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The Pacific Jazz Institute at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley presents six-time Grammy nominated guitarist Mike Stern, touring in support of his latest release Big Neighborhood for two nights. Supporting Stern is Randy Brecker (trumpet), Anthony Jackson (bass) and Dennis Chambers (drums). Set times are Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30pm. Doors open at 6pm Tuesday and 5:30pm on Wednesday.

Six-time Grammy nominated guitarist Mike Stern’s music has always come from a colorful and diverse part of town, a place where numerous artistic styles converge to create a fresh sound that is rooted in jazz but refuses to adhere to rigid borders. Since his earliest recordings, this former bandmate of Miles Davis, Jaco Pastorius, Billy Cobham and other high-profile innovators, has grafted elements of rock, blues, soul and more to his solid jazz foundations. On Stern’s street, anybody who brings a sense of energy, eclecticism and passion to the craft of music is welcome to play.

In February 2009, in the first in a series of articles to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Downbeat, Stern was named to the venerable jazz magazine’s list of 75 Great Guitarists. The list spotlights many all-time great jazz, blues and beyond guitarists and shows the wide-ranging influence the guitar has had on music since it made its way into jazz in the 1920s.

Stern’s latest album, Big Neighborhood (2009), was nominated for a Grammy in the category of “Best Contemporary Jazz Album”. Aiding him in this latest chapter in his never-ending quest for the new and better groove, was 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.

About his latest release Big Neighborhood ModernGuitars.com says “This recording is fun from start to finish. The selections are varied in style and keep the listener engaged and wondering what is coming next. Each of the musicians included plays a major role in producing this fine effort. Mike Stern adds another fine chapter to his already strong legacy in this genre of contemporary players.” – Vince Lewis

www.mikestern.org

www.randybrecker.com

www.tomkennedymusic.com

www.dennischambers.com