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Mike Stern: The Story Behind Echoes and Other Songs
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Mike Stern
guitarb.1953
From the heartfelt tributes embedded in his music to the sheer joy of collaboration, Stern's words paint a vivid picture of an artist who has never stopped evolving. "It's just... usually when I'm thinking about doing a record, I've got enough music together, and maybe even more than I need," Stern explained when discussing the concept behind Echoes.
Stern's accolades are well-known: six Grammy nominations, collaborations with legends like
Miles Davis
trumpet1926 - 1991
Jaco Pastorius
bass, electric1951 - 1987
Jim Beard
piano1960 - 2024
The album showcases two distinct lineups of musicians, a concept Stern and Beard devised together. One group includes jazz heavyweights
Christian McBride
bassb.1972
Antonio Sanchez
drumsb.1971
Chris Potter
saxophone, tenorb.1971
The other lineup features Stern's longtime collaborators,
Dennis Chambers
drumsb.1959
Richard Bona
bass, electricb.1967
Bob Franceschini
saxophone, tenorb.1961
While the album is a triumph, it also carries a deeply personal resonance for Stern. Many tracks were inspired by his own experiences, both joyous and challenging. The song "Curtis" pays homage to
Curtis Mayfield
guitar and vocals1942 - 1999
Stern also highlighted the track "Stuff Happens," describing it as "a bluesy kind of tune" that took on a life of its own. "When I write, I try to stay within the tune, working with the original seed of the idea," he explained. "And those guys just played it great."
For Stern, collaboration is vital. Whether with his wife or the world-class musicians on Echoes, the joy of creating together is at the heart of his artistry. "It's always a conversation," he said. "When you get everybody in the studio, playing at the same time, you get all kinds of last-minute decisions that take the music in directions you didn't expect. That's what I love about it!"
As 2025 approaches, Stern is preparing for a busy year, with plans to tour Europe, Australia, and Japan. But for now, he focuses on sharing Echoes and Other Songs with audiences. "I've been on the road a lot these past couple of years, more than I thought I would be," he admitted. "But I'm grateful. I never thought I'd get to do this. I thought I'd be lucky to be a guitar teacher. And here I am."
Reflecting on his journey, Stern shared his philosophy: "I'm gonna keep trying with whatever I got. You know I got to. Because I love it, and love means that some days you hate it, those two sides are on the same coin. But the love is definitely winning out."
Through it all, Stern remains as passionate about music as ever. For fans of jazz fusion, Echoes and Other Songs is not just an album—it's a testament to Stern's enduring artistry and an invitation to join him on his continuing journey.
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