonics, the double bends, etc. When Roy died Mike inherited one of his Telecasters.
Hello, I was a student at Berklee College Of Music in the 80s and followed mikes playing. I went to see him play at the famous 1369 Jazz club in Boston MA several times. I had the pleasure of meeting him at these gigs and he was always extremely friendly as well as humble. He always managed to take these gigs to another level with his genius soloing! 2 weeks ago I was at the Birdland show in NYC. This was guitar night at the club hosted by Frank Vignola and guests Mike and Jimmy Bruno. I do not know what show these trolls were watching but Mike still took this gig to another level! He held back on the scorching Overdriven leads, but he added Just enough edge on his solos too play as well as he always does! In fact it sounds like he is getting better with the statements he is saying through his Axe! Long Live Mike Stern a true musical Genius!
@@Osnosishello, yes those were the days! Also across the street Ryles! I forgot to mention I also was fortunate enough to See Mike with Jaco at the Brecker Brothers bar 7th Ave south.
How lucky of you! Frank and Jimmy are tremendous players themselves. It must have been interesting to see Mike approach that gig, cutting down the electronics and focusing on phrasing and melody.
@@Osnosis Nice! I used to work at a jingle house in NYC as a runner. I hung out with all the session players of the day! Saw JACO several times, word of mouth band. He was a mess in the end.
Mike Stern is a MASTER!!! Nobody sounds like him, phrasing, tone, lines..... I have a couple of his CDs from the 80's same as Lee Ritenour, Al Di Meola, Jeff Beck and Joe Pass. Individuality and knowledge (What to play & what NOT to play) beats shallow displays of Chops anyday!!!
Mike Stern’s solo on “Fat Time” is ALSO MY favorite! Unbelievably inventive-the “up the ladder/down the ladder” section in particular. And “Chromazone” is best heard live. Check out several elsewhere.
Just listened to Fat Time for the first time after you mentioned it, blimey, took me to another planet, loved it. Listening to the whole Miles album now, epic. I never knew about Mike Stern, I do now. Appreciate you spreading the word.
@@hagishag thanks mate, the world of Miles is a new world to me, I'm a bit of an old school rocker I guess and some of this stuff has past me by. I'll check it out definitely. Cheers!
@@NeilJ894 Miles is a rich seam. This was his second album, after the one with Fat Time, when he returned from a partial retirement of 5 years when he hadn’t played a note because ‘Nobody likes my music anymore’. (He drank champagne snorted coke and painted). I am simplifying. I can also recommend Your under arrest as a taster with Schofield & McLaughlin on tracks also with Marcus Miller on bass.
I live in NYC where Mike Stern used to perform every Wednesday at the now defunct 55 Bar. He's the nicest, most accessible person, not to mention a genius performer who gives his all to the music. Hats off to him!
Back in July 1997 I saw the Mike Stern Band live at the Irish center in Leeds UK-a great evening because not only was the music good but a pair of Japanese girls who lived near Mike in California introduced me to him after the gig. I got to hear first hand what it was like to be in Miles' band and so on-what a kind and humble guy-no wonder Miles liked hi. Keep up the good work Andy-I like your channel a lot.
I will be honest i don't know the music of Mr Stern, but wtf is wrong with people ? I can't play music. I love listening to it, and you know what some stuff I don't like, but somehow I am able not to personally attack the musician and undermine them. Simple, really, and their is a difference to jokingly slagging off someone and being hurtful. Damn.
I love Stern, even studied with him for a little bit in NYC, but I think the problem with his playing now is that he is (mostly) trying to play the way he used to before his injury; which is causing him to sound sloppy. If he were to change his playing dramatically and play a lot fewer notes, and perhaps more melodically, then I think he could evolve and sound great again.
I agree with you. Wayne Krantz told me he tried to encourage Mike to change the way he plays because of the injury, but Mike didn't seem to like the idea.
Back in the 90's, I took my friend Mike to see Jimmy Smith, a masterful jazz organist, at the Blue Note for his birthday. He became a big fan after receiving an album from a gym teacher back in high school. And Jimmy Smith had been in a car accident before the show, which meant he was only able to play with one hand. It didn't stop him from blowing us away that night. There's a message in that.
