The axe effect

American guitar hero Mike Stern promises to rock the crowd on two Jazz evenings with Louiz Banks and group

When we catch up with jazz guitarist Mike Stern in America, over a phone conversation before he flies down, he sounds eager to board the flight to Mumbai.

The guitarist who cut his teeth in jazz with the legendary Miles Davis' comeback band says, "I hope it is just the beginning.
u00a0
I want to bring my own band down. India is so special. Indian music has been a big part of our culture right from the 60s and I've been very aware of the power and extent of its influence on our music."



In fact, well-known musicians and Stern's long-time bandmates banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck and bassist Richard Bona have been making frequent visits to India and swapping notes with Stern.

They've been waxing, tells Stern. "Last night, I played with Richard at New York's 55 bar and he told me that India will be a lot of fun. He
mentioned he had performed at Blue Frog."

Known for his jazz-rock explorations when he was with the band Blood, Sweat and Tears, Stern tells us that his concerts with Louiz Banks in Mumbai won't be straight-up jazz.
u00a0
"We're going to be adventurous. I have to rock it." Stern collaborated with Banks on the 2008 release titled Miles from India, the Miles Davis tribute album. "He's smokin'. My wife Leni's performed with him in the past and he was the first person I called when I decided I wanted to come to India."
u00a0
Stern will be accompanied by Banks' son Gino on the drums, and bassist Sheldon D'Silva along with other Indian musicians. "We'll be doing some material from Big Neighbourhood," he says of his Grammy-nominated album that released last year.

The guitarist says his vocalist wife Leni, who is learning Indian classical music, has been familiarising him with, "the Indian scene." He adds, "It's cool to hear Western music that's happening here, with an Indian flavour. The music of Slumdog (Millionaire) was great. Leni has some cool music."

Stern performed in India for the first time a decade ago with his trio. "I left the next day after my concert so I didn't really experience anything," he says. This time around Stern has planned an eight-day visit and says he has a lot to explore. "I'm going to be bombarding Indian musicians with questions," he warns.

ON: Tonight, 10 pm at Blue Frog, opposite Kamala Mills. Entry: Rs 1,500 (seating), Rs 700 (standing). Call: 40332300.
Also on March 18, 7.30 pm at Tata Theatre, NCPA. Tickets: 1,200,
Rs 800, Rs. 400. Call: 2282 4567