how do you get past it?

[brake]

I don't know if I could get past the "Holy ****, Mike Stern is on the other side of the stage!" mentality and be able to concentrate on music - Was this something you had to overcome? Not just with Stern obviously, but any of the great musicians you've worked with - Is it intimidating? Does that go away?

[janekbass]

I wanted to do what I do since the first time I heard Laurence Cottle play the bass about 12 years ago. So the entire twelve or thirteen years I've been playing the bass have been leading up to those moments that some people might feel nervous in. I thrive on the fact that someone like Mike Stern is on the other side of the stage. I learn the most from players that are far in advance of me, and I strive to consistently surround myself with far better players. I get excited about working with someone who I greatly admire, but I don't get nervous. It doesn't really matter if there are 70 or 70,000 people there to watch it's just what I do, and I love it.

If you ever come across that feeling of nerves you just have to think that everyone is there to make music, not to judge you. If you've ended up on a stage with someone great or famous, there's a reason for it. Just enjoy it and learn from it. The more confidence you go into those situations with the more you can enjoy them and take something from them. And the more people will call you back for those types of situation again.

Easy,

Janek