Omaha Art Fair Music

Meet the Bands

BLUES BEATLES

SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL
Blues Beatles was born during rehearsal breaks for another band, when singer Marcos Viana would casually play Beatles songs on his acoustic guitar. The rest of the group began adding their own spin, blending blues and soul into the familiar melodies. Realizing the magic, they officially formed Blues Beatles in 2013. Their breakout take on Ticket to Ride quickly gained online attention, with over 2 million views on Facebook. They’ve continued reimagining Beatles classics with groove-driven arrangements, improvisation, and dynamic solos. Known for their high-energy live shows, Blues Beatles seamlessly fuse timeless songs with a fresh, bluesy edge.

KRIS LAGER BAND

OMAHA, NE
Kris is a true musical journeyman, distributing his emotionally rich, genre-blending sound to anyone willing to listen. His "Celebrate Life" mantra" is a spirited commitment to uplifting listeners through his deep-rooted music and honest soul stirring lyrics. His performances are more of a communal gathering, full of dancing, clapping "soul clapping" and stage-shaking charisma.  Blues Rock Review says, 'He's a fantastic song writer'.

HECTOR ANCHONDO

OMAHA, NE
"As an award winning Blues musician, Héctor Anchondo lives and breaths music. Since picking up his first guitar at the age of sixteen, Hector has devoted much of his time to becoming the phenomenal guitarist that he is today. "
Anchondo is joined by Khayman Winfield on drums and Henry Tomsu on bass. Together, the trio delivers a powerful, groove-driven sound—balancing technical skill with raw emotion to create an authentic blues experience.  Winner of the 18th annual OEAA award for Outstanding Blues!! 

SAILING IN SOUP

OMAHA, NE
2018 Omaha Entertainment award winner, "Sailing In Soup" featuring Gunnar Guenette, Elwin " Elmo" Moseman, Craig Balderston, and Joey Gulizia. This tribe delivers a global tour of all soul-enriched musical styles with earthy instrumentation, including a large array of world percussion. The connection between these players is magic, and the song selection is as vast as their years of engaging audiences. 

BLUE HOUSE & THE RENT TO OWN HORNS

OMAHA, NE
Make the Earthquake and your Butt Shake! Rooted in classic blues traditions but never stuck in the past, their sound blends raw emotion with a playful, modern edge. Known for lively performances and crowd-connecting charm, Blue House and the Rent to Own Horns deliver a feel-good, foot-stomping set that keeps audiences locked in from the first note to the last. Winner of the 20th annual OEAA award for outstanding Blues! 

JOSH HOYER'S COLOSSAL 4

LINCOLN, NE
Josh Hoyer's Colossal 4 deliver a powerful blend of soul, funk, and rhythm & blues, led by the voice of Josh Hoyer. Known for their raw energy and heartfelt performances, the band channels classic influences while bringing a modern edge to every set. With tight grooves, rich horns, and a commanding stage presence, they create an experience that’s as electrifying as it is soulful. Winner of the 18th annual OEAA award for Outstanding Soul!! 

MATT COX

OMAHA, NE
Since the early 2000’s, singer/songwriter, and Shenandoah, Iowa, native Matt Cox has been writing songs, recording, and performing at venues all across the United States while developing his signature road-worn vocals, and guitar-harmonica style.  With a song catalog as vast as a stretch of highway across the plains, Cox blends the best traditions of classic-country, folk, bluegrass, rock, rhythm & blues, both as a solo artist, and with an ever-changing lineup of areas top talent (a.k.a. The Marauders)." Winner of the 19th Annual OEEA award for Outstanding Americana/Folk!! 

BACK ALLEY   

OMAHA, NE
Originally formed in 2012, BACK ALLEY is recognized for delivering electrifying and captivating performances. Their dynamic stage presence, energy, and passionate delivery consistently leave a lasting impression with critics and fans. The band’s unique selection of bluesy, jazzy, funky songs offers a unique musical approach, carving out a distinctive niche in the Omaha music scene.  

BLUES ED BANDS

OMAHA, NE
"BluesEd is a nonprofit youth music program sponsored by the Blues Society of Omaha, dedicated to Keeping the Blues Alive by inspiring the next generation of musicians.
What began in the late 1990s as a small Sunday jam led by local musician and educator Doug Backer has grown into one of the most respected youth blues programs in the country."

BLUES ED BAND - VERTIGO

Vertigo consists of 7 talented musicians who attend middle school.  They perform a broad range of blues spanning from the earliest blues to the blues of today.  You will love their energy and will love of music they play.  They have performed on stages and venues of all sizes in Omaha & Iowa. Their parents are very enthusiastic fans 'Roadies' and have followed them to Taste of Omaha, In the Market for the Blues and many other music festivals. They have raised their kids well with an excellent taste in music.  Winner of the 20th Annual OEEA award for Outstanding Youth Musicians!! 

BLUES ED BAND - BLUE SUNDAY

Blue Sunday is a nine-piece blues band, ranging in age from 14 to 18yrs old.  The rhythm section is comprised of Henry on drums and Gregory on the bass.  The guitarists Bert and Leo, plus Avik on keys, add layers and depth.  The experienced vocals of Shi & Patience create rich and harmonizing textures.   Rounding out the group are Logan on trumpet and Enzo on Sax. These horns make this band truly something special!  Blue Sunday aims to play a variety of blues literature from 
12-bar tones to more nuanced modern blues. 

BLUES ED BAND - THE REDWOODS 

The Redwoods band is in its 10th year with BluesEd! 
The 2026 returning members are Angel, Kenley, Irish, Trixie, Casey, and Jordan. New members are Isabelle and Ray.  Band members range from middle school to high school in age.  The Redwoods are proud to be a part of BluesEd, which cultivates and celebrates young musicians by connecting them to the music industry through weekly rehearsals with clinician interaction and showcasing their talents with live performances.  Winner of the 19th Annual OEEA award for Outstanding Youth Musicians!! 

BLUES ED BAND - TRUE BLUES

Rising high school band True Blues brings fresh energy to a timeless sound.  Holding down the grove is bassist Oak, whose deep steady lines lock in with drummer Anna's sharp driving rhythms. Guitarists Ben & Max Jackson trade rifts and solos with confidence and style. Elliot on sax and Marlee on trumpet bring a bold brassy sound that elevates the arrangements and gives their music a rich, full texture.  Arrow on keys adds a new layer of atmosphere, blending warm organ and classic piano tones, all with modern accents, that expand the band's sound! 