Heritage Blues Orchestra to Perform in Park City, 2/27

"At once new and timeless" (The Wall Street Journal), Heritage Blues Orchestra creates music deeply rooted in African American genres - a startling blend of blues, jazz, gospel and beyond. The Grammy-nominated group comes