Mesun, Butcher to play benefit concert for HOPE shelter

IRONWOOD — Tim Mesun and Paul Butcher will perform a benefit concert together Saturday at 7 p.m. at Theatre North in Ironwood.

The concert will benefit the HOPE Animal Shelter. The duo will perform jazz, pop and blues songs and original compositions by both musicians.

Mesun has studied jazz piano with Butcher in the summers since 2006. The pair will perform together for the third summer in a row.

This is the 13th concert performed to benefit local charities by Mesun, who will attend Gogebic Community College this fall. He has also performed music for a number of Theatre North productions.

Butcher is a professor of jazz studies and music business at Florida Southern College. He has performed in jazz, reggae and rhythm and blues bands.

He has played with touring Broadway shows and has been a featured soloist on baroque piccolo trumpet.

According to a news release, Butcher was a producer and writer in Nashville, Tenn., and has performed with Ray Charles’ band.

Butcher also worked on television programs starring Willard Scott and the Muppets.

All proceeds will go to the shelter. Mesun, Butcher and the theater are all donating their time, talents and the use of the facility for the concert.

Mesun’s past concerts have benefitted area food pantries.