Mike Stern remembers the 55 Grand Street jazz scene in 1980s NYC

In this extra clip from "JACO" (JACOTheFilm.com), jazz guitarist and composer Mike Stern remembers turning the bar downstairs from his apartment in Manhattan into one of the most exciting jazz scenes in the city. Mike Stern has played with Blood, Sweat & Tears, Bill Cobham, Miles Davis, Jaco Pastorius, the Brecker Brothers, and many others.
"JACO" is a feature documentary produced by Robert Trujillo and directed by Paul Marchand (JACOtheFilm.com).

[@stevemagnone8368]

We are So happy that You survived it all, Mike!

[@GreggBennett-j3p]

I don’t remember a bar called 55 Grand, but I did see Mike Stern more times than I can begin to remember at 55 Bar on Christopher St. I still remember sitting there nursing one of my two drink minimum beers and seeing Mike and his trio play Autumn Leaves. At the time I was semi capable garage punk/blues guitar player, and I’d never seen guitar played in that context. It was magic. By sheer coincidence, while looking for a guitar teacher to show me some jazz stuff, I saw an ad in the Village Voice that said ‘Emily Remler now accepting students’. I had no idea who she was! Best 3 month stretch of lessons of my life. NYC in the 80’s was fabulous.

[@jimhofstetter2747]

I too remember 55 Bar and seeing Mike Stern Trio there countless times in the mid / late 80s. $5 or $10 cover. 2 drink minimum. Packed in there somewhat but man, to be that close to incredible music is a real treat. Fond memories of that scene for sure

[@3340steve]

this bit of film beautifully captures the ambivalence of people who got crazy with drugs and alcohol. They know for sure their playing is way better now that they are sober, but the memories of how much dangerous fun they had when they were totally wasted still brings a smile.

[@KaraokePubCrawl-bt7qk]

Beautiful memory of being invited to 55 Grand in 1982 by John Scofield, after a lesson I'd taken with him. Watched him play with Joe Lovano that night. Magic.

[@cardoma]

Saw Mike and Jaco there a bunch. Hiram Bullock too. Amazing memories

[@KaraokePubCrawl-bt7qk]

Beautiful memory of being invited down to 55 Grand by John Scofield in 1982, after taking a lesson with him. Watched him play with Joe Lovano that night. A few months later I watched Mike Stern play with Billy Cobham at the Bottom Line. Those were Magical Days in NYC!

[@dscott6434]

I Remember 55 Grand..My Old Rock manager Took me there..I met,Mike and Jaco that night,and was Blown away...I used to see Jaco hanging out at Tompkins Square park on Ave A...He was so nice...

[@clydebermingham121]

55 Grand Street was the 1st time I saw Mike Stern in person … playing with JACO (Using the yellow MXR Chorus pedal … is all so remembered about his rig gear ..🤗) His style playing …. Unmistakably recognizable 💥🙏🏽💥

[@anjinsanx44]

I saw Mike in late 80s at club 55....hes great! Inspired me tremendously...ps hope his wrist are 100% healed from fall he had...

[@Dang...]

Saw Mike there jamming with Sco. 55 Grand Street was a very cool hang with great musicians free to explore their creativity. 55 Christopher was great too!!! Mike is a groundbreaking musician who has inspired so many.

[@paulmichaelsmith3207]

Seventh Avenue South, owned or at least run by the Brecker Bros, was also a great hang. Sad that 55 Bar folded cause that was the last bastion of music from that era. And now.

[@ericgendell8874]

I have seen Mike Stern several times live and it's playing is always brilliantly inspired. On one of his gigs with Richard bona I heard him sing and let me tell you he has an absolutely fantastic voice and they were both pitch perfect. While both are great on their respective instruments, they can also headline a singers.

[@golds04]

Its fun till its not. Rip JP. Mike- tremendous talent. Generous human being. 🙏

[@stevewilcock4767]

Mike Stern for President! Rock on!

[@cardboardmusic]

Wow, just the last minute with the bootleg clip, I'd love to hear that in it's entirety!

