My Content
Membership has its privileges! Sign up or sign in to gain full access to both All About Jazz and Jazz Near You. Learn more.
Mike Stern: What A Trip
"I never trip. I just don't. But then, it just happened." This is how Mike Stern began his story as he explained to my wife and I how it happened.
If you somehow missed it, "it" refers to the tumble Stern took in July of 2016. This accidental fall resulting in both shoulders being shattered. In addition to the broken humerus bones and broken arms, he suffered serious nerve damage in his right arm and right hand.
My wife, Ronda, and I were so fortunate to be seated at a table in the front row at The Catalina Bar & Grill in North Hollywood. We were excited to be able to see and hear guitar virtuoso Mike Stern again. We knew we were in for a stellar night of live music with the formidable quartet also including Bob Franceschini on tenor saxophone, and the dynamics of drummer Dave Weckl and bassist Tom Kennedy rounding out the rhythm section.
What we didn't know was that we would be sitting within three feet of Stern's spot on stage. He came out before the show for the usual final check of his equipment. He said hello and a quick pleasantry to us and the couple sitting next to us. We didn't want to disturb him and didn't plan on saying anything further. In a few minutes, as he started to walk off the stage, he smiled at us and said, "I hope you enjoy the show." I replied that we were just so glad that he was able to perform. He of course knew that I was referring to the accident and was genuinely appreciative of that. It brought to his face that broad engaging smile of his. As he was about to take a step off the stage Ronda, bless her, asked how it happened. He easily could have kept going, pretending he didn't hear her or whatever without being the slightest bit rude. Instead he stopped, turned back and looked at us. Then proceeded back in front of us. He sat on a stool and told us the story. The simple fact that he did that was most kind and genuine.
He was in New York City, not far from his home, about ready to leave for a European tour when some errant construction debris altered his course. He fell backwards on both shoulders. One can only imagine how much that must have hurt. I mentioned that most people would have instinctively tried to put their hands on the ground to brace the fall. But keep in mind that these were no ordinary hands. These were the extraordinary and priceless hands of Mike Stern. So I asked in that blink of an eye moment if he thought of that and had chosen to take the brunt on his shoulders. He looked at me in way that would suggest that no one else had thought to ask him that question. He smiled insightfully and nodded in affirmation. Only his eyes spoke, as if to say "indeed."
He was engaged at this point and went on to tell us about the surgeries and many screws placed in his arm, all in attempts to alleviate and/or improve upon the nerve damage. "Oh, let me show you what I'm doing with my pick now," he said excitedly. He then used scotch tape and wig glue to affix a pick to his fingers. "It's the only way I can play right now," he added. He carefully demonstrated just how he does it, using his left hand to complete this process. It was a necessary adjustment due to the nerve damage. Sure enough, that is how he played that night.
As he arose from his stool he said, "By the way, I'm starting to work on a new record with Dennis Chambers." He said it not only excitedly but also in a manner that came across as if to let us in on something that wasn't public knowledge yet. I have to say, that was pretty darn cool! I, of course, told him that we would be very much looking forward to purchasing and hearing it. We thanked him profusely for spending the time with us and speaking so candidly. "Oh, THANK YOU!" he exclaimed. "Thank you so much for asking, and for your support." Imagine that, such a humble genuine man to be thanking us!
Leni Stern, Mike's beautiful and talented wife, was at the jazz club that evening. This was not an evening for her enchanting singing voice or exquisite guitar skills. She was there to support her husband. Her concern and love for him was readily apparent. Moreover, it was sweet and touching. With our close proximity to the stage it was moving to see and feel her emotion.
This is not intended as a concert review, so I will be succinct in that regard. Simply said, it was a great night of music. Weckl, Kennedy, and Franceschini were clearly prepared to support their colleague and friend both musically and emotionally. As for Stern, it must have been the scotch tape and glue....ha! Seriously, he/they were tight, melodic, inventive, and sensational. In other words, a "typical" Mike Stern show! After they played a couple of tunes we shared a laugh. Stern winked in our direction while holding up his right hand. This was body language for "Hey, look how well the scotch tape and glue is holding up."
If you somehow missed it, "it" refers to the tumble Stern took in July of 2016. This accidental fall resulting in both shoulders being shattered. In addition to the broken humerus bones and broken arms, he suffered serious nerve damage in his right arm and right hand.
My wife, Ronda, and I were so fortunate to be seated at a table in the front row at The Catalina Bar & Grill in North Hollywood. We were excited to be able to see and hear guitar virtuoso Mike Stern again. We knew we were in for a stellar night of live music with the formidable quartet also including Bob Franceschini on tenor saxophone, and the dynamics of drummer Dave Weckl and bassist Tom Kennedy rounding out the rhythm section.