Thank you for standing up for him. He was and still is a great guitarist. More to a great guitar than techniques. There is expression feel and experience too.
Mike Stern doesn't owe anyone anything...A singularly unique contributor...We have all had decades of joy listening to his flights of freedom...I hope he has the wisdom to spend what he has left of life enjoying himself. Thanks for the post Andy.
Exactly!
I saw Mike play last year recently and he looks and sounds amazing at 71. Music is obviously good for the soul and health.
Mike is an incredible musician
Mike changed my life. I used to head in from Long Island in the late 80s and check out his amazing trio with Adam Nussbaum and Jeff Andrews ( the latter, I copped a couple of lessons from). But I am friend with at least one person who counts Mike as a friend, and he is a badass and just about the sweetest and sensitive guy you will ever meet. The internet has unfortunately bred some of the worst toxic shit humankind has wrought and here is one example. Thanks for addressing this, Andy
We saw Mike at the Jazz Showcase a few years ago, post accident and recovery. He was fabulous! He had a big smile the whole time that told me he was enjoying himself. That smile can be seen in old videos of him as well. Good for you Mike! Thanks for the music.
Pat Martino overcame a traumatic brain injury and relearned guitar playing ! Just thought he deserves s mention here
Martino absolutely deserves a mention following his trauma, especially as one of the very original "Electric Bebop" players
Joni Mitchell had a stroke and completely taught herself to play again as well.
Martino, Mitchell and Stern are all unbelievably fantastic and innovative artists.
Young musicians tend to be obsessed with chops (as many great musicians were when they were young) but they are YOUNG MUSICIANS. They are intrinsically opinionated and they are intrinsically obsessed about what I call the 'Olympic' qualities of playing (chops and speed)................they are also YOUNG. The haters will either eventually GET what Mike Stern is about as they get older or they'll end up being impressive PLAYERS but mediocre ARTISTS. There is a distinct difference.
Dude had no memory of his life before the stroke too, this is unfathomable to me !
Back in 2000 I heard Pat Martino in Santa Cruz after he had fully recovered.
@@naderzekrya5238 I was thinking the very same. Django Reinhardt and Tony Iommi also spring to mind (sure Tony isn't a jazz player, but he was inspired to help create heavy metal by Django, after he chopped the end of his fingers off).
Thanks, Andy. About 10 years ago, I saw Mike with Eric Johnson. At the end of the show, leaving the stage, Mike stopped and had a brief chat with me, an enthusiastic nobody. He was the sweetest guy imaginable.
Dude, I'd kill to see a live gig where those 2 play together!!!!
In the mid 90-ies I saw Mike Stern and his band at Sandviken Big Band Bang musical festival in Sweden and was blewn away by this amazing guitarist. Thank you Edward for bringing our attention to the nightmare that so many people undeservedly experience on social media!
Reminds me of Keith Emerson, who unfortunately dealt with people's criticism of his loss of manual dexterity by taking his own life.
Yeah, at least it seems Mike is at a much better place mentally and will probably continue enjoying music for the rest of his life. I just wish guys like Phil Collins also had the opportunity to overcome their present physical impairments.
No one can write instrumental ballads like Mike.
YES, ballad writer unparalleled.
@@geevee7823 Yes! His ballads have always been stunning from the earliest albums onwards.
Dude's melodic lines have always been a standout in the fusion world. He might not be as esoteric as Metheny, but his stripped down approach to riffs and leading melody reminds a lot of a rockier version of George Benson, another titan from jazz guitar.
Excellent video and commentary, the way you describe music and the process of making music, and it uniting people, is amazing, it is perfect. Brings tears to my eyes. If we ever needed music to pull us closer together, it is now, and we have that ability now because a lot of the genre barriers of music have been broken because all music is so accessible to almost everyone with a connection to the internet.
Wow, thank you!
