Mike Stern
| Mike Stern | |
|---|---|
Stern performing in Munich, 2001
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Michael Sedgwick |
| Born |
January 10, 1953 Boston, Massachusetts, United States |
| Genres | Jazz, jazz fusion, post-bop |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1976–present |
| Labels | Atlantic, Heads Up, |
| Associated acts | Blood, Sweat & Tears, Miles Davis, Brecker Brothers |
| Website | www |
| Notable instruments | |
| Yamaha PA511MS | |
Mike Stern (born January 10, 1953) is a six-time Grammy-nominated American jazz guitarist. After playing with Blood, Sweat & Tears, he landed a gig with drummer Billy Cobham, then with trumpeter Miles Davis from 1981 to 1983 and again in 1985. Following that, he launched a solo career, releasing more than a dozen albums.
Stern was hailed as the Best Jazz Guitarist of 1993 by Guitar Player magazine. At the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal in June 2007, Stern was honored with the Miles Davis Award, which was created to recognize internationally acclaimed jazz artists whose work has contributed significantly to the renewal of the genre. In 2009 Stern was listed on Down Beat's list of 75 best jazz guitarist of all time. He was presented with Guitar Player magazine's Certified Legend Award on January 21, 2012.
Mike Stern was born Michael Sedgwick in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of Helen (Burroughs) and Henry Dwight Sedgwick V. "Stern" is the surname of his stepfather. He is the half-brother of actress Kyra Sedgwick; his full sister, Holly, is the mother of actor Philip Nozuka and singers George Nozuka, Justin Nozuka, and Henry Nozuka. Stern is married to guitarist and vocalist Leni Stern.
At the Berklee College of Music in Boston Stern concentrated on jazz. In 1976 he became a member of Blood, Sweat & Tears and remained with them for two years, appearing on the albums More Than Ever and Brand New Day.
In 1979, he joined Billy Cobham's fusion band. Two years later he joined Miles Davis, making his public debut on in 1981 Boston, a performance recorded on the album We Want Miles. He remained with Davis through 1983 until he was replaced by guitarist John Scofield. At the time, Stern was a heavy drinker and heroin user. In a 2009 interview, he said, "If Miles wants to put you in a rehab, you know you've got something wrong". From 1983 to 1984 he toured with Jaco Pastorius (a period also characterized by heavy drug use) and in 1985 returned to tour with Davis. Stern and his wife were in rehabilitation, and they were also helped by Michael Brecker and others.
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