What we didn't know was that we would be sitting within three feet of Stern's spot on stage. He came out before the show for the usual final check of his equipment. He said hello and a quick pleasantry to us and the couple sitting next to us. We didn't want to disturb him and didn't plan on saying anything further. In a few minutes, as he started to walk off the stage, he smiled at us and said, "I hope you enjoy the show." I replied that we were just so glad that he was able to perform. He of course knew that I was referring to the accident and was genuinely appreciative of that. It brought to his face that broad engaging smile of his. As he was about to take a step off the stage Ronda, bless her, asked how it happened. He easily could have kept going, pretending he didn't hear her or whatever without being the slightest bit rude. Instead he stopped, turned back and looked at us. Then proceeded back in front of us. He sat on a stool and told us the story. The simple fact that he did that was most kind and genuine.
He was in New York City, not far from his home, about ready to leave for a European tour when some errant construction debris altered his course. He fell backwards on both shoulders. One can only imagine how much that must have hurt. I mentioned that most people would have instinctively tried to put their hands on the ground to brace the fall. But keep in mind that these were no ordinary hands. These were the extraordinary and priceless hands of Mike Stern. So I asked in that blink of an eye moment if he thought of that and had chosen to take the brunt on his shoulders. He looked at me in way that would suggest that no one else had thought to ask him that question. He smiled insightfully and nodded in affirmation. Only his eyes spoke, as if to say "indeed."
He was engaged at this point and went on to tell us about the surgeries and many screws placed in his arm, all in attempts to alleviate and/or improve upon the nerve damage. "Oh, let me show you what I'm doing with my pick now," he said excitedly. He then used scotch tape and wig glue to affix a pick to his fingers. "It's the only way I can play right now," he added. He carefully demonstrated just how he does it, using his left hand to complete this process. It was a necessary adjustment due to the nerve damage. Sure enough, that is how he played that night.
As he arose from his stool he said, "By the way, I'm starting to work on a new record with Dennis Chambers." He said it not only excitedly but also in a manner that came across as if to let us in on something that wasn't public knowledge yet. I have to say, that was pretty darn cool! I, of course, told him that we would be very much looking forward to purchasing and hearing it. We thanked him profusely for spending the time with us and speaking so candidly. "Oh, THANK YOU!" he exclaimed. "Thank you so much for asking, and for your support." Imagine that, such a humble genuine man to be thanking us!
Leni Stern, Mike's beautiful and talented wife, was at the jazz club that evening. This was not an evening for her enchanting singing voice or exquisite guitar skills. She was there to support her husband. Her concern and love for him was readily apparent. Moreover, it was sweet and touching. With our close proximity to the stage it was moving to see and feel her emotion.
This is not intended as a concert review, so I will be succinct in that regard. Simply said, it was a great night of music. Weckl, Kennedy, and Franceschini were clearly prepared to support their colleague and friend both musically and emotionally. As for Stern, it must have been the scotch tape and glue....ha! Seriously, he/they were tight, melodic, inventive, and sensational. In other words, a "typical" Mike Stern show! After they played a couple of tunes we shared a laugh. Stern winked in our direction while holding up his right hand. This was body language for "Hey, look how well the scotch tape and glue is holding up."
Tags
Mike Stern
Catalina Jazz Club
Bob Franceschini
Dave Weckl
Tom Kennedy
New York City
Leni Stern
Catalina Bar & Grill
Trip
Profiles
Related Video
View All Events
| Date | Detail |
|---|---|
|
Dec6Thu
9:00 pm
|
Mike SternMusical Instrument MuseumPhoenix, AZ |
|
Dec11Tue
8:00 pm
|
Mike SternYoshi's OaklandOakland, CA |
|
Dec12Wed
8:00 pm
|
Mike SternYoshi's OaklandOakland, CA |
|
Dec12Wed
10:00 pm
|
Mike SternYoshi's OaklandOakland, CA |
|
Dec13Thu
8:30 pm
|
Mike Stern W/ Dave Weckl, Bob Malach & Tom Kennedy!Catalina Bar & GrillHollywood, CA |
|
Dec13Thu
10:30 pm
|
Mike Stern W/ Dave Weckl, Bob Malach & Tom Kennedy!Catalina Bar & GrillHollywood, CA |
|
Dec14Fri
8:30 pm
|
Mike Stern W/ Dave Weckl, Bob Malach & Tom Kennedy!Catalina Bar & GrillHollywood, CA |
Related Articles
Genius Guide to JazzTop 10 Moments in Jazz History
by Jeff Fitzgerald, Genius
Published: November 12, 2018
Album Showcase
-
La Fenice by Keith Jarrett
Shop Amazon
Story of the Day
In 1998, having a blast playing with a big band made up of students from Thelonius Monk's Institute of Jazz, outdoors, surrounded by the gorgeous mountains of Aspen Snow Mass, I was thinking how much I wanted to create a smaller band that would have the same power of a big band, but with so much more room in it for each musician to shine. Little did I know this was the beginning of a beautiful journey, one that continues to this day, in which every concert, every recording is another beginning, another thrill, another joy. I conceived of the band as a septet 20 years ago, and later refined it to a sextet in 2005
Read more
By Amina Figarova
Member since: 2014
Cast Your Vote!
Help us identify the world's top 100 jazz venues. Voting takes seconds so please participate!
