Mike Stern Band feat. Dennis Chambers, Bob Franceschini, Noam Tanzer & Leni Stern – 7:00 PM

One of the great jazz guitarists of his generation, Mike Stern has the unique ability to play with the finesse and lyricism of Jim Hall, the driving swing of Wes Montgomery and the turbulent, overdriven attack of Jimi Hendrix. Growing up in the Washington, D.C. area, Stern revered all three of those guitar immortals, along with such potent blues guitarists as Albert and B.B. King. Aspects of those seminal influences can be heard in his playing on the eighteen recordings he has released as a leader or in his acclaimed sideman work for Miles Davis, Billy Cobham, the Brecker Brothers, Jaco Pastorius, Steps Ahead, David Sanborn, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Joe Henderson and the all-star Four Generations of Miles band.

Stern’s latest Concord Jazz release, Eleven, is an encounter with Grammy-winning keyboardist-composer-producer Jeff Lorber. Co-produced by bassist Jimmy Haslip, who had previously worked with the guitarist on the Yellowjackets’ 2008 album, Lifecycle, this lively collaboration finds Stern at the peak of his powers, following on the heels of 2017’s acclaimed Trip. While Trip represented a strong comeback, the intrepid guitarist takes things up a notch on Eleven.

The Mike Stern Band on this concert date features an all-star lineup of drummer Dennis Chambers, saxophonist Bob Franceschini, bassist Noam Tanzer, and guitarist Leni Stern.

Mike Stern Website
(Ticket Includes 5% City of Santa Cruz Admission Tax)