Jaedyn James at Glensheen. (Photos by Jill Fisher)

It’s not every week that one discovers or finally covers not one but two new acts, and these at venues regularly frequented. On Wednesday, August 14, a near perfect summer evening, the Minneapolis-based Jaedyn James and her band performed at Glensheen. They weren’t out on the pier due to a brisk wind off Lake Superior, rather they were up on the mansion’s rear terrace high above the formal gardens where a large crowd was gathered, their backs to the Lake. 

Now Jaedyn James is not actually a new act, just new to me. She’s been in Duluth before (perhaps more than once) per the March 2017 review in the Reader of Jaedyn and her band Hunger in a gig at the now defunct Rex bar. According to that article, the band was formed three years prior, in 2014.

Just when I was inwardly bemoaning the now usual attire of jeans and T-shirts for band members, I arrived at Glensheen to see four dudes decked out in black suits, white shirts and ties. (Well two of the four, the other two wore black.) There’s just something about a band that goes for a uniform look (it brings to mind The Temptations, James Brown’s band, early Beatles and others from back in the day). 

In any case, they provided a fitting backdrop and backup for the amazing and provocative Jaedyn James. For her part, she was swathed in a full-length, neon pink, form-fitting gown that provided visual punctuation to her sassy show. Heavily made up with eyelashes you could see at 80 paces and sweep the floor with, she demanded one’s full attention. 

Although they were ready to begin the show 10 minutes early, an electrical outage caused a 15-minute delay. But no worries, Jaedyn launched into her first number by 6:35, the 1978 hit by Gloria Gaynor “I Will Survive.” (A fitting song given her account of her own early domestic abuse.)

Jaedyn James

Jaedyn, as lead vocalist, performed original compositions off her 2023 album, Loving You So Hard. These included “Bring You Joy,” “Good To You” and “Write You A Letter.” Interspersed were occasional covers, such as the Linda Ronstadt hit “You’re No Good.” She belts these out with the lung power you might expect from her sizable and “body positive” persona. And then there was her commentary between numbers that ventured into political territory and which extolled our region with “the Midwest is Best.”

She struck me as being in the same league with Davina and the Vagabonds although she doesn’t play an instrument, as does Davina. 

Beyond their appearance, the musicians backing her were polished and professional. They included Alex Browne (trumpet), Seth Duin (electric guitar), Patrick Nelson (bass guitar) and Erik Schee (drums). 

According to my research, Jaedyn’s earlier bands included more musicians and more brass, but from what I heard on this evening, these four were sufficient to produce a full-bodied sound even in this outdoor venue.

Opening for Jaedyn, was Duluth’s own Janie & the Spokes (though Janie and Pete Aas are living in Carlton). It was a short set given that Glensheen began scheduling two acts for each Concert on the Pier this season. The band continues to be a favorite, playing regularly in our region. 

Janie & the Spokes

On this evening Joe Anderson joined them playing his saxophone, which was a cool addition to their regularly performed songs – many of them off their latest album, Eclipse. They also added a teaser from their next album, “What’s the Matter,” which they will begin recording this fall. 

This same Wednesday evening I managed to get over to Pier B to hear the second set by The Reckoning on the Courtside Concert stage. For some reason, I was sure I hadn’t heard them before, but I lied. Not only had I seen them previously, but I actually included a short review of this band in the October 5, 2023, issue of the Reader. 

All I can say in defense of my poor memory is that after a year and a half, they must have expanded their repertoire and become a tighter band. They started their second set with the cross-gendered song “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” (a Shania Twain hit). 

Wow, that’s something for a four-man band to cover! Several other numbers included “You Shook Me All Night Long,” “Uptown Funk,”  “We’re Not Going To Take It” and “Jump.”

The Reckoning

By way of refresher, The Reckoning is comprised of Shawn Bourgeault (electric guitar), his son Ryan (electric guitar), Mike Thorene (bass) and Garrett Ness (drums). 

As I noted the first time I saw them at the Powerhouse, they are hard-driving rockers who inspire lots of folks to get up and dance. So it was this evening. If you want to dance the night away to this groovin’ group, put Saturday, Sept. 7, on your calendar and get down to the Reef Bar for its outdoor end-of-summer concert which begins at 7 pm and goes to 11. 

There are plenty of other end-of-summer gigs to take note of as well: Rootz Within (billed as “an easy-going island style that combines elements of rock, funk and jamband-like improvisation with a smooth reggae foundation”) will perform at Earth Rider on Friday, Aug. 23, with opener Irie Sol. 

If you are into jazz, it sounds like there may still be tickets available for Cookin’ at the O (Oldenburg House in Carlton) for the dinner concert by Jennifer Grimm and Joe Cruz on Saturday, Aug. 24.

As we approach the Labor Day weekend the last of our free outdoor music events includes Glensheen’s Concert on the Pier on Wednesday, Aug. 28, with Bad Bad Hats and Yonder, and John Ellision & the Carpenter Ants at City Park in Silver Bay on Friday, Aug. 30. 

Although not free, the last DSSO Bridge Session at the Depot Theater with Shaunna Heckman is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 29

And don’t forget the Duluth Superior Pride Festival! Music-related activities include a Youth Dance at Life House on Friday evening, Aug. 30, and the all-day party at Bayfront Park on Saturday, Aug. 31, with music by Baharat, Mara Lovejoy, Venus DeMars, Roadside Casino and the Sky Spiders and the Imperceptible Web. For more information see duluthsuperiorpride.com/events.

My recommendation is to get out there and enjoy more music as the end of our summer approaches.