Mom Suzy Thompson ’72 on fiddle, daughter Allegra Thompson ’06 on bass, and dad Eric Thompson on guitar and mandolin brought their unique family blend of old-time, bluegrass, Americana, and folk music to Loomis Chaffee on November 7 and 8.

From Berkeley, California, the Thompson family musicians made a stop on the Island as Guest Musicians during their 11-state tour. Their visit included workshops with students and an evening performance for the school and local community in the Hubbard Performance Hall.

Calling themselves “Thompsonia,” the group’s music originates in Southern roots music, according to Suzy, and has been described as “feel-good music that ricochets between the rowdy and the sentimental.”

On stage, Thompsonia performed several songs from the group’s recent eponymous CD to an appreciative audience of nearly 100 people. On the day after the concert, Suzy, Allegra, and Eric conducted workshops with the Concert Choir, Orchestra, Jazz Band, and Guitar Ensemble. The workshops focused on the rhythms, harmonies, and stylings of American folk music.

As a member of the Class of 1972, Suzy began high school at Chaffee’s campus across the river and moved to the combined Loomis Chaffee campus in her junior year. Admiring Hubbard Hall and its professional acoustics, Suzy remarked that it was “surreal” to be performing music where the old Chaffee Gym once stood. She also enjoyed reconnecting with classmate Kitty Peterson ’72 and other alumni at the evening performance.

“To see the crowd of young people in the audience sort of dancing in their seats and holding their phones up to record the music was a great compliment,” Suzy said.

Working with the music students at Loomis and performing for the school community was an “amazing experience,” said Allegra, who also returned to the Island last spring for her 10th Reunion. She said she hopes to come back again soon.

Suzy and Eric have performed and recorded in collaboration with David Grisman, David Nelson of New Riders, Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin, Geoff Muldaur ’61, Jim Kweskin, Michael Doucet, Del Rey, Dave Alvin, and Joel Savoy, to name a few. The group says Allegra adds a “fresh perspective” that is infused with energy to the mix.

To find out more information about Thompsonia and to listen to music samples, connect to the musicians’ website. Thompsonia’s visit and performance were made possible with support from the Stookins Lecture Fund.