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MSO concertmaster Jennifer Fagre-Goly with violinists at Marshall School. Photos by Jill Fisher.

A concert by the Mesabi Symphony Orchestra collaborating with our funky Twin Ports band Jumpsuit was a hit!

It happened on Saturday, June 6, at the Marshall School auditorium and, man, it was something to experience.

I was recalling past Bridge Sessions that paired local rock bands with string quartets made up of members of the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra when I decided I had to attend this event. While there were similarities between the two concepts, Saturday’s concert took such collaboration to an entirely different, more elevated level.

I had some trepidation that the MSO might overpower or otherwise diminish the gutsy, funky sound Jumpsuit is known for, but that proved not to be the case.

Indeed, the vocals and instrumental parts by Jumpsuit came through loud and clear while the 32-member symphony orchestra came off like a highly professional studio band. (Think of several Beatles tracks with orchestral backing—“Yesterday,” “Day in the Life,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”)

The complex and exacting work this collaboration entailed was detailed in Kristi Olson’s interview with Jennifer Fagre-Goly, the MSO Concertmaster and arranger of the 11 tunes, in the May 26, 2026, issue of her On The Record Music and Arts Mag.

As I read the interview I was flabbergasted by the demanding work involved in developing 11 scores for 17 different instruments. As Fagre-Goly was quoted in that article, “My goal is always to preserve the identity of the original track while expanding its emotional and sonic scale…while still centering the band.” I believe everyone at that concert would agree she met that goal and then some.

The “Funk-forward fundraiser” for the MSO on this lovely June evening began with “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder. The following tunes: “What You Won’t Do For Love,” “I Shot the Sheriff,” “Day Dreaming” and “Danger” all showcased the full-throated, emotive vocalizations by Jumpsuit’s two lead singers. It was clear that each number was duly enhanced by the musicians of the MSO.

The second set gave us more of what was promised and delivered in the first, beginning with a Jumpsuit original, “Cherry Picking.” The Gnarls Barkley tune, “Crazy” was covered with the version recorded by the band Scary Pockets. Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason” was a standout with great harmonies. Another Jumpsuit original, “Orange Wine,” came next followed By “In Your Eyes” by the band BADBADNOTGOOD. The BeeGees’ “Stayin’ Alive” (another Scary Pockets version) finished out this fantastic concert.

Jumpsuit with the MSO.

Those who have followed Jumpsuit since its inception have surely noticed its rapid evolution.
Jumpsuit began as a purely instrumental group of four guys — Marshall Dillon, Manny Eisle, Calvin Lund and Ian Hopp. Back in late 2021, as the Covid pandemic was winding down, they began performing/practicing regularly at the now defunct the Ripple Bar (adjoining the Hoops Brewery space in the Marshall Wells Building in Canal Park).

At some point after that, the Curmudgeon and I saw them at Earth Rider’s Tap Room, the Cedar Lounge. It was a memorable set in which they improvised a new tune. But it was April of 2024 before the name stuck and June of that year when female vocalist Erica “Ricky” Francois officially became a full member.

Shortly thereafter keyboardist and backup vocalist Courtney Ellian joined the group and by October 2024 Jumpsuit achieved its current composition with the addition of Madison “Madi” Phyle, a second lead vocalist.

This super gig has to be Jumpsuit’s most memorable and dynamic performance to date.

And, while at least two musicians in attendance suggested to me that the orchestra could have been louder, the overall effect was a wonderfully fulsome sound that thrilled everyone — the audience, MSO and Jumpsuit members alike.

Artistic Director and Conductor of the MSO Benjamin Nilles appeared to be in full command of both groups and enjoying the experience himself.

At the conclusion of the concert Nilles announced that the MSO will be extending its performances beyond the Range to bring its music to Duluth in the future.

As for Jumpsuit, you can see them back in action on Monday evenings in July at Bent Paddle.

Allow me to backtrack a bit: The Reader’s June 4 Summer Guide issue offered me a respite from writing my weekly review of music for some needed R & R. I took the opportunity for a short trip to the northern parts of Arizona — Flagstaff, Sedona, Jerome and Prescott — places I’ve enjoyed visiting regularly for more than 30 years.

