This post was written more than two years ago. The content or information below may no longer be accurate.

ACM was pleased to welcome American Jazz Guitarist Mike Stern who delivered a guitar masterclass session.

More about Mike Stern
With a career spanning three decades and a discography that includes more than a dozen eclectic and innovative recordings, six-time GRAMMY nominee Mike Stern has established himself as one of the premier jazz and jazz-fusion guitarists and composers of his generation.

After studying at Berklee College of Music, Stern got his start as a guitar player with Blood, Sweat & Tears at age 22. Following a brief stint with Billy Cobham’s powerhouse fusion band from 1979 to 1980, he moved to New York City, where he was recruited by Miles Davis to play a key role in Miles’ celebrated comeback band of 1981 (which also included bassist Marcus Miller, drummer Al Foster, percussionist Mino Cinelu and saxophonist Bill Evans) 1983 and then again for a second tour of duty in 1985.

From 1985 onwards, Stern was involved in a number of live music projects appearing with such celebrated colleagues as David Sanborn, Jaco Pastorius, saxophonist Bob Berg, Mark Egan and Jeff Andrews, keyboardist Mitch Forman, drummers Dave Weckl and Steve Jordan and as part of Michael Brecker’s quintet.

Other Accolades & Key Events

  • The acclaimed 1993 release, Standards (And Other Songs), earned him the pick of Best Jazz Guitarist of the Year by the readers and critics of Guitar Player magazine.
  • His 1994 release Is What It Is & 1996 release Between The Lines both of which scored GRAMMY nominations.
  • His 1997 release Give And Take featured bassist John Patitucci, drummer Jack DeJohnette, percussionist Don Alias and special guests Michael Brecker and David Sanborn, which earned him the Orville W. Gibson Award for Best Jazz Guitarist that year.
  • His 2001 release Voices – Stern’s first foray into vocal music – received another GRAMMY nomination.
  • He received a 4th GRAMMY nomination for Who Let The Cats Out?.
  • In 2007, Stern was honoured with the Miles Davis Award at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal.
  • In 2009, Stern released the GRAMMY nominated Big Neighborhood which featured Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, Esperanza Spalding, Richard Bona, Medeski Martin & Wood, Dave Weckl, Terri Lyne Carrington, Cindy Blackman, Lionel Cordew, Chris Minh Doky, Lincoln Goines, Bob Franceschini, Bob Malach, Randy Brecker and Jim Beard.

For more information about Mike Stern visit his website and follow him on Facebook.

Related content