BluesEd: A Youth Artist Development Program based in Omaha, Nebraska
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Senior Spotlight with Neil Osborn

7/31/2016

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Name:  Neil Osborn

School:  Graduate of Skutt High School

Band:  Dilemma

Instrument: Bass Guitar, Keyboard, Electric Guitar

College & Major:  Iowa State University for Aerospace Engineering

How long in BluesEd:  This is my first year in BluesEd.

How many years have you been playing:  I've been playing piano since I was 7 years old. Guitar since I was 13. I actually picked up bass most recently but with my previous music knowledge I was able to learn quickly.

What is your favorite BluesEd workshop song:  My favorite BluesEd workshop song has been Ain't No Sunshine. Its pretty straightforward on bass but taught me a lot about how to phrase my bass lines in a blues and jazz context. It has also come to mean a lot to each member of Dilemma and is now the song that I associate Anna with the most.

Favorite BluesEd moment:  My favorite moment from BluesEd was after our OEAA concert which several other BluesEd bands participated in. The members of Dilemma that could stay out that night all watched the other artists perform. My favorite had to be Edem Soul Music. Her voice is truly amazing and she is a great Djembe player as well. Being able to perform with these other local acts was such a great opportunity that I am very thankful for.

Who is your favorite Blues artist?  I'm not going to lie... I don't really listen to a lot of blues! I'm more of a jazz kind of (blue?) guy. Every modern genre certainly has blues elements though and one band that has caught my attention these last few years has been the Alabama Shakes. I was able to see them live when they came to the Stir Cove and I was blown away! They manage to fuse blues and indie rock in a much more passionate way than others.

Hobbies outside of BluesEd:  Music dominates my free time, whether it is writing, producing, or listening to new releases or live performances. Some of my favorite artists include Radiohead, Animal Collective, and BadBadNotGood. I probably practice on piano more than my other instruments, but I am always writing new music. I just released an ambient album on bandcamp that I've been working on for a while so if you're into that kind of thing you can check it out at  
https://neilosborn.bandcamp.com/releases 

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Senior Sunday with Sheridan Macy

7/17/2016

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Name:  Sheridan Macy

School:  Millard West

Band:  Us & Them 

Instrument: Vocal, but also play bass 

College & Major:  UNL - Double Major in History and Global Studies with a minor in Spanish, and most likely Political Science and a second non-Western language (like Hindi or Arabic)

How long in BluesEd:  1 year

How many years have you been playing:  Singing for as long as I can remember

What is your favorite BluesEd workshop song:  Black Horse and the Cherry Tree or Woman Across the River

Who is your favorite Blues artist:  Stevie Ray Vaughn and/or Tracy Chapman
Favorite BluesEd moment:  Definitely playing at Jazz on the Green. I loved that set and it was a lot of fun to perform in front of that many people.

Hobbies outside of BluesEd:  I like to draw and read.  I'm really into languages so I've been trying to teach myself Italian for a while.  I also listen to a lot of music and I play ukulele. 

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Anna Jane Abbott Benefit Concert

7/17/2016

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#MusicHeals
Music brought us all together and now we turn to music to heal us.

On July 2nd, our dear Anna Jane Abbott, an 18 year old vocalist for our BluesEd band, Dilemma, passed away after an asthma attack led to cardiac arrest.  Our hearts are completely broken.  We want to honor Anna & help her family the best way we know how and that is through music.  


Please join us for a very special concert on Sunday, July 24th for the Anna Abbott Benefit Concert at The 21st Saloon on 96th & L Street in Omaha.   Music starts at 1:30. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend. Ten amazing bands performing including Anna's vocal coach, Susie Thorne with two of our BluesEd Clinicians, Ron Cooley and Carlos Figueroa.  $5 cover and all proceeds from this event go to Anna's family to help with their final expenses. Hawks BBQ is catering and all net
profits will go towards the family. The 21st Saloon is donating all net proceeds from bar sales to the family as well. We have some very special T-shirts, bracelets, temporary tattoos and stickers all for sale with all proceeds going to the family.  

We have three goals for this event:
1) Celebrate Anna's life!
 
2) Raise awareness of the risks and dangers of asthma.  To that end we have Dr. Linda Ford, national expert on asthma, speaking to our audience.
3) Make a significant financial contribution to the family through the proceeds of the concert to help them pay for their overwhelming medical and funeral expenses. 

Line up for this event:
1:30 - The Redwoods
2:15 - Grace & Logan
3:00 - Far&Wide Blues
3:45 - The Beryllium Takeover
4:25 - Susie Thorne, Ron Cooley & Carlos Figueroa
4:55 - Dr. Linda Ford, National Asthma expert
5:05 - BluesEd Alumni band with Ben Curran, Camie Hemphill, Dain Armbrust &Kevin Fries
5:45 - Luke Heffron band
6:30 - Voodoo Vinyl
7:15 - Middle Folk
8:00 - Dilemma - Anna's band

Dr. Linda Ford, National Asthma expert, will be speaking at 4:55. Don't miss this very important education on the risks & dangers of asthma.

Please click on this link to learn more about our sweet, talented and beautiful Anna: Anna Jane Abbott

If you are unable to make the concert but would still like to contribute to the family, please click here:  Helping Anna's family Heal. 
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Senior Sunday

7/17/2016

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Senior Spotlight
Name:  Michael Solberg
School:  Lincoln Southwest
Band:  Us & Them
Instrument: Guitar
College & Major:  Music
How long in BluesEd:  3 years
How many years have you been playing:  9 years
What is your favorite BluesEd workshop song:  Woman Across the River
Favorite BluesEd moment:  Playing with Fire
Hobbies outside of BluesEd: Basketball

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BluesEd Benefit Concert and Fundraiser

7/9/2016

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​This year our annual BluesEd Benefit Concert and fund​raiser will be this Sunday, July 10th, at Alley V near Oak View Mall. We have plenty of room at Alley V for everyone to come out and see all six BluesEd bands, play games and go bowling.  In addition, we will have many silent auction items and raffles. All donations at the door receive an Alley V play or bowl card for free. A portion of all food & drink sales at Alley V will go back to BluesEd so please plan on eating your meal at Alley V too. 



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  • Home
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  • Events
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    • Blue Sunday
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    • Us and Them
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  • Auditions
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  • Sponsors
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  • Alumni
  • 2023 KickOff
  • Anna Jane Abbott Memorial Scholarship
  • Donate
  • Latest News & Videos