Ron E. Beck Soul Jazz Revue to Close Out Omaha Performing Arts' 2013 Jazz on the Green Series, 8/15

Omaha Performing Arts announces the powerhouse group Ron E. Beck Soul Jazz Revue is the final performance of the 2013 Jazz on the Green at Midtown Crossing series. The August 15, 2013 concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. on the new permanent stage of The Pavilion at Turner Park; the lawn opens at 5 p.m. As with all Jazz on the Green concerts, the performance is free to the public.

It's truly a hometown concert on August 15, with Ron E. Beck returning to the city where he was born and raised. Beck will be backed up by a group of all Omaha musicians, as well: Mitch Towne, keyboards; Jorge Nila, saxophone; Craig Balderston, bass; Luke Polipnick, guitar; Brad Cordle, vocals; and Curly Martin, drums.

Beck left Omaha when he was 18 years old, heading to the West Coast with his twin brother, Donnie. He toured and played with the urban soul group Tower of Power from 1975 to 1978. He has also performed and recorded with a number of musicians, including Bell & James, Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr. and John Lee Hooker. Since the 1970s, Beck has been considered an established contributor to the Northern California music scene.

Known primarily as a funky drummer, Beck is also an accomplished singer whose vocal style has been praised by Tom Bell, Carlos Santana, Steve Cropper and Wallace "Scotty" Scott of The Whispers. The Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy said of Beck: "It is something special when Beck sings from behind the drums. You can feel his passion." The San Jose Jazz Festival organizers echoed the sentiment saying "When Ron E.B. brings people to their feet screaming, it is unmistakably clear that it was them more than anyone else who called him to sing."