On October 12 the Friends’ Live @ the Library series continued with a concert by jazz guitarist Mimi Fox and her trio, with Eddie Mendenhall on organ and Lorca Hart on drums. Fox delivered a wide range of instrumental selections, including the old gospel song “Wayfaring Stranger” and Paul Simon’s “Loves Me Like a Rock.” She opened with a virtuoso version of Miles Davis’s “Stella by Starlight” and closed the show with the title cut from her new album, “This Bird Still Flies.” Judging by the energy and skill of the performance, the bird is indeed still flying.
As usual, the concert was sold out. In addition to Eileen Savel’s great job lining up the performers for these concerts, it should be noted the concerts would not be possible without the “behind the scenes” team of Luzanne Engh, John Kaso, and Jeanie Egbert. Along with Eileen, they do the myriad jobs necessary to getting these first-rate shows on the stage.
This year’s final concert will be on Saturday, November 16 at 8:00pm, featuring the Dmitri Matheny Quintet. If you like jazz, you will love this performer, whom the SF Chronicle called “one of the jazz world’s most talented horn players.” His instrument, the flugelhorn, is similar to a trumpet, but with a more mellow, diffused sound. A few tickets may be available at the door.
— David Beall