Twelve Bar Blues Band members Peter Langerak, Kees Dusink, and Jan Scherpenzeel

 with PwF Co-Producers Jeff and Vanessa

The Dutch Blues Connection:

Twelve Bar Blues Band

Persistence and unwavering passion brought the Saturday, July 15 headliner Twelve Bar Blues Band from Amsterdam to Playing with Fire. Jeff Davis shared the journey of getting 12BBB to Omaha, from stumbling upon the band on a late-night YouTube rabbit hole to personal pleas that eventually secured the band's first and only USA show...right here in Omaha.

"I immediately tried to book the band but discovered they had recently gone on hiatus," Davis said. "The band’s website indicated no contact information, so I contacted my friend Rob van Elst, the originator of the Netherlands Blues Moose Radio. Rob gave me some 12BBB contact info and wished me luck. I contacted Kees Dusink, 12BBB lead guitarist, and made a pitch for a PwF show. The answer was no since all the band members were doing new projects."

It pays to be persistent. Davis contacted Kees every few months for two years with a PwF proposal for an Omaha show. Finally, in 2021, the band said yes to a 2022 show!

Get ready to be transported back to the old-school Chicago Blues era on Saturday, July 15.

Music For The City 2022 , Vanessa (PwF), David Thompson (Bass), Jeff Davis (PwF), Maggie Ebert (PwF Immigration Attorney), Dom Martin, Fenton and Audrey (Dom’s Mgmt Team)

An Electrifying Irish Presence:

Dom Martin Band

Hailing from Northern Ireland, Dom Martin's guitar skills and electrifying performances have earned him a place in the prestigious British Blues Hall of Fame.

Dom Martin played his first USA show last May in Omaha at Music for the City, PwF sister’s concert series, making many new fans stateside. Since Dom’s Music for the City show, he won an additional two UK Blues Music Awards this year, one of which is for best guitarist in the UK. Dom returns to perform on PwF’s big stage at Turner Park on Saturday, July 15.

"True to his Irish roots, Dom always includes a few tunes from one of my favorite artists, Rory Gallagher," Davis revealed. "Expect to be wowed for 70 minutes!"

Brace yourself for 70 minutes of awe-inspiring talent and undeniable stage presence. Dom Martin and his band will deliver a performance that will leave you longing for more. Get a feel for his vibe here:

The Return of a Rising Star:

Justin Saladino Band

In the early days of Playing with Fire, cultural exchanges with Quebec's Mont Tremblant International Blues Festival brought young talents to the forefront. Among them was Justin Saladino, who has since exploded into a remarkable band leader, guitarist, and songwriter.

He recently competed at the IBCs and performed at the Montreal Jazz Festival and on a Joe Bonamassa KTBA blues cruise.

"As part of the mission of PwF to support young talent, we are excited to welcome Justin Saladino back to Omaha," Davis said.

Brace yourself for an evening of original tracks infused with Justin's soulful, bluesy spirit--all on Saturday, July 15!

Justin Saladino performed with Runaway Slide August 2008 at PwF

PwF and BluesEd comes ’Full Circle’ with BluesEd alum, Heather Newman return to PwF with her own band

Supporting Young Talent: BluesEd

"I always knew that when starting PwF, our events would support another non-profit partnership – it’s just the right thing to do."

Vanessa and Jeff made BluesEd Playing with Fire's continuous partner in 2018 when they brought BluesEd Alum Heather Newman and her band to play PwF.  PwF shares 50% of all free-will donations at their Saturday shows with BluesEd.

PwF is one of the few events providing BluesEd with the opportunity to raise funds for their organization.

Learn all about artists, venue, hotel accommodations, and event details visit PwF website:  https://www.playingwithfireomaha.net