Ron E. Beck Soul Jazz Revue Closes Omaha Performing Arts' 2013 Jazz on the Green Series Tonight
By: BWW News Desk Aug. 15, 2013
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. Tonight's 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."
Beck wrote or co-wrote most of the songs on his third album, Baby Boomer, which was released in 2008 and features him on drums and vocals. Going old school, he decided to record it with live analog tracking.
In addition to his career as a recording and touring artist, Beck founded the Ron E. Beck Drum Institute, a mentoring program, in California.
For more information about Jazz on the Green at Midtown Crossing, go online to www.JazzOnTheGreenOmaha.com, become a fan on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Omaha Performing Arts is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to enriching the lives of the citizens of Omaha and surrounding communities. In its two venues: the Orpheum Theater and Holland Performing Arts Center, the organization presents the best of Broadway, jazz, blues, dance, comedy, family and popular entertainment. Omaha Performing Arts also offers a range of educational programs and free community events that support, enhance and expand appreciation for the arts. In addition, the organization provides comprehensive ticketing services through Ticket Omaha, the official ticket retailer for the Orpheum and Holland.
Omaha Performing Arts' performances are supported in part by the Nebraska Arts Council, Nebraska Cultural Endowment, the Mid-America Arts Alliance, National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Omaha and the Douglas County Visitor Improvement Fund, as well as corporate sponsors, private donors and foundations. For more information, visit OmahaPerformingArts.org.
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