Andrew Stern is a Boston-based guitarist and composer, teaming up with legendary local bassist John Lockwood for a performance at the Boston Public Library on Thursday January 8th at 5:30. He spoke with Al Davis and Va Lynda Robinson about his unique style, and preparing a new album based on the set for this concert!
Al Davis: Good morning to you, Andrew! We’re talking to Andrew Stern, a Boston guitarist, and he’s going to be part of the GBH Boston Public Library event coming up on January 8, along with John Lockwood on bass. So welcome! Tell us a bit about yourself.
Andrew Stern: Well, I moved here in 1998 to study at the New England Conservatory and just stayed put. It was my original intention to move back to New York City where I was previously, but I’m glad I stayed here. It’s a special place here. It is a small big city.
Al Davis: Tell us a little bit about your style of guitar playing.
Andrew Stern: It’s always tough to figure that out, you know? I don’t know, I’m kind of best at being myself. I was playing last night in kind of a jazz fusion gig and someone told me I was a mix of Dick Dale and Adrian Ballou. Sometimes I get surf references. Sometimes people tell me, oh, you sound like Bill Frisell. I’ll take all of it because that to me is proof that I’m taking all of these different things and fusing them together to make my own thing.
Va Lynda Robinson: You have had many collaborators, Andrew. So, tell me about your collaboration with John Lockwood, since you’ll be performing with John on January 8th.
Andrew Stern: John is a local legend here in Boston, and he’s a top called guy. When I started playing jazz gigs, I finally got up the confidence to call the guy, probably like, 10 or 12 years ago. He said yes and it was a blast. Anytime we get together, it’s time to blast off. There’s total trust, there’s high adventure, as I say. He’s a guy who’s played with everybody, he can do anything. He’s a friend, he’s a legend.
Al Davis: Will you be playing your material?
Andrew Stern: It’s a compilation for sure. We actually are using this opportunity… because we did a concert back in October for the Mandorla Music series, at the Eustis Estate, so we’ve got the material for a concert and I thought, hey, you know, we have this other thing at GBH on January 8th. Why don’t we make a record? So, the Sunday before the concert we’ll go into the studio and cut a record, which will be a mix of my material and some Ellington, some Mingus, some Billy Strayhorn, maybe some John Lennon, Paul McCartney, we’ll see.
Va Lynda Robinson: Is “Black and Tan Fantasy” included on that recording?
Andrew Stern: Yes, we will include it on this next recording and include in this concert. That’s a real fun one to do. Early Ellington stuff is very special, it’s accessible, and it’s malleable and fun to play with in the moment.
Va Lynda Robinson: Fantastic.
Al Davis: Do you have family members that are musicians to get you involved with jazz?
Andrew Stern: I did not, no! I gotta say, I caught the bug when I was at summer camp and we were around the campfire and people were playing guitars and singing songs. I came home and said, “Hey, mom, I want a guitar,” and, you know, I was totally into it. Took lessons and I had some teachers who were sneaking me into the through the the back doors of bars to go see bands and stuff when I was not quite of age. I’ve probably been playing since I was 15. I’m 52 now.
Al Davis: So on Thursday, January 8th at the Boston Public Library, what does our audience expect to hear? What kind of sound?
Andrew Stern: It’s electric guitar and acoustic upright bass! We’re working on the repertoire, definitely some Ellington, maybe [Thelonious] Monk. I made a Monk record, a very far-out Monk record with a group that I called Ugly Beauty probably seven or eight years ago, which is pretty far-reaching. He’s probably rolling in his grave!
Va Lynda Robinson: That’s fantastic. I’m really looking forward to this performance!
Andrew Stern: Yeah, I’m looking forward to meeting you two in person, so I hope to see you there! And, yeah I really relish the opportunity to do this. It’s going to be a great night.
Andrew Stern and John Lockwood play at the Boston Public Library on Thursday January 8th. Seating is free, but we hope you’ll RSVP here so we know you’re coming.