[@SuperQdaddy]

Hung there many times..in 80s

[@rhythmfield]

1982-83: I was 18-19, playing with a samba band Jaco loved. He invited us (Grupo Batucada) to join Word of Mouth band onstage at 55 Grand. One night after the set I sat at the bar BETWEEN my two heroes Jaco and Sterno. I simply couldn’t believe my luck. I was a bright eyed young drummer/percussionist living the dream… till I realized…these cats were all stringy haired hanging over their faces and pretty much incoherent … I was pretty naive and just thought…”Wow…these guys seem pretty wiped out …”… the conversation was severely limited and the music DID suffer … right then I figured… maybe that type of hang ain’t for me, even if these guys are really geniuses, I mean REALLY geniuses !!! ❤️🥁🎶😎

[@vinnnney]

A joy one night to witness Steve Grossman cut up Branford. “Choose your weapon, “. Steve said; and slayed him with his soprano. Whew

[@streetwiseguitar5113]

I have bootlegs of him from this time period

[@CrandMackerel]

I head that the bar and Mike and Leni's place above it were called "55 Grams" by those who could play and hang.

[@lulossaurorex]

Mike just looks so much like Malcon Young.

[@christopherweise438]

He really does.

[@tomcarl8021]

I thought it was Malcolm when I first saw the thumbnail.

[@warshipsatin8764]

am i wrong or was this entire film uploaded at one point? i specitically remember this interview and an interview with jaco's son where "a midwestern nights dream" was playing

[@RogerBiwandu]

I guess the 55 Grand and the 55 Bar (closed now) are two different places ?

[@JacoTheFilm]

Yes - 55 Grand Street is the address of the former which was SW Soho. 55 Bar was on 55 Christopher Street in the West Village. Jaco played at 55 Grand. Jaco's sons often played at 55 Bar.

[@RogerBiwandu]

@@JacoTheFilm Thanks !!!

[@davidsheriff9274]

55 Christopher unfortunately didn't survive the pandemic. I used to see Mike there all the time, every Monday and Wednesday. We would sit at the front table, Mike would literally be about three feet away,he was like a God,up there.I've seen him many times in other venues and I have never heard him play the way he did at that club. It's crazy and ironic to think about,but Mike survived all those years of drugs just to be almost completely sidelined by a freak accident from tripping over some construction equipment left in the street. He broke both of his arms, it's incredibly inspirational that he was able to come back. Mike Stern is really an incredible human being.

[@chipstern1]

55 Grams is what 4:22 some of us used to call it. Was an over the top scene. A lot of good music, but a lot of...well, a lot of toomuchisnotenough. Jaco went off the deep end, and it was sad to see.

[@blobscott]

Does anyone know where the full recording of that piece at the end of this clip can be found? Sounds great!

[@JacoTheFilm]

They're playing Funky Broadway - it's a 1983 recording from the audience at 55 Grand Street. Father's Day. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3SaeJ-Jpalob9ksi=DGsXSvXxwn_lopKN&t=1450

[@blobscott]

@@JacoTheFilm Thanks! So great to be able to hear this.. listening now! Also, great documentary! Really enjoyed it.

[@clydebermingham121]

55 Grand Street was the first place I saw Mike Stern …. The same time I first saw JACO …,. The WORD OF MOUTH tour Kenwood (or Kenward ? Spell check ) Denard on drums …. MUSTAFA on trumpet …. Alex Foster in Sax …. And as guest ..some Drum Core Team from a University in Florida …

[@clydebermingham121]

I wish there were smart phones with vid cameras back then …

[@paulgentile1024]

Thank God they weren't around

[@LoyalOpposition]

I wish they were never created.

[@sbonamo]

Only in New York ;-)

[@anthonyryan11]

Straight from the horses mouth

[@jeshkam]

Who was the other guitar player before Mike?

[@marciohenrique1872]

I saw the cover photo and thought it was a woman... lol

[@rigelloar7474]

I saw and heard Mike with Jaco's band , I love them both, but that was one of the most disappointing nights of my life. They were both totally wasted and stunk the joint up big time. Luckily Mike straightened himself out and is doing well. In hindsight it all seems clear, but at the time, we didn't know about Jaco's slow motion suicide. What a tragedy . . . . . . .