Midwest Smooth Jazz presents: Brian Gonzaba and Backer's Blues
Midwest Smooth Jazz is proud to present this Thursday, July 7th at 6:30pm, Brian Gonzaba and Backer's Blues at the Ozone, in Omaha, for another Smooth Jazz Thursday.  The Backers Blues (Omaha's 2nd Favorite Blues Band) are a group of High School students and graduates from the Omaha and Council Bluffs area. They have been together for three years and are a product of the Omaha Blues Society Blues Ed program. They have performed at Murphy's, The Lift, Lincoln Summer Arts Festival (The Zoo Bar), PS Collective, Omaha Summer Arts Festival, Anchor Inn, Millard Days, numerous private engagements, and the Playing with Fire Concerts. They were nominated for the Omaha Music Awards in 2010. Brian D. Gonzaba, Lead Vocals, is a senior at Millard South High School. He is a member of the Millard South Debate Team and placed Sixth overall at Nationals in Washington DC, and of the Millard South Marching Band. Brian started playing piano at the age of six, first performed at a wedding at the age of eight and many school talent shows. Brian also plays piano, keys, guitar, and harmonica. Katie Kangas, Keys, is a graduate of Millard North High School. A member of Millard North DECA and placed first in Apparel and Accessories Marketing Series, selected Leadership Team member for the 2010-2011 Millard North High School Mustang Marching Band and Pit Percussion leader, a Spirit Scholar and member of National Honor Society. Drew Nelson, Drums, is a student at West Side High School. Drew is a member of the All-State Jazz Band. Matt Thiem, Guitar, a student at Millard North High School. Member of Millard North Jazz Band and named to the All-State Jazz Band, performed at the UNO Jazz Festival and his team received a Superior rating and he was one of the Outstanding Soloists. Blake Deforest, Guitar and Trumpet, a graduate of Louis Central High School in Council Bluffs and was the first LC student to make the Metro Area Youth Jazz Orchestra (MAYJO). At LCHS, Blake participates in Concert Band, Marching Band, all Jazz Ensemble offerings, Chamber Choir, Lewis Corporation, Drama Fall Play, All-School Spring Musical, Lewis Company Show Choir Band, the Omaha Blues Society on guitar, and maintains a 3.24 GPA. Blake has also won many awards as a soloist at several jazz competitions, including outstanding soloist for the day on trumpet at Bellevue East and SWIBA Jazz Contests. He is a member of the 2011 4A All-State Jazz Band for Trumpet. His goal, he said, is simple and straightforward: "I would like to make music." Tate Hundahl, Base, attended Blair High School and is from Tekamah NE. He is a member of the All-State Jazz Band. We welcome Tate to our team as our newest member. He joins us with much excitement and talent |
Before June 8th - $30 per ticket
