Burt St. Boys and Daughters return to Music as Medicine

From left: Lars Erickson, his son, Adam, wife Lisa and son, Alek, will perform Thursday during the “Music as Medicine” concert in the Durham Outpatient Center’s West Atrium. The show starts at noon and is sponsored by the UNMC Chancellor’s Office.

A favorite of the Music as Medicine concert series, Omaha’s Burt St. Boys and Daughters will again fill the Durham Outpatient Center West Atrium with their groove-filled signature sound on Thursday.

The show, which is sponsored by the UNMC Chancellor’s Office, starts at noon in the Durham Outpatient Center’s West Atrium.

The band is a six-piece jazz ensemble featuring the Erickson family. Father Lars plays piano and mother Lisa plays flute. The couple’s four children also play with Alek on bass, Adam behind the drums, Emma on cello and Helen on clarinet.

“It transcends the music and connects with something deep within the spirit. For me, it does not happen often enough, but when it does, I try to define it better so that I might be able to get closer the next time.” Lars Erickson

The band hits on many styles during its performances, moving effortlessly from Baroque pieces by J.S. Bach to music by jazz great Herbie Hancock in the same set. Original numbers by Lars Erickson also will be featured.

Lars Erickson said he is driven to play by the “groove” of great music.

“It transcends the music and connects with something deep within the spirit,” he said. “For me, it does not happen often enough, but when it does, I try to define it better so that I might be able to get closer the next time.”

This is the fourth year the band will play during the “Music as Medicine” series.

The next concert in the “Music and Medicine” series will be held March 20 and will feature selections from members of the Omaha Chamber Music Society.