Of course I had to seek out live music while there.

Flagstaff during the week was pretty dismal. I found only one venue with a DJ spinning punk. However, Friday night, May 29, Whiskey Row (actually Montezuma Street in downtown Prescott), provided more than enough musical options, as there were some10 different music gigs happening. I was only able to take in three of them.

A Dead Head band playing at The Bird Cage was one of the three, which I didn’t like and didn’t stick around for more than a couple, very long, jams.

Another was the more fun and rowdy country western band Billie Joe Bell playing from the balcony in Matt’s Saloon. This venue is where line dancing is taught and performed on Wednesdays. On this evening, the place was filled with line dancers stepping to recorded music between sets.

But by far the best of the three bands, in my book, was a blues and rock band, “R.O.S.” which stands for Road One South. They had the low-down, bluesy and rockin’ sound I love best, covering songs like “Chain of Fools” and “Messin’ With the Kid.”

When they launched into Dylan’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” I knew I had found my musical fix. Funny enough, the band’s lead singer is Freddie M. Freeman, a Minneapolis native!

Although R.O.S. played mostly covers, including one not often heard, “Wooly Bully” by Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs, I got to hear at least one original by Freeman: “Hey Now.”

It’s doubtful this band will make it up to the Northland, but it sure would be great to hear them again.
One other discovery I made on my way back home (since I flew in and out of Phoenix) was the Musical Instrument Museum in that city.

Wow, what great display of instruments, both old and new, from all over the world, complemented by videos of top performers using them.

The ukelele exhibit had a video of Jake Shimabukuro, who recently played the West Theatre.

After spending an afternoon there, I realized I had seen only half of what the museum had to offer. Thank you Mark Nicklawske (music impresario for Sacred Heart Music Center) for tipping me off to this attraction! I will definitely want to get back there someday to see what I missed.

Back in Duluth I attempted to broaden my musical preferences by attending the Metropolitan Opera’s Simulcast of Frida and Diego at Marcus Theaters on Wed. June 3.

I’ve been a fan of Frida Kahlo’s art since first exposed to it during my earliest trips to Arizona. Although the surrealistic stagecraft was colorful and enthralling with direct references to Kahlo’s paintings, I wasn’t won over by the music.

Leaving the theater there wasn’t one bit of melody that lingered in my mind. Even the Curmudgeon (who is a big opera fan) admitted that modern operas don’t seem to generate memorable arias as have the classics.

Several other outings in the days that followed included the third annual picnic party hosted by the Blake Shippee family on Thursday, June 4.

Blake is the frontman for the band Boxcar. As in years past, the party doubled as a fund-raising event, this time for saving the Boundary Waters from mining and other encroachments.

Saltydog was the first of three acts with Jacob Mahon in fine form using his crazy falsetto. A new tune of theirs was “Lady Bug.”

Likewise, Brother Owen sang lead on several numbers, keeping the funky groove going. I even got to hear them perform “Jillybones” which is really quite the honor. An additional treat was Boss Mama joining the doggies for a couple of numbers.

Performing that evening between sets was Laughing Fox telling stories from his Native American culture.

The third act was Dead Man Winter, featuring David Simonette and Tim Saxhaug from Trampled By Turtles and the ever-popular Erik Koskinen.

On Friday, June 5, the C and I got over to Ursa Minor Brewing to hear one set by the Squid City Slingers. Besides their original numbers, they performed a fun cover of “These Boots Are Made For Walking.”
The bluegrass, country and folk trio (Riki Olson, Sydney “Squid” Wojszysnki, and Chris Cuellar) expanded to include Sydney’s younger sister Gabby playing mandolin.

SCS is performing gigs around the Twin Ports pretty regularly now; catch them playing at Glensheen’s Concerts on the Pier on Wed., Aug. 26.

UPCOMING: Here’s the music I will be checking out this weekend: the 5th Annual Festival Rialto in Grand Rapids. The flyer lists 13 acts including the Mike Munson Trio, Good Morning Bedlam, Between Howls, Sugar On the Roof and headliner Wild Horses. Doors open at noon and music begins at 1 pm. Get all the details on the Festival Rialto page of Facebook.