Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

HIT to hold Barton Organ benefit concert

By ZACHARY MARANO

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Ironwood — The Historic Ironwood Theatre will host a concert at 7 p.m. on Saturday featuring local musicians led by multi-instrumentalist Tim Mesun for the theater’s 21st annual Barton Organ Benefit.

Admission is by donation and the proceeds will be used for the maintenance and repair of the theater’s Barton organ — one of only six in its original place of installation in the country.

“I always have a blast performing these benefit concerts, especially when I’m lucky enough to work with so many talented musicians, and with the Barton organ currently in need of repair, it’s more important than ever to keep making sure that it continues in working order,” Mesun said. “The organ has been a vital part of the Ironwood Theatre for 94 years and with continued support and care, we hope to make sure it stays that way for future generations!”

The concert is not an organ recital, according to a media release from the theater, as Mesun will only play one or two selections on the organ. Mesun will instead spend most of the evening playing a variety of music — but mainly rock and blues — on various keyboards, harmonica and keytar with his All-Star Friends Band.

The concert will feature an eclectic mix of songs by “queen of disco” Donna Summer, soul singers Bill Withers and Otis Redding, the progressive rock band Emerson, Lake and Palmer and others. There will also be original compositions by Mesun himself.

Joining Tim on stage will be horn player Paul Butcher, vocalist Desiree Walowinksi, Don Osier on bass guitar, John Grewe on drums and Will Ragone on trombone. Another local musician, Matt Agee, will make a special appearance.

Mesun earned an associate degree from Gogebic Community College and a bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Northern Michigan University. He received the Outstanding Graduating Senior Award for Special Achievement in the music department and wrote original compositions which were performed by the university’s Jazz Band, Jazz Combo and String Quartet.

A professor of jazz history at Florida Southern College, Paul Butcher has performed principal trumpet in touring Broadway shows and worked in Nashville as a recording studio session musician. He has performed with legends such as Ray Charles, Henry Mancini and Stevie Ray Vaughan. He has also played on television shows, including the original “Amateur Hour with Willard Scott,” “The Muppet Special” and “Music City Live.”

“Anybody who has experienced his previous benefit concert knows Tim is a truly gifted and hard-working musician,” HIT Operations Manager Bruce Greenhill said. “His last couple of benefit concerts have been real crowd pleasers, so I encourage everyone to put the date on your calendar — this is one show you don’t want to miss.”

 
 
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