Mike Stern Reflects on Jaco Pastorius: Friendship, Music, and Unforgettable Moments

Premier Guitar recently dropped a new episode of Cory Wong’s Wong Notes podcast, featuring the legendary jazz guitarist Mike Stern. In this insightful conversation, Stern opened up about his friendship and musical collaboration with the iconic bassist Jaco Pastorius. Their bond – both personal and professional – shaped some memorable moments.

A Friendship Forged in Music

Stern’s journey into the upper echelon of jazz began with a pivotal invitation from saxophonist Bill Evans to join Miles Davis’s band. That experience would later lead Stern to collaborate with Jaco, forming a musical connection rooted in improvisation and shared passion.

“I played with Miles for about two or three years, and then I played with Jaco for a while,” Stern recalled. “I played with Dave Sanborn, then came back. Miles called me back to the band because I cleaned up at that point.”

Stern and Jaco’s paths intertwined naturally, built on mutual respect for each other’s musicianship. While Stern’s guitar style fused rock energy with jazz fluency, Jaco brought a fearless and inventive spirit to every performance.

Jaco’s Balance of Spontaneity and Precision

Jaco was known for his unpredictable brilliance, often blurring the line between meticulous preparation and raw improvisation. Stern offered a glimpse into Jaco’s approach:

“There was a lot in the moment, a lot of that,” Stern explained. “Especially, I mean, we had songs that we would play, and then he would stretch out and play solos that were just improvised over the changes of whatever, or just over a groove. He would cop a groove. Sometimes we would just make something up.”

However, Stern also noted that Jaco wasn’t purely spontaneous. “I heard that, like, when he did ‘Donna Lee,’ he actually wrote out the solo and played the shit out of it. Either way, it’s incredible.”

This mix of structure and improvisation made Jaco’s performances electric and unpredictable.

The Energy of Live Performances

Stern vividly remembered the powerful energy of playing live with Jaco, highlighting the freedom and creativity that defined their shows.

“It was really open,” Stern said. “And then, of course, his soloing… one thing I’ve heard – and I don’t even know if it’s true, but it might be – is that certain things that he recorded, he would play a great solo, and then kind of go over every little thing… and fix everything they needed to fix in there.”

Stern also spoke about the lineup during those performances, recalling drummer Kenwood Dennard and keyboardist Delmar Brown. “Originally, we just started off with piano, with a piano in the band. Then it was just me for a while, just guitar playing the chords. But it was really open.”

A Legacy of Expression Over Speed

Reflecting on musical expression, Stern emphasized the importance of storytelling over technical flash.

“I think that’s a good thing to bring up. It’s really important to try to tell a story, you know?” Stern said. “Basically, I always try to start off slower and then get more information as it goes along. Like telling a story, you say, ‘Once upon a time…’ Like that. It’s just, you know… too much at once… then where do you go?”

He also acknowledged Jaco’s mastery of balancing technical skill with emotional depth. “Jaco wasn’t just about flashy playing – he told stories with his music. Even when he played fast, it was always saying something.”

Jaco’s Influence Endures

Stern’s memories of Jaco paint a picture of a musician whose creativity was as profound as his playing. Beyond the technical brilliance, it was Jaco’s ability to connect emotionally through his music that left a lasting mark.

“I was really happy to be involved in it,” Stern reflected. “It was a great band.”