Mimi Fox “Tribute to Wes Montgomery”, Thurs. June 14
Mimi Fox “Tribute to Wes Montgomery”
Thursday, June 14
Kuumbwa Jazz
Most jazz guitarists claim allegiance to Wes Montgomery, but few can pull off a worthy tribute to the man whose legacy has reached mythological status. Mimi Fox is one of those precious few who can. Recognized by critics and colleagues alike as one of the most eloquent guitarists on the scene today, Fox has made distinctive performances alongside Charlie Byrd, Mundell Lowe and more; all helping her prepare for her upcoming tribute to Montgomery and blaze her own trail up the Mt. Olympus of jazz guitar.
Born in New York City, Fox started playing drums at nine and guitar when she was ten. Inspired by the wide variety of music enjoyed by her family – from show tunes, classical and Dixieland to Motown – she found her true calling when she was fourteen and bought her first jazz album. That album, John Coltrane’s classic Giant Steps, changed the course of her musical life. She began touring as a guitarist right out of high school and eventually settled in the San Francisco Bay area where she became a sought after session and live player
Stunning musicianship aside, as a composer, Fox has written and performed original scores for orchestras, documentary films and dance projects while also receiving grants from prestigious funders such as Meet the Composer and the California Arts Council. As a devoted educator and clinician, Fox has taught master classes worldwide and has served as head of the guitar program at the Jazz School in Berkeley and as an Adjunct Professor at New York University. In 2005, Fox received an award from the International Association Of Jazz Educators for outstanding service to jazz education. She has also published several popular instructional guitar books.
To date, Fox has released nine recordings as a leader, including her newest release on Steve Vai’s Favored Nations label: Live at the Palladium. Of this release, Pop Culture Classics said: “Fox demonstrates her vibrant virtuosity in this concert and turns each selection into a distinctive gem.” Just Jazz Guitar noted: “This is simply jazz guitar playing at its best. Her ideas are creative, heartfelt, and sophisticated.” These accolades could be used to describe Fox’s career as a whole, and if ever there was a worthy player to pay tribute to Wes Montgomery, Fox is the one.
CALENDAR INFO
Mimi Fox “Tribute to Wes Montgomery”
DATE: Thursday, June 14, 2012
PLACE: Kuumbwa Jazz Center
ADDRESS: 320 Cedar St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
TIME: 7:00 PM
PRICE: $18/Adv $21/Door
TICKETS: Logos Books & Records, 1117 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz (831) 427-5100 and online at: http://www.kuumbwajazz.org
MORE INFO: http://www.kuumbwajazz.org or 831-427-2227
Media contact:
Sandy Sloan
sandy@kuumbwajazz.org
(831) 427-2227
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