In a career that spans three decades and a discography that includes more than a dozen eclectic and innovative recordings, five-time Grammy nominee Mike Stern has established himself as one of the premier jazz and jazz-fusion guitarists and composers of his generation. The Mike Sern Quartet featuring drummer Dave Weckl, Randy Brecker on trumpet and Tom Kenedy on bass will perform on December 19th – December 20th at Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood.

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Artist Info & Albums

Mike Stern got his start as a guitar player with Blood, Sweat & Tears at age 22. He moved to New York City, where he was recruited by Miles Davis to play in Miles’ celebrated comeback band of 1981. During his three-year period with Miles, Stern appeared on three recordings with the jazz maestro – Man with the Horn, Star People and the live We Want Miles. He toured with Jaco Pastorius’ Word of Mouth Band from 1983 through 1985 and returned to Miles’ lineup for a second tour of duty that lasted close to a year.

In 1985, Stern recorded Neesh, his first recording as a leader, for the Japan-based Trio label. A year later, he made his debut on Atlantic with Upside Downside, featuring such celebrated colleagues as David Sanborn, Jaco Pastorius, saxophonist Bob Berg, bassists Mark Egan and Jeff Andrews, keyboardist Mitch Forman and drummers Dave Weckl and Steve Jordan. Over the next two years, Stern was a member of Michael Brecker’s potent quintet, appearing on Don’t Try This At Home.

The 90’s was a good time for Stern, producing many of his most classic and favorite albums still being enjoyed today. His acclaimed 1993 release, Standards, earned him the pick of Best Jazz Guitarist of the Year by the readers and critics of Guitar Player magazine. He followed that up with two hard hitting offerings – Is What It Is (1994) and Between The Lines (1996) – both of which scored Grammy nominations. In 1997, he recorded Give And Take with bassist John Patitucci, drummer Jack DeJohnette, percussionist Don Alias and special guests Michael Brecker and David Sanborn.

Stern’s ninth release for Atlantic was a six-string summit with colleagues Bill Frisell and John Scofield that was appropriately titled Play. His Voices (2001) release, his first foray into vocal music, was also another Grammy nominee. Stern received his 4th Grammy nomination for the 2006 release Who Let The Cats Out?. Stern joined the renowned Yellowjackets for Lifecycle, which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Contemporary Jazz Album in 2008.

In August 2009, Stern released his most recent album, Big Neighborhood. Aiding him in this latest chapter in his never-ending quest for the new and better groove is a long list of talented guests: guitarists Steve Vai and Eric Johnson; bassist-vocalists Esperanza Spalding and Richard Bona; jamband godfathers Medeski Martin & Wood; drummers Dave Weckl, Terri Lyne Carrington, Cindy Blackman and Lionel Cordew; bassists Chris Minh Doky and Lincoln Goines, saxophonists Bob Franceschini and Bob Malach, trumpeter Randy Brecker and keyboardist/producer Jim Beard.

More Artist Info

Performance Details

December 19th (8:00pm, 10:00pm)
December 20th (7:30pm, 9:30pm)

Cover: $20-$30, depending on day

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Location:
Catalina Bar & Grill
6725 West Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood California 90028
Phone: (323) 466-2210
http://www.catalinajazzclub.com

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