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Erin Aldridge performs at UW-Superior with Angie and Danny Frank. Photos by Jill Fisher.

On dark and stormy winter night, a very special music event was held: a recital by Erin Rochelle Aldridge.

For most folks who are into music in these parts, Aldridge is known for her virtuosity on the violin, whether as Concert Master of the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra or her alter ego membership in the rockin’ Americana/bluegrass band, Danny Frank & the Smoky Gold.

Possibly you also know that she is a professor of violin and viola in the music department at the University of Wisconsin Superior (properly Dr. Erin Aldridge).

But did you know she also she’s a composer and songwriter as well?

This was one of the facets of Aldridge displayed on Tuesday, Feb. 17, when she performed at Webb Recital Hall in the Holden Building on the UWS campus. It was one of the University Recital Series. The program had two sections, the first was the classical component, in the second she showcased what she has come to call “grassical” works.

Four pieces comprised the classical section — two for violin, two for viola. She began on the violin with “Passacaglia—Guardian Angel” by Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber.

The second violin piece was the Sonata No.4 in E Minor, op.27 “Kreisler” by Eugène Ysaÿe.

Before beginning the viola pieces, she ran through some quick scales on that instrument, explaining that with the larger instrument the fingering was slightly different. Then she began with “Capriccio for Solo Viola” in C Minor, op. 55 by Henri Vienuxtemps, composed in 1881. Introducing the next piece, Aldridge stated that she had always admired “Julie-O,” which was written for cello by Mark Summer. When she discovered that it had been arranged for viola by Kevin Treiber, she was thrilled to add it to her repertoire. This piece began with pizzicato before transitioning to standard bowing.

All of these pieces demonstrated her virtuosity on both instruments, which we have come to enjoy.

After a short intermission, the concert took a different and interesting direction — an exploration of bluegrass music performed in a classical style and visa-versa. This has been a focus of her work during the sabbatical she took from teaching this past fall semester.

She began the second half of the program with her own “Caprice” arrangement of an original tune by the famous bluegrass players Bill Monroe and fiddler Kenny Baker, “Jerusalem Ridge.” Wow, it was pretty amazing and barely recognizable!

Following that fabulous number, it was on to three of her own compositions. The first fast and furious piece was “Rochelle’s Reel.” I could only imagine the intense and strenuous dancing this music would demand.

Danny Frank, leader of Smoky Gold joined her for “Al’s Waltz.” It was through her long-time friendship with Danny that she ended up playing with that band and how she came to be friends with his father Al, for whom this piece was written. This piece was slower and more melodic than the reel.

Her third composition, “Turning Blue,” a violin solo, required some explanation about a somewhat touchy subject: being trapped in a porta potty at one of the bluegrass festivals Smoky Gold has played in. It too was a fast tune that perfectly conveyed the panic she felt, with her giving it a dramatic flourish at its finish.

The last four pieces of the recital debuted collaborations between Erin and Danny and started off with the classical “Caprice No. 24” by Niccoló Paganini played Smoky Gold style. Band members Frank, Harrison Olk and Joe Scarpellino worked with Aldridge on its arrangement.

Next was “What’s the Use” that Erin revealed began with a dream she had about certain chords. With Danny’s input into both melody and lyrics, it was transformed into this mournful piece about personal loss due to war and the futility of believing power and money can bring happiness.

Aldridge provided a Bach arrangement for Frank’s “Paddle Whisper,” a song he had composed for a friend’s wedding. It was a beautiful, romantic number in which Danny’s wife Angie joined in to sing harmony.

Lastly, they performed “A Price Above Rubies,” with music by Aldridge and Frank and lyrics by Jeanie Thies and Frank. It was a riddle of a song coupled with an intricate melody.

And so this special concert ended to a standing ovation. There was a short reception with Oreo cookies served. Then it was out into the beginnings of last week’s blizzard that involved a blustery trip back over the bridge to Duluth.

But I’ve saved the best report for last: Aldridge used her sabbatical to compose a piece of musical fusion that could only come from someone with a heart that loves two such different musical genres. Her in-progress concerto has the working title of The Smoky Gold Grassical Concerto for Violin, String Band and Symphony Orchestra. Its world premiere will be with the DSSO on May 15 in 2027. Aldridge notes that Danny Frank & the Smoky Gold will also be playing with her at the premiere of the concerto. Now there’s a concert music lovers will not want to miss!

After a night off, the Curmudgeon and I got back over to Superior on Thursday, Feb. 19, to see Erik Koskinen’s third show of his residency at Earth Rider’s taproom, the Cedar Lounge, in Superior. My intent was to simply have fun this evening — no taking notes or photos, just dancing and listening to one of the best bands around.

However, there was a surprise opening act, a wife and husband duo from Memphis, Tennessee: Amy LaVere on standup bass and Will Sexton on electric guitar.

