Five Questions with Rachel Tomlinson Dick

Omaha has no shortage of artists who are women. There are plenty of places to play/show, and many supporters to bolster a young artist’s hopes and dreams. Rachel Tomlinson Dick is one young woman who is striving, and succeeding at getting her voice heard. I first became aware of Tomlinson Dick years ago, while booking a series of […]

Five Questions with Doreen Ketchens

You have most likely seen her viral videos. Doreen Ketchens, the wonderful, inspiring clarinetist playing in New Orleans’ French Quarter with her group. Like you, I was transfixed as I heard her style, her power, her heart. I felt compelled to find her, to compliment her, to find out how she does what she does, […]

Five Questions with Johnny Voruz

Geek: a slang term used to describe eccentric or non-mainstream people; in current use, the word typically connotes an expert or enthusiast, or a person obsessed with a hobby or intellectual pursuit. Although often considered as a pejorative, the term is also used self-referentially without malice or as a source of pride. Its meaning has evolved to connote “someone who […]

Five Questions with Paul Haar

You’ve heard the saying “Those who can, do, those who can’t, teach”. That doesn’t seem to be the case when it comes to saxophonist Paul Haar. He can, he does, and he teaches it. I was at a wedding at Joslyn a few years back, and there was a jazz quartet playing. I recognized players […]

Five Questions with Mark Sullivan

During the late 80’s my husband and I were sitting-in at Kilgore’s most weeks, trying to learn how to play jazz. The legendary Omaha sandwich shop was owned by trumpeter/lawyer Chuck Kilgore. He hosted a jam session on Tuesday nights at the little storefront, located where the Shelterbelt Theater is today at 33rd & California. I met a […]

Five Questions with Nicholas Payton

With Nicholas Payton, things are black and white. Read his blog. He is in your face, and, it seems, that’s right where he wants to be. The New Orleans born, GRAMMY® – winning trumpeter/composer/pianist/ loves to start, and end, a rukus. For instance, just play any of the videos on his site. Just when he has a […]

Five Questions with Jordan Elsberry

Johnny Depp played The Libertine. Jordan Elsberry IS The Libertine. Yeah, pretty much. (See that movie!) You know of Jordan if you live in Omaha. You’ve seen him if you’ve been to House of Loom, or Side Door, or J Coco, or the Old Market. The thing you may not know about the man-bun wearing […]

Five Questions plus one with Dereck Higgins *updated

This past Sunday night I played a gig with Dereck Higgins. It was a groovy thing. His happy countenance lit the whole scene. As a bass player, he is more of a rocker than a blues/jazz man. This is surprising to some who know that he comes from deep jazz roots. His late father, Red […]

Five Questions with Buck Bowen

Buck Bowen is an enigma. I hate to say that because I THINK that he loves to THINK that people THINK he is a puzzle. But, I don’t know. And I know him. I’ve known him for 11+ years. I know it’s been that long, because I met him around the time we moved into […]

Five Questions with Denver Dalley *updated

Denver Dalley is one of our own who has actually ‘made it.’ Having collaborated with the great Conor Oberst back in the day with the band Desaparecidos, (DD wrote the music, Oberst, lyrics) which released one album on Saddle Creek before breaking up in 2003, Dalley has successfully moved to other projects; Statistics, an electronic-tinged […]