By Quanecia Fraser
OMAHA, Neb. —
The Love’s Jazz Center on North 24th Street will get new life, thanks to a musician who is also an Omaha native.
Dana Murray plans to bring music and educational programming for youth, but he also hopes to expand that education to people of all ages.
Murray remembers performing with Preston Love Sr. at the Showcase Lounge, just a block away from the now, former, Love’s Jazz Center.
“Literally, without music, a big part of my soul would be lost,” Murray said. “My mother bought me this little toy and drum set, which I ripped apart probably in a week.”
By the time he was a teenager, he’d quickly go from drumming in the marching band at Omaha South High School, to performing around town with well-known artists like Love.
“And I had to have been the last crop of young musicians that would’ve had a chance to do that,” Murray said.
Murray studied at the Berklee College of Music before growing his career as a musician in New York City in the 90s. He performed with several well-known artists including Jimmy Witherspoon and Norah Jones.
In 2005, he moved back to Omaha to raise his son, he started teaching at different schools including the University of Nebraska Omaha and Bellevue East High School. He also started a nonprofit drum performance.
“Teaching kids, and teaching the youth, has definitely become my biggest passion,” Murray said.
Now, that passion will continue in his new role as the director of music programming and education at the now, former Love’s Jazz Center.
“When you can get that cross-section of experiences (and) know-how, but then (also) connection to Omaha, we just knew that it was the best of all worlds,” North 24th Street Business Improvement District President LaVonya Goodwin.
It’s a role Murray said he’s proud to step into.
“This will belong to that community and I want them to feel a sense of pride and ownership for it,” Murray said.
Goodwin said they’ll have to start renovating the space before the official programs actually start. In the meantime, you can check the Business Improvement District website for updates.