Amy Lavere and Will Sexton

These two performed an elegant, sophisticated set tinged with a subtlely different sound than we are used to — the Memphis vibe was there if one listened closely. If there was any doubt where they are from, the first song, “Not In Memphis” said it all. (They had played in Kansas City, Missouri, the night before!)

LaVere’s vocals were engaging, with strong projection tapering off to convey nuanced emotions. She admitted that all her songs were autobiographical. Fortunately her outlook is not solely about her personal feelings but are philosophical, observational and relatable. Of course there were some heartbreakers among them.

The lyrics of their original songs incorporate some captivating lines such as “When you go dark, I go dark too,” “My heart keeps lying, saying we’ll be fine” and “who are we saving our broken hearts for?”

In one song, “Dreamer,” she rejoices “Hallelujah, I’m a dreamer.” LaVere revealed she listened to the podcast Telepathy Tapes by Ky Dickens and was interested in the paranormal. This was reflected in a tune about her neighbor which she said she had worked with to develop their telepathic abilities. Nice off-beat stuff!

Sexton’s cool guitar licks complemented LaVere’s slapping bass playing nicely. And his occasional harmonies were quite nice. Unfortunately, he sang only one song, “Oh the Night (Night Owls Call.” I would have liked to hear more of him, with his resonant tenor voice.

Before they ended their set, he had the idea they should sing a song closely identified with Memphis — one of Sun Records most famous songs, recorded by Elvis: “Trying To Get To You.” It was a gratifying close to this portion of the evening and everyone I spoke with had high praise for this pair.

Erik Koskinen Band

At 9 pm it was on to a rockin’ time with headliner Erik Koskinen and his musical compatriots Kora Melia from Houghton, Mich. (fiddle), Josh Gravelin (bass) from St. Peter, Minn. and Lafayette Louisiana-based Richard Medek (drums, congas, tom toms).

His set included many of his well-known compositions, some with blatant sexual content. Another was an early composition, “Free Money,” which he said reflected his young self’s fascination with robbing a bank. No elaboration on this performance is needed except to say this band is simply fab and we are blessed with having them perform in the Twin Ports regularly.

It was a Superior week for music, alright, since I made my way back to Cedar Lounge the next evening to hear Alan Sparhawk present his latest works. It included two songs recently released on streaming platforms: “JCMF” and “No More Darkness.” They are his response to the turmoil of our current time, proceeds of which are to be donated to the International Institution of Minnesota. Founded in 1919, this organization’s mission is to support “New Americans” –immigrants – in their journey to stability and success.

From left, Cyrus Sparhawk, Eric Pollard and Alan Sparhawk

Billed as his “Solo Band,” Sparhawk was playing electric guitar with backup by his son Cyrus on bass guitar and Eric Pollard on drums. Pollard grew up in Grand Rapids, Minn., but now lives in Ashland, Oregon.

Their performance swung between mantra-like dirges and admonitions, electronic psychedelia, politically tinged outrage with cussing, as in the “JCMF” number (you’ll need to listen to the streamed tune to understand what the acronym stands for), head-banging punk jamming and a rare other-worldly ballad. This latter song, “Heaven,” was prefaced by Alan informing us that Cedar Lounge was the place he had performed it for the first time.

Early on Alan wished his audience a “stacked weekend” or alternatively relaxed. “Stacked” (presumably meaning activity filled) became the word of the night. But it was “Screaming” that defined the tone of this evening’s performance.

It was obviously a response to the death of his wife Mimi Parker back in November 2022 with the line about him “screaming your name until I ran out of breath.”

Highly emotional keening was heard in many of the compositions and in one where electronic tracks supplemented the live music, the sounds merged to become a cacophony. Then there was a droning, repetitive lyric in another: “gotta be careful…brand new baby.”

At times his lyrics approached being spiritual lessons or even religious sermons — “stay sober” and “gotta put up with different people.” And then there was the oxymoronic: “No More Darkness…turn out the lights and sing along.”

I’m thinking this latest by Sparhawk could be considered avant garde. If so, it certainly isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. As the evening progressed the crowd segregated: true fans crowding up to the front in reverence to their icon while young bar crawlers clustered at the rear of the bar to talk, laugh and schmooze with little attention being paid to the performance.

UPCOMING: This weekend, on Saturday, Feb 28, we will have the opportunity to hear Minnesota songstress Prudence Johnson in performance with pianist Dan Chouinard and violinist Randy Sabien at Sacred Heart Music Center. The concert, “Gershwin!” is a tribute to George Gershwin, one of the great American songwriters of the 20th century. The music starts at 7 pm.

And heads up, I just found out that Jumpsuit, one of the newest favorite area bands, will perform on the Cosmic Lounge Stage at Bent Paddle during “March Mondays” starting at 6 pm. Mark your calendars; you’ll not want to miss seeing them during this residency.