Fully agreed. The sad part though is that the internet ought to be the greatest thing we ever made, giving unlimited access to all of human culture, knowledge and wisdom… And it *is*, in a sense, but at the same time it is the greatest sewer, the greatest toilet, the greatest platform for morons, idiots. haters, giving the dark underbelly of humanity a voice. And all too often the dark eclipses the light… as with many human endeavours and inventions.
But hey, it's finally sunny over here, so let me stop my dark gen-X thoughts and focus on listening to beautiful music :).
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer- well deserved...never stop jazzfusion videos! ❤
What???!!!! Mike is such brilliant musician, and a sweet guy. I was lucky enough to meet him many years ago and he was so nice and genuine.
It is amazing he came back after that terrible accident...I know because I had a terrible accident at around the same time, which still affects me today.....Mike is total inspiration!!!! Love to Mike
Very Nice of You Andy .Social Media has sadly brought about the Rise of Trollls and Keyboard Haters . Kindness Always Prevails . Hadn't heard about Mikes Injury You make some very good points .I Saw Mike Play with Jacos Word of Mouth Band and He was fantastic .
Thanks Andy for taking responsibility to stand up for Worlds Greatest Guitarist.We love Mike and he is more famous now...Trollers phychology is to be great for what they put up.Cheap people do that!!
This is an important message. Artists like Stephane Grappelli and Robert Fripp played into their 70's at a very high level, maybe losing a half step of speed but more than making up for it with experience. Sustained curiosity, passion and drive breed ingenuity when seemingly insurmountable roadblocks arise.
‘Played’? Robert Fripp is still around, still playing.
I honestly despair of the online community. Any excuse to have a pop at people for no reason at all. Keyboard warriors, one of the reasons I closed my music page on Facebook.
Anyway, another cool post 😎
Thank you for doing this video !
So well said, Andy! I was fortunate enough to see Scofield a few months back. absolutely spellbinding.
I was his chauffeur for gig in Leeds in the 90s, a very nice guy indeed.
He is even better on We Want Miles!
I never knew about his accident.
I saw him in Denmark at Louisiana Museum in 2021.
It was something beautiful. He was on par with his playing in the 80s
He will play Hendrix at Louisiana this fall.
I am looking forward to it!❤
Been a fan since the Miles days. I first saw Mike in person in the 80s with the Michael Brecker Group and he destroyed all pretenders. About 6 years later I was running sound for a band that opened for his group (w/Weckl and Andrews) giving me the chance to actually meet him and hang out after the show, and he couldn't have been a more personable or gracious person. He was a surprisingly nice guy and my fandom of his work only grew. The last time I saw him he was touring with Eric Johnson and still delivered the goods. I was really sorry to hear about his injury and glad to hear that he has persevered. I'm not aware of the criticisms referenced by this video, but anyone that gives Mike grief doesn't know him. He is a treasure to all of us whether we realize it or not.
So well said Andy... I totally agree! I cut a finger terribly which meant I couldn't play chords, so I wrote one chord songs! And some of them peeps love! It makes you have to try new things and technics.
MIKE - never stop! Do it for yourself if no one else! Go with the journey! Peace!
The Man With The Horn is one of my favorite jazz albums. Mike's playing is so creative and soulful. Also, Al Foster's interpretation of funk drumming is incredible- what a versatile musician. His '82 recording with Tommy Flanagan doing Giant Steps was my blueprint for how to swing.
You blew me away when I first heard you, just carry on doing so, music is part of you🙂
A little off topic, Andy, but I think the phrase, “F*** off Trolls!” should be in the title of every UA-cam video. We need it even more for Facebook entries.
Hadn't heard this album in years, so I went back to check out this track. Pretty damned cool all the way 'round, and Stern's solo absolutely burns...
I first heard Mike on that Miles Davis "Fat Time" , that's a baaad solo man, been a fan of his ever since. The solo he did on "Kix" from the We Want Miles album is a burner too, it almost sounds horn like. Anyway, he's one of the best around and hopefully he'll find some newer and continued musical inspirations and explorations to share with us in the future.
beautiful touching message every one should listen
Great argument Andy. Another example I can think of is Joni Mitchell, she had polio in her infancy and began with her crazy open tunings looking for ways to play the guitar more comfortably. BTW Mike Stern is a force of nature 💪
Smart, sensitive, well worded. Thank you, Andy!
