Guitarist Mike Stern was still in his mid-twenties when he put in stints with Billy Cobham and then Miles Davis. Since then he has released more than a dozen of his albums, with a new disc set for late summer. On Big Neighborhood Stern is joined by a variety of notable players. Fellow guitarists Steve Vai and Eric Johnson and does Esperanza Spalding on bass and vocals. Drummer Dave Weckl also backs him as does the totality Medeski Martin & Wood with the results available when Big Neighborhood hits on August 11.

Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, Umphreys McGee Set for Telluride Blues & Brews

The 16th annual Telluride Blues & Brews Festival is set for September 18-20. The event will return to Telluride Town Park in the Colorado box canyon, with fermented beverages aplenty in the offing along with three days of music. The initial roster of performers now includes: Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, Umphreys McGee, Joe Cocker, Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band, Jackie Greene, Xavier Rudd, Otis Taylor’s African Orchestra, Ryan Shaw, Ruthie Foster and The Lee Boys. The full list of participating breweries will be announced soon along with some additional performances.