You love music. And you may love jazz too. And so you have found my jazz playground… where I share what I believe to be overlooked nuggets of gold from the past. And in each case you can participate by listening and enjoying these moments along with me. Recommended Listening… below.

The mid-80s was a pivotal era for Leni Stern. After relocating to New York City and establishing herself at the legendary 55 Bar in Greenwich Village, 1985 marked the year she finally transitioned from a supporting guitarist to a formidable bandleader and composer.

The Debut: Clairvoyant

While often listed with a 1986 release date, Clairvoyant was recorded in December 1985 at Secret Sound Studios in NYC. This debut album was a massive statement in the contemporary jazz and fusion scene.

The Lineup: Stern assembled an “all-star” group that featured some of the most influential names in jazz:

• Bill Frisell (Guitar)

• Paul Motian (Drums)

• Harvie Swartz (Bass)

• Larry Willis (Piano)

• Bob Berg (Tenor Saxophone)

The Sound: The album was produced by the late Hiram Bullock. It is characterized by its “atmospheric fusion” and melodic sensitivity, blending jazz-rock elements with the moody, haunting textures that became a Stern trademark.

Notable Work & Performances in 1985

Throughout 1985, the Leni Stern Band was a fixture in the NYC jazz circuit, refining the material that would appear on her debut.

• Seventh Avenue South Residencies: In late 1985 (specifically November and December), the band performed several high-profile sets at Seventh Avenue South, the famous jazz club owned by the Brecker Brothers. These shows often featured Bill Frisell on guitar and guitar synthesizer, creating a dense, ethereal dual-guitar front.

• Compositional Shift: During this time, Stern was primarily known as an instrumental composer. Her shift toward vocals didn’t happen until much later (the late 90s), so her 1985 work was strictly focused on complex, melodic jazz-fusion arrangements.