My favorite guitar solo of all time is Watermelon in Easter Hay, but I don't think it's jazz, so my comment is completely off subject. Thanks for the Mike Stern story. I mean it when I say this is an inspiring narrative, bless you Andy for bringing it to my and others attention.
My friend and I seen Mike stern
With Dennis chambers. At the basement in Sydney. Like jazz
Club. Said hello with Dennis
Signed his name a flyer for the
Night. Then left. Humble
Dennis was. That's why there liked.cheers years ago now.
Well said Andy.
I saw Mike Stern in the mid 1990's. It was beyond amazing. And I am sure he is still amazing- if you know that music is more than shredding.
Thanks Andy, love your work. It is disgraceful this ever degradation of legendary players and I agree with your analysis. Everyone ages and the achievements of youth disappear into fullness of a well lived life. This trolling I believe led to Keith Emerson's suicide, absolutely disgusting. However there is a joke about the young bull and the old bull being let into the paddock of the heifers. The young bull says "lets run down the hill and shag a few of these heifers" The old bull says "No, lets walk down the hill and shag all of these Heifers" Therin lies the wisdom of age and experience. Cheers
Back in the video store days, he was a customer at the video store I managed on 2nd Ave on 26th St in NYC. I didn't find out until much later that, not only was he famous, he played with some of the musicians I love, Billy Cobham in particular.
Mike Stern was always a good natured, happy go lucky kind of guy. He smiled a lot, and it was easy to make him laugh.
He deserves better than this. We all do.
First saw him with Miles Davis and was blown away. I’ve been fan ever since. Legend.
What are the trolls saying about Mike?
I didn't know anything about Mike Stern until this video as I'm more of a casual follower of this music you're all into here. In fact, I only follow this channel out of a general sympathy for people from the Midlands ;-) I have listened to a couple of his later tracks just now and his playing sounds good to me.
I damaged my left hand fingers and couldn't play guitar for ten years, then relearned how to play though it can be painful. It's sort of frustrating to have lost those chops I developed when younger but I have discovered the beauty (and challenge) of the melody. The motherlode really is in the melody.
I didn't know about the Midlands contingent...did you like the Don Powell interview?
@@AndyEdwardsDrummer I haven't watched that one yet but I will get around to it.
Time in place is good, but it’s no Astral Weeks 😂😂😂
Well said Andy ✌️❤️🎵
My fretting hand is gimp i play an alternate tuning and make stuff happen. It can be frustrating seeing some people dance on the fretboard in ways. I can't imagine having chunks of material stripped away by a sudden skillset loss and i say material but its his connection to communicating with us and the outside world for most of his life. damn man much respect.
Hell yeah
I've seen him several times, played with a former bandmate andwith a former student of his, both love him.
Well said Andy, I agree with every single word. I cannot say what I would do with these moronic trolls because my comment would get removed, so I will just echo your greeting to them. Frank Vignola was also involved in a horrific accident which took him 18 months to recover from.
Art goes beyond the material; it is spiritual. The spirit is mutable
I hope Mike Stern sees this video. I am glad I have seen it; I found it inspirational for myself. It is definitely true, as you said, that youth is valued in our culture at the expense of an appreciation of knowledge and experience. Ironically, in an era hyper-focused on stamping out racism, sexism, and "homophobia", ageism has actually increased in recent years, at least in America, although it is no new thing here. It is true that any given individual's perception of the problem may be colored by the fact that he or she is inexorably moving ever farther away from the coveted status of youth. It makes sense that I would have a better understanding of ageist discrimination at nearly 60 years old than I did, say, 40 years ago. But even making an effort to factor this lived experience out of the equation, I still think ageism has gotten objectively worse in the recent past. Sometimes it appears to be used consciously and unapologetically as a weapon.
Last Year he played a Tour with his Wife Leni and sadly i could not go to see them Together. I saw them individually though.
Seeing him to play with his new Technique was not only spiritually but also musically enlightening.
He invented a new Style of playing. Something that turns an extraordinary Instrumentalist into a great Musician.
Since Scofield takes the Time to let the String Ring he becomes a Player I love to hear.
Rhasaan Roland Kirk had a stroke effectively making him one handed still made great music
Those who can play play, those who can’t … troll on social media
yes 2 all!!!
Hmmm. Not seeing any trolling of Mike Stern on UA-cam videos. Saw him in 1981 in Seattle.
Miles Davis - Trumpet, Keyboards
Bill Evans - Saxes, Flute
Mike Stern - Guitar
Marcus Miller - Bass
Al Foster - Drums
Mino Cinelu - Percussion
Terrific concert.
I'm not the biggest Mike Stern fan, just not my thing musically, but I do hope that Mike Stern realises that music is not only for happy times but also for difficult times and times of hardship. Music is not exclusive to love and happiness, or at least those are not the only reason for being a creator. There is more reason for him to make music now than ever.
The V up is very underused nowadays!
Perfectly stated Andy!
💜🙏🏼💜 thank you
I mean, come on folks.. does Mike Stern really need public reinforcement to tell him that he’s an iconic guitar player who has had such a tremendous effect on the world of music over the last four decades..really? Do we actually really give a shit about what some jealous mofo have got to say on social media?.. when was the last time they toured the world and played in front of thousands of people and have like probably 15 albums out.. OK great Mike. We love you. You’re great. Don’t worry about these assholes…
The great Alex Hutchins sliced through the nerves and tendons in his fretting hand, as well as damaging his elbow. Good old NHS failed to tell him that it is essential to reconnect the d
Amazed nerves in the matter of days or the procedure may never work. When he finally saw a consultant, he was warned he may never regain his feeling and facility. This was terrifying as Alex is at the pinnacle of technical playing being a disciple of Frank Gambale’s sweep picking, as well as being an astonishing jazz guitarist in the vein of George Benson. It was an awful time for Alex but he persevered and diligently worked on his rehabilitation. Listen to him today, astonishing. Alex is one of the young greats deserving of the utmost support and recognition. And on this video, I too give my unconditional support for Mike, he still has so much to give🎸❤️
Right on Andy!
Those weren't the two fingers I thought you were going to use, but it works.
Upside Downside FTW!
Great video Andy. I saw Mike back in the 80s and dismissed it as bloated jazz-metal. Fast forward to just before covid, and I went to see him again, with no knowledge of his accident, and he totally blew me away. How wrong can you be eh?
Totally agree about the knowledge meaning more. This is why many once young players making a name for themselves went onto become teachers. Yes music should bring us together . Not like the negative internet getting clicks ….Keep expressing yourself Mike …Keep going….Remember Django ReInhart . Forget those who measure with false rulers and no empathy….I was about to mention Tony but Andy beat me to it ! lol
ua-cam.com/video/Qh8ZYTtlri0/v-deo.html - Mike Stern Band - World Class
The moral of the story, don't listen to idiots online if possible. I'm more of a Scofield fan but I appreciate what he did. Kind of reminds me how Peter Frampton came back to continue to play.
He’s still an amazing guitarist.
The problem is a generation of guitar players who aren't musical. They've learnt mechanical skills from watching and can't hear beyond counting beats for a high score on the metronome.
It isn't what you think. When the English Long Arrow Men were fighting the French with the longbow, they used their index finger, so the French had their said finger cut off. And so, raising the middle finger meant I've still got this or some such. I may have ethnicity's mixed up, but I don't like to fact check "me"-self-now do I?
I would have used two fingers, but not all of the ones you chose. 😎
JT
So many heartless attack drones online! You can rest knowing you are at least 10x better than Mike at playing drums, I'm sure.
Jason Becker is another... look at what he overcame! Possibly the bravest master guitarist story of them all!
Innovators will innovate with the resources they have. Jazz more than any other music has been about innovating with available resources, however sparse. Misfortune rather than fortune moves us on.
Beethoven was deaf and we have the 9 th, Stevie Wonder, Jeff Healey , Tay Charles all blind plus the drummer from Def Leppard ( Rick Allan) only has one arm. Trolls are Wankers.
mike should never give up,many players have problems with arthiritis etc as they get older,trolls eh,stern is one of THE fusion guys,many trolls are not musicians,clueless,mike has nothing to prove
Mike’s the nicest guy you could ever meet.
