OMAHA PERFORMING ARTS

Tonight’s Jazz on the Green concert is a special one! In honor of Blue Society of Omaha’s 20^th Anniversary, we are teaming up to present one of the great voices of blues music – Shaun Murphy – who also happens to be an Omaha native!

Since 1998, the Blues Society of Omaha has been promoting blues music in greater Omaha and Lincoln. The organization is a longtime community partner of ours, and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate their milestone than with music from a local legend.

Here are three fun facts about tonight’s headliner, Shaun Murphy Band, so you can get to know her better before the concert. Don’t forget – the park opens at 5 pm. Arrive early for preshow jams from Blue Society of Omaha’s BluesEd band Blue Sunday at 6:30. Shaun Murphy takes the stage at 7:30 PM.

1. Made her debut at the first Ann Arbor Blues Festival

   In 1969, several thousand blues lovers gathered in a small field in Ann Arber, Michigan, for a music festival.  The lineup included BB King, Muddy Waters, Lightnin’ Hopkin, Otis Rush, Freddy King – and also Shaun Murphy. Talk about a big break! The festival solidified many of those artists into the Detroit music scene and went on to become one of the largest blues and jazz festivals in the world.

2. She signed with Motown Records in 1971

   After performing in the Ann Arbor Blues Festival, Shaun decided to puruse her love of theater. She was soon noticed by an employee at Motown records while she was touring with the musical HAIR. She was recruited along with Meat Loaf to create a duo album, “Stoney and Meatloaf”



3. She’s a 3-time Grammy nominee

Shaun has worked with some of the best such as Eric Clapton and Bruce Hornsby. For years, she toured as a member of Little Feat. Along the way, she’s be recognized for her successes including with three Grammy nominations and Bluesblast Music Awards for Best Contemporary Blues Album and Female Blues Artist of the Year in 2013.

You can learn more about the Shaun Murphy Band and our upcoming Jazz on the Green performers on the website!