Johnny Mathis concert at
Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa, US
Sat, 10 May 2025

I am so grateful to have heard the legendary Johnny Mathis backed by the fabulous Mancini Orchestra. Johnny is 81 and performs for the pure joy and standing ovation enthusiasm he receives after almost every song. A packed audience was shouting "We love you Johnny" at the now elderly and utterly adorable little bent man with the unmistakable voice. His cautious, teasing little body moves and attention to each section of the audience was perfect.
He entered onstage wearing a "Miami Vice" white jacket and to me was unrecognizable under his shoulder length gray hair and bent stance. When the orchestra started playing and Johnny sang "When I fall in love", it was magic. His voice has a mellowness to it that I prefer to his decades earlier recordings. His memory is spot on, as is his phrasing and breath control. He could definitely record and I hope he does. I hope he knows how much his audience took away from that last performance that will ( at least for me) be a cherished memory.