Mike Stern returns with Echoes and Other Songs, a boundary-pushing album that fuses gospel, blues, and African influences with his signature virtuosity, backed by a lineup including Christian McBride, Antonio Sanchez, and Chris Potter.
Mike Stern, a legendary name when it comes to jazz guitar, continues to expand his musical legacy with his latest album, Echoes and Other Songs. Known for his virtuosic skill and genre-defying style, Stern has collaborated with an impressive roster over the decades, performing alongside the likes of Miles Davis, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Jaco Pastorius, and the Brecker Brothers. With the new album, Stern brings together an all-star cast of musicians, including Chris Potter, Jim Beard, Christian McBride, Antonio Sanchez, Richard Bona, and Dennis Chambers, to deliver an album that bridges generations of guitar and jazz enthusiasts.
Echoes and Other Songs, Stern’s sixteenth solo album and his first solo release without a co-lead since 2017 draws from a broad range of influences, incorporating elements of African music, gospel, and blues into his compositions. The result is a vibrant and dynamic collection of 11 original tracks that showcase his unmatched versatility and ability to push the boundaries of jazz guitar.
The album’s lead single, "Gospel Song," features none other than 9-time Grammy Award-winning bassist Christian McBride. As Stern explains about the track, “It’s definitely got a blues vibe and it opens with a short but really wonderful solo from Christian McBride. 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.”
From his early days growing up in Washington, D.C., Stern was drawn to guitar legends like Jim Hall, Wes Montgomery, and Jimi Hendrix - three distinct forces that shaped his musical journey. He blends their finesse, swing, and raw power into a sound that was uniquely his own. Today, that unmistakable Stern style is as evident as ever, infused with the blues-driven intensity of Albert and B.B. King, another set of influences that helped form his place among the jazz greats.
Whether leading his own bands or backing icons like Miles Davis and David Sanborn, Mike Stern has always been a guitarist capable of moving seamlessly between genres and pushing musical boundaries. Echoes and Other Songs continues that tradition, offering a deeply resonant listening experience that will captivate old fans and new listeners alike.