FITZ and Friends Review by Bruce Fessier

Bruce Fessier from The Desert Sun provided a great review of the 2017 FITZ and Friends concert at the beautiful McCallum Theatre. This event marked a homecoming for rock band Faults of Andreas and celebrated a wealth of musical talent in the Coachella Valley: "I can't get over Friday night's Jimi Fitz Fitzgerald & Friends show at the McCallum. Besides the quality of the music, there was such a sense of community. It felt like going home and realizing those guys you grew up with are still as special as anybody you've ever heard. So great to hear Kevin G Henry Sr and his band, including his son Nick on sax, killing songs by Prince and Bruno Mars and combining with Fitz on "New York State of Mind" the way Sonny Bono and Joe Jagge did it in Sonny's lounge. Kal David still shreds like no one else, but he and Lauri Bono don't get enough credit for their vocal harmonizing. Fitz's wife, Wendy, who can really sing, led them on "Da Doo Ron Ron" and they all sounded great. John Stanley King sang soulfully on "Norwegian Wood" with brother Ronnie on keys, but his own song, "It's A Long Way From Heaven," stood up with that other songwriting duo he was covering. Sax man Will Donato is just a delight. Barry Craig Minniefield has great pipes. So many people I could praise. But Fitz gets big props for showcasing the national talent in our community and for doing a helluva job with the Faults of Andreas on "Hurt" and "Let's Drive." Missed Steven Madaio, but I'm hoping he'll rotate in some younger talent next year. Lot of it out there. But most important is that there is a next year for Fitz & Friends. Thanks to Marc Glassman for photos."