I'm 58 & have played guitar for 50+ years. Now I suffer from diabetic neuropathy which causes numbness in my hands. I can't shred like I used to. I have had to adjust my playing to be more succinct, more expressive & concentrate more on phrasing. Non-musician friends have given great feedback. They don't care how fast I can or can't play. I miss being able to play some of the stuff I used to, but they seem to prefer what I'm doing now. I feel I've become more of a musician & less of a "player". It's a new & challenging leg of my musical journey. Thanks for this video & for reminding me what an inspiration Mike Stern was, is & continues to be.
I wish you all the best!In a similar situation myself
I saw Les Paul perform here in New York at the Iridium club when he was 83 years old. He couldn't zip around like he could when he was a younger whippersnapper. He also played BEAUTIFULLY, spinning out melodies like unspooling ribbons. We need to listen to the musicians who've arrived at places we don't know yet.
I had a similar experience seeing Les Paul at the Iridium (very nice club BTW). It was only a few years before his passing., I think he was already 90 or 91!
Great video! Years ago I worked with a honky-tonk/country guy from Texas. On the plane to Europe he got harangued by the crew telling him he can‘t take his small travel guitar onto the plane. A guy intervened saying ‚Hey, I‘m in first class, I‘ll take your guitar over no problem.‘ It was Mike Stern, on his way to Paris to perform with Eric Johnson. I think this says a lot about what a great person he is - let alone one of the all-time guitar greats. ❤
I've always absolutely loved "We want Miles ", mainly for Stern's playing!
Well said, Can't believe this, Mike is one of the greats with absolutely nothing to prove. The young shredders and trolls will never make albums and write compositions on the level that Mike does. He seems like the coolest cat too.
You're 100% correct Andy; the knowledge should be respected more than the facility.
I worship McLaughlin, I love Metheny, but I DIG Mike, which is a slightly different thing. That’s because I was a serious old-school blues cat - Son House, John Hammond, etc. - when I was a kid, before fusion was invented. When I first heard Mike I immediately recognized all the stuff he got from the blues, especially from Roy Buchanan - the harmonics, the double bends, etc. When Roy died Mike inherited one of his Telecasters.
A very welcome video. The first jazz concert I went to was the Mike Stern/Bob Berg band. So Mike has a special place in my personal musical history. 🙂
I like the 'Django's two fingers' returning as the 'Anglo-Saxon two fingers' thing. Kind of circular and pleasing.
Hello, I was a student at Berklee College Of Music in the 80s and followed mikes playing. I went to see him play at the famous 1369 Jazz club in Boston MA several times. I had the pleasure of meeting him at these gigs and he was always extremely friendly as well as humble. He always managed to take these gigs to another level with his genius soloing! 2 weeks ago I was at the Birdland show in NYC. This was guitar night at the club hosted by Frank Vignola and guests Mike and Jimmy Bruno. I do not know what show these trolls were watching but Mike still took this gig to another level! He held back on the scorching Overdriven leads, but he added Just enough edge on his solos too play as well as he always does! In fact it sounds like he is getting better with the statements he is saying through his Axe! Long Live Mike Stern a true musical Genius!
Those were the days at the 1369, with Pat Metheny, Jerry Bergonzi, Dave Kikoski, and so many others.
@@Osnosishello, yes those were the days! Also across the street Ryles! I forgot to mention I also was fortunate enough to See Mike with Jaco at the Brecker Brothers bar 7th Ave south.
How lucky of you! Frank and Jimmy are tremendous players themselves. It must have been interesting to see Mike approach that gig, cutting down the electronics and focusing on phrasing and melody.
@@TheMaestro335 Saw Jaco at the 5 & Dime in SoHo; very sad, as he was so messed up. Still a great jazz scene in NYC, though not too much elsewheres.
@@Osnosis Nice! I used to work at a jingle house in NYC as a runner. I hung out with all the session players of the day! Saw JACO several times, word of mouth band. He was a mess in the end.
Mike Stern is a MASTER!!! Nobody sounds like him, phrasing, tone, lines..... I have a couple of his CDs from the 80's same as Lee Ritenour, Al Di Meola, Jeff Beck and Joe Pass. Individuality and knowledge (What to play & what NOT to play) beats shallow displays of Chops anyday!!!
Bravo, Andy! Well put. Mike Stern is a gem of a man, a national treasure as a player. We all love him!
Mike Stern’s solo on “Fat Time” is ALSO MY favorite! Unbelievably inventive-the “up the ladder/down the ladder” section in particular.
And “Chromazone” is best heard live. Check out several elsewhere.
Just listened to Fat Time for the first time after you mentioned it, blimey, took me to another planet, loved it. Listening to the whole Miles album now, epic. I never knew about Mike Stern, I do now. Appreciate you spreading the word.
We Want Miles a live double album with Marcus Miller & Miles of course.
If you haven’t got that far yet you’re in for a treat.
@@hagishag thanks mate, the world of Miles is a new world to me, I'm a bit of an old school rocker I guess and some of this stuff has past me by. I'll check it out definitely. Cheers!
@@NeilJ894 I got the title wrong it’s ’We Want Miles’. Have corrected it now. Happy listening.
@@hagishag thanks mate.. I was looking for it with no luck! Will check it out. Nice one
@@NeilJ894 Miles is a rich seam.
This was his second album, after the one with Fat Time, when he returned from a partial retirement of 5 years when he hadn’t played a note because ‘Nobody likes my music anymore’. (He drank champagne snorted coke and painted). I am simplifying.
I can also recommend Your under arrest as a taster with Schofield & McLaughlin on tracks also with Marcus Miller on bass.
Why would anyone even think of attacking Mike Stern?! What’s wrong with you people, are you deaf?!?!
Mike Stern is incredible on many many levels
If you want to support M.S., he will play 11 times in July and August at Birdland N.Y.C
Mike Stern is the man,outstanding guitar player❤️
I live in NYC where Mike Stern used to perform every Wednesday at the now defunct 55 Bar. He's the nicest, most accessible person, not to mention a genius performer who gives his all to the music. Hats off to him!
Yep. As I remember it was Mondays and Wednesdays when he was in town (I think). Sad that 55 is gone.
Back in July 1997 I saw the Mike Stern Band live at the Irish center in Leeds UK-a great evening because not only was the music good but a pair of Japanese girls who lived near Mike in California introduced me to him after the gig. I got to hear first hand what it was like to be in Miles' band and so on-what a kind and humble guy-no wonder Miles liked hi. Keep up the good work Andy-I like your channel a lot.
The universe spent 4 billion years to arrive at Mike Stern, I hope he still channels it for us all.
Make that 6000 years.
I love Mike Stern's playing! I was lucky enough to see him with Dennis Chambers back in the early 2000's.
I will be honest i don't know the music of Mr
Stern, but wtf is wrong with people ? I can't play music. I love listening to it, and you know what some stuff I don't like, but somehow I am able not to personally attack the musician and undermine them.
Simple, really, and their is a difference to jokingly slagging off someone and being hurtful. Damn.
I love Stern, even studied with him for a little bit in NYC, but I think the problem with his playing now is that he is (mostly) trying to play the way he used to before his injury; which is causing him to sound sloppy. If he were to change his playing dramatically and play a lot fewer notes, and perhaps more melodically, then I think he could evolve and sound great again.
I agree with you. Wayne Krantz told me he tried to encourage Mike to change the way he plays because of the injury, but Mike didn't seem to like the idea.
Back in the 90's, I took my friend Mike to see Jimmy Smith, a masterful jazz organist, at the Blue Note for his birthday. He became a big fan after receiving an album from a gym teacher back in high school. And Jimmy Smith had been in a car accident before the show, which meant he was only able to play with one hand. It didn't stop him from blowing us away that night. There's a message in that.
Thank you for standing up for him. He was and still is a great guitarist. More to a great guitar than techniques. There is expression feel and experience too.