Jazz greats Leni Stern (vocals, guitar), Mimi Fox (vocals, guitar), Dennis Chambers (drums), Mamadou Ba (bass), and Alioune Faye (percussion) recently performed in a series of shows at Blues Alley in DC. Steve Satzberg was there to photograph one of the late shows!
The following article is adapted from press materials.
On April 3, two of the most accomplished women in jazz joined forces for one of several shows at Blues Alley: Leni Stern and Mimi Fox!
Leni Stern was named one of the “50 Most Sensational Female Guitarists of All Time” in Guitar Player magazine’s 50th anniversary issue in 2017, with the publication aptly dubbing her “a genre-defying adventurer.” Leni’s example shines beyond just prowess on her instrument. The pursuit of her career across more than four decades has been in effect a political act – a practice in strength and defiance to be a woman and a bandleader, a female electric guitarist and a composer, an artist who produces her own albums and manages her own career.
In 2021, Leni released Dance, her latest album. A product of pandemic times, Dance was written and rehearsed in autumn 2020 and then recorded, under safe conditions, at Shelter Island Sound in December 2020, with Leni producing. The album features her regular collaborators Mamadou Ba (bass) and Alioune Faye (drums)! For those in need of music to purge the pandemic blues, Dance fits the bill perfectly, brimming as it does with rhythmic joie de vivre and hum-along melody.
Below you can watch Stern, Ba, and Faye perform live as a trio at Issyra in 2023 for Leni’s song “The Cat Stole the Moon” from Sabini (2011).
Watch the Leni Stern Trio perform “The Cat Stole the Moon” live on YouTube:
Internationally renowned guitarist/composer/recording artist Mimi Fox has been named a winner in six consecutive Downbeat Magazine international critic’s polls and has been recognized by writers and colleagues alike as one of the most eloquent guitarists on today’s scene. In one of many feature stories, Guitar Player Magazine hailed Mimi as “a prodigious talent who has not only mastered the traditional forms but has managed to reinvigorate them.” In a further nod to Mimi’s guitar artistry, and in conjunction with Heritage Guitars’ 30th anniversary, the historic Kalamazoo guitar company has rolled out the Mimi Fox Artist Signature model.
Mimi has released 10 recordings as a leader including her most recent release, Standards, Old & New. The new CD has received universal praise: “Consummate mastery, each piece is a gem,” said Grammy nominated writer Jim Ferguson. “Mimi has mastered the art,” said Jazz Guitar Society of Western Australia. “Beyond her passion and virtuosity, Fox plays with a profundity that only comes from a lifetime of devotion to ones art,” said Guitar Player Magazine.
Watch the Mimi Fox Organ Trio perform “Moanin'” (from their 2023 album One for Wes) live on YouTube:
The two jazz guitar masters were joined by drummer Dennis Chambers! Chambers began drumming at the age of four years, and he was gigging in Baltimore-area nightclubs by the age of six. He was recruited in 1981 by the Sugar Hill Label to be their “house drummer.” Dennis plays on many Sugar Hill releases. In 1978 (at 18 years old), he joined Parliament/Funkadelic, and he stayed with them until 1985. In 1986, he joined the John Scofield band. Since then, he has played with most of the major figures in jazz fusion music.
Said Steve, “As a drummer, seeing Dennis Chambers in person was mind-blowing, but every one of these musicians was incredible. Definitely a treat!”
Here are some photos of Leni Stern (vocals, guitar), Mimi Fox (vocals, guitar), Dennis Chambers (drums), Mamadou Ba (bass), and Alioune Faye (percussion) performing live at Blues Alley on April 3, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.
