Jazz On The Green Announced, Blues Legend, Math Rock, and Future Islands On Tap For Wednesday Night
This week, besides the daily calendars, we will be diving into some of the festivals and series that were announced late last week and are being announced this week. We will cover Jazz on the Green, Zoo Fest, Nebraska Crossroads Festival and Music at Miller Park. Today we will dive into Jazz on the Green.
HERE are the shows that went on sale Friday
HERE is this weeks album list, playlists and my thoughts on some of those albums
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Jazz on the Green is back at Midtown Crossing/Turner Park this summer. The long-running, free summer series organized by Omaha Performing Arts will take place weekly through July and much of August. Bring your wine, cheese, beer, and chips (no hard liquor), and set up on the grass to enjoy some tunes.
On July 10th, Shaun Johnson & The Big Band Experience will perform. Johnson is a native of Iowa and a member of the a cappella group Tonic Sol-Fa, which has sold millions of albums and earned an Emmy Award. He and his big band blend a variety of styles and can be compared to artists like Michael Bublé and Lake Street Dive. Johnson released his newest EP, Vintage, in March.
Jumaane Smith has served as Michael Bublé’s lead trumpeter, vocalist, and featured soloist, and has appeared on multiple Grammy- and Emmy-winning albums and performances. He has also released three albums, with his latest, Come On Home, coming out in 2024. Additionally, he is a film composer, having worked on films such as Handsome Harry, among others. Jumaane Smith will be the featured artist at Jazz on the Green on July 17th.
Chicago’s Lowdown Brass Band has been making music for quite some time. The band has released multiple albums and has performed at many festivals. They blend soul, funk, hip-hop, reggae, and more into their big brass band sound. Expect to spill a little wine on your blanket as you dance along. They will perform on July 24th.
Josh Hoyer and Soul Colossal were victorious at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis at the start of the year. That’s a big achievement in the blues world and often leads to bigger stages. One of those stages will be Jazz on the Green on July 31st. The soulful blues band, and multiple Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards winners, will perform songs from many of their albums, including Green Light and Natural Born Hustler.
Brooklyn’s Brass Queens, a New Orleans-inspired, all-female brass band, will take the stage on August 7th at Jazz on the Green. They were scheduled to perform last year but had travel issues. Although the Brass Queens have been around for just over five years, they have already performed at the Met Gala, on Good Morning America, at the Blue Note Jazz Club, and at many festivals. The group released their debut album, Black & Gold, in 2023, and Hot Tub Sessions Vol. 1 in 2024. Expect to hear brass band versions of songs by TLC, Bill Withers, Gwen Stefani, Doja Cat, and Ariana Grande at this performance.
On August 14th, Marcos Eduardo Latino Music Explosion will close out the series. Marcos Eduardo and his family have a long lineage of performing music in Omaha. You may know Marcos from the award-winning Mariachi Luna y Sol, Sabor, or One Como Va — a Santana tribute. Enjoy the sounds and rhythms of cumbia, bachata, norteño, and other popular Latin American music performed by some of South Omaha’s finest musicians.
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Wednesday Night
Blues rocker and guitar slinger Kenny Wayne Shepherd is hosting an “Evening With” tonight at The Astro. He will be joined by 91-year-old blues legend Bobby Rush for the show—wild! The two recently released an album together called Young Fashioned Ways. Rush is a 12-time Blues Music Award winner and finally earned a Grammy Award at age 83. You may know his 1971 certified gold single, “Chicken Heads.” If not, you should put that on right now.
Future Islands return to Omaha for a show at The Admiral on May 7th. The band played a few shows at The Waiting Room over the past decade, but we haven’t seen them here in a while. They are touring in support of their latest album, People Who Aren’t There Anymore. Get your gorilla yowl ready!
Colorado indie rock band No Fauna will be at The Sydney this evening. No Fauna has a mathy emo rock sound and has been releasing EPs named after the seasons. Their latest, Winter, was just released in March. They will be joined by Ivory Claws and Box Eats Miah.
Wednesday Night Calendar Wednesday May 7th
Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Bobby Rush at The Astro Theater 8PM (La Vista)
Future Islands and Open Mike Eagle at The Admiral 8PM (Omaha)
No Fauna, Ivory Claws and Box Eats Miah at The Sydney 8PM (Omaha)
Chad Stoner at North Omaha Music and Arts 7PM (Omaha)
Wednesday Whiskey Jam at The Nifty 8PM (Omaha)
Kevin Lloyd at Mr. Toads 7PM (Omaha)
Live Jazz with Red Lion Quartet at Red Lion Lounge 7:30PM (Omaha)
Open Mic at Razorwire Productions 6:30PM (Omaha) FREE
Open Mic at Down Under Lounge 8PM (Omaha) FREE
Open Mic at The Tavern 9PM (Omaha) FREE
Open Mic at Dubliner Pub (Omaha) FREE
Georgie and Friends at Down Under Lounge 5PM (Omaha)
Jam Session at Vino Mas 6PM (Omaha)
The Musicians Collective Open Jam at B-Side Bar 7PM (Council Bluffs)