Mike Stern, hailed as the "Magician of the Fingers" and the "King of Contemporary Guitar," is one of the world's top three guitar virtuosos. After enduring a tumultuous 2016, he rose from the ashes of arm paralysis with an indomitable spirit, making a triumphant return to the stage. In May, during the National Day holiday, he brought his unparalleled six-string storm to Lincoln, igniting the spark of his China tour in Shanghai. This was not just a performance; it was a nuclear explosion in the music world, a magnificent ode to the return of a warrior.

In 2016, Mike Stern suffered a severe accident that left his arms fractured and his right hand nerves damaged. Such injuries were a devastating blow for a guitar virtuoso, as the flexibility of the arms and fingers is crucial for playing. Despite the severity of his condition, Mike Stern did not give up. He underwent a series of complex surgeries and rigorous physical therapy to restore the functionality of his arms. Throughout this process, he demonstrated incredible perseverance and determination, constantly pushing his limits.

Mike's story is a hymn to perseverance and dreams. Faced with sudden challenges, he never gave up. After countless efforts and treatments, he finally returned to the stage he loves. Today, every note he plays is imbued with the resilience and tenacity of life, a testament to his boundless love and pursuit of music!

In 2025, Mike Stern will join forces with drumming legend Dennis Chambers. The collaboration of these two masters is like a double atomic bomb of rhythm and melody, enough to make the entire city sway to the beat!

Performance Lineup

Mike Stern

Born in Boston, USA, Mike Stern graduated from the Berklee College of Music. At the age of 22, he joined the band Blood, Sweat & Tears, where he spent three years. In 1979, he joined Billy Cobham's fusion band, and two years later, he became a member of the Miles Davis ensemble. In June 2007, he was awarded the Miles Davis Award at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, an honor that recognizes internationally renowned jazz artists who have made significant contributions to the revival of jazz.

Dennis Chambers

Dennis Chambers, born on May 9, 1959, in Baltimore, Maryland, is a legendary American jazz fusion and funk drummer, known as a master of rhythm and groove. Chambers' playing style is diverse, but he is most celebrated for his jazz fusion, funk, and Latin music performances. He is renowned for his high-speed playing and triplets on the bass drum, showcasing his superb technique and near-perfect musical aesthetics. Chambers is also adept at "in the pocket" playing, seamlessly integrating into the band's rhythm while showcasing his unique musical style.

Leni Stern (Magdalena Thora)

In 2017, Leni Stern was named one of "The 50 Most Sensational Female Guitarists of All Time" by Guitar Player magazine in its 50th-anniversary issue, aptly calling her a "genre-defying adventurer." Leni's brilliance lies not only in her superb instrumental skills. The interplay of music, history, and humanity has always been her source of inspiration. She says, "Music is one of the most authentic and beautiful expressions of the human spirit, capable of crossing borders, eliminating tribalism, and uniting us—if we are willing."

As an outstanding guitarist, Leni Stern has gained widespread recognition in the jazz world. She is known for her technically superb and emotionally rich playing style, standing out as one of the few female guitarists to receive widespread acclaim in the male-dominated field of jazz guitar.

Blaine Whittaker

This Australian musician has gained global acclaim for his exceptional skills. In the 1990s, he went to New York to study under masters like Wynton Marsalis, George Coleman, and Vincent Herring. After returning to Australia, he spent a decade as a member of the touring band for top jazz trumpeter James Morrison.

Noam Tanzer

Noam Tanzer is a young bassist, songwriter, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. Noam plays both electric bass and double bass and is a member of many bands, covering a wide range of musical styles from improvisational music to hardcore metal, and from Spanish indie rock to the music of Billy Strayhorn.

Noam is a member of Mike Stern's band and frequently collaborates with Grammy Award winners Miguel Zenón and Paquito D'Rivera. Additionally, he has worked with Julieta Rada, Sean Wayland, Mei Semones, Camila Cortina Bello, Hila Rabby, Keelan Donovan, Don Pardo, Ferro Dormer, Brason Jones, Roy BB, and Jelly Club.