Mike Stern

Sometimes there are no gigs, but the main thing is still the music.

The deeper you get into the music allows the ability to appreciate art and all other forms of expression.

I want the music to connect to people; reach people every time I perform.

I love Jazz because it has the perfect balance of discipline and freedom.

If a literary man puts together two words about music, one of them will be wrong.

Music’s a good thing, it calm the beast in the man.

Your horn is your passport to the world.

Playing the guitar is like telling the truth – you never have to worry about repeating the same [lie] if you told the truth. You don’t have to pretend, or cover up. If someone asks you again, you don’t have to think about it or worry about it because there it is. It’s you.

I always think of music as interior decoration. So, if you have all kinds of music, you are fully decorated!

I always make it a point to pick songs on which players really shine.

I’m not much on gimmicks. I never have been because they don’t last.

[on Prince] I learned about music that didn’t have any barriers or any kind of, like, containment. I learned about wild, crazy topics and ways to express yourself that had never been written in quite that way before. I learned that a human being could be able to defy all stereotypes, and be the epitome of badassness.

When you sing, always tell the truth.

Keep on listening and tapping your feet.

I feel that Jazz improvisation is the ultimate. You have to create on the spot, the essence of this music.

I may be helping to bring harmony between people through my music.

Music is a verb.

Hell is full of musical amateurs.