Photo by Eliot Lee Hazel/Strathmore.
On Saturday, September 11, 2021, Johnny Mathis appeared in concert at the Strathmore Music Center – a stop on his “65 Years of Romance” Tour. Anyone over the age of 60 probably remembers their youthful and romantic embraces with Mathis’ wonderful music playing in the background.
Like many of the pop singers from the late 50s and into 60s, Mathis is a true stylist. Despite his age, he retains that wonderful voice and unique phrasing we have all heard through the decades. He also looks, well, terrific for a man in his 80s and has not lost any volume or range in his voice.
Spending the evening with the incomparable Johnny Mathis was truly ‘Wonderful, Wonderful.’
The memorable night included many of his greatest hits such as “Chances Are,” “The Twelfth of Never,” “It’s Not for Me to Say” and my favorite, “Misty.”
It also included a tribute to the song writer Henry Mancini with many of his favorites — “Moon River,” “Charade” and “The Days of Wine and Roses” to name a few.
Mathis covered some of our beloved show and movie tunes — “Secret Love,” “Baubles, Bangles and Beads,” “Stranger in Paradise” and one Mathis recorded himself, “Wild is the Wind.”
Mathis also gave us his interpretations of “Yesterday,” “When I Fall in Love,” “Let It Be Me,” and “Betcha by Golly, Wow!”
He had the audience swaying to the samba beat of “Mas Que Nada” and an unbelievable rendition of “Brazil” which ended the show until a most desired encore of “Let The Good Times Roll.”
The wonderful orchestra was led by Scott Lavender. Before intermission, the comedian and musician, Gary Muledeer entertained the audience with his humor and his impersonation of Johnny Cash. Muledeer ended his performance with “Mothers Don’t Let Your Sons Grow Up to be Cowboys.”
Spending the evening with the incomparable Johnny Mathis was truly “Wonderful, Wonderful.”
Running Time: Two hours with one 15-minute intermission.
Johnny Mathis will be on tour during 2021-2022 so check this website for other cities where he can be seen performing. Strathmore is offering many other wonderful concerts in this coming year. Check their website for information and tickets.
Strathmore is requiring proof of Covid vaccination or a negative PCR test within 72 hours of the start of the performance and indoor masking throughout the show. To find out more about their COVID policy, go to this link.
