July 16, 2024: Today, 6-time GRAMMY nominated jazz guitarist Mike Stern announced his new album Echoes And Other Songs will be released on September 13. Marking his debut release on Mack Avenue Music Group/Artistry Music, Echoes delivers all the elements that longtime Stern fans want, and then some: the hook-filled rapid-fire bebop writing; the gorgeous melodic sensibility culled from African music, gospel and other influences; the breakneck improvisations that pepper hornlike bop virtuosity with rock fire. Along with the announcement, Stern has shared the lead single “Stuff Happens,” which features the 9-time Grammy Award winner Christian McBride.
Listen to “Stuff Happens”
“It’s definitely got a Blues vibe and it opens with a short but really wonderful solo from Christian McBride,” Stern says of the track. “He is definitely not only one of the greatest upright bass players ever, but he plays amazing electric bass. Of course, I knew that going into this project, so I asked him to play a lot of electric bass and he did that so beautifully on this tune. He played great on everything.”
Stern has been celebrated for his versatile playing style since he first hit the scene in the 1970s, transcending genres by performing with Blood, Sweat & Tears, Miles Davis, Jaco Pastorius, The Brecker Brothers, David Sanborn, Béla Fleck, Yellowjackets and more. With Echoes and Other Songs, Stern brings together an all-star group of musicians, including Christian McBride, Chris Potter, Antonio Sanchez, Richard Bona & Dennis Chambers, for 11 brand-new originals that will captivate and unite guitar and jazz fans of all generations. This is Stern’s first release since the loss of longtime producer and keyboardist Jim Beard (who played on and produced the album), the closure of Stern’s beloved 55 Bar, and his 2016 injury, which he continues to face physical hurdles from.
