AfterBurn Jam with Playing with Fire artists

Voodoo Vinyl performing on the main stage at Playing with Fire on June 18, 2015.

Ever since Playing with Fire started it's free concert series in Omaha 12 years ago, BluesEd bands have been asked to perform as opening acts for the headliners.  We have been blessed beyond measure with this partnership.  Our students have a chance to perform on the big stage in front of large appreciative Blues-loving fans with a professional sound & light system.

This year we were lucky enough to have three BluesEd bands at PwF:
Voodoo Vinyl on June 18th
Dilemma on June 25th
Us & Them on July 2nd

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This year, Playing with Fire also asked BluesEd bands to host an AfterBurn Jam following the headliner at a local bar/restaurant.   BluesEd enlisted the help of Ben Curran, BluesEd alumni (Mojo Bag) and jam expert extraordinaire to assist our bands in prepping for the jam and leading the jams.   

The first week the PwF artists had an early morning flight so we still held the jam.  We were lucky enough to have some BluesEd alumni sit in on several songs with Voodoo Vinyl.  Watching the growth of our BluesEd alums, now in their 20's, was extremely impressive.  It's so great to see so many of our BluesEd students continue to pursue music as a hobby or even a career.  Even BluesEd parent, John Palensky, got in the act and played guitar and sat in on a few songs.  

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For the night of June 25th, we had a great crowd on hand for the BluesEd band, Dilemma.  They wowed the crowds with their hard-driving rock and blues.  A few ballads were thrown in for good measure.  A crowd favorite, Into the Mystic, saw many of the dancers in the audience move forward to the front of the stage.  

Headliners for the evening were The Paul DesLauriers band with special guest Anwar Khurshid on Sitar.   It's not often we see a Sitar player in Omaha.  Let alone an award-winning one (Wrote the music for the movie "Life of Pi.") Also appearing were Angel Forrest and Denis Coulombe all from Canada.  

Dilemma performs at Playing with Fire on June 25, 2015

Anwar Khurshid unloading his Sitar at the AfterBurn Jam with Dilemma. #SitarFusion

Paul DesLauriers Band and Anwar Khurshid on Sitar playing with Logan Hawkins from Dilemma jamming.

Our final night at the Playing with Fire concert was July 2nd.  We had a dicey start to the show due to some bad weather in the area but Mother Nature shined on us and gave us a beautiful evening for a show.  BluesEd band Us & Them Blues band opened the show and set the tone right for the evening with high energy blues and rock.  Following Us & Them was the Boogie Boys Band from Poland & PwF favorite, Albert Cummings.   After the sizzling show the crowd made it's way to the AfterBurn Jam to keep the fire burning.  Many Polish fans wanted to see & hear the Boogie Boys one more time before they left Nebraska.  Those in attendance were treated to a phenomenal show with the Boogie Boys and Us & Them jamming the night away.  Several local musicians joined the jam too.  Truly a very special night, as was each of the AfterBurn Jams hosted by BluesEd.  Thanks again to Playing with FIre Promoter, Jeff Davis and his Associate Producer Vanessa Marie for always believing in BluesEd.  Can't wait to do it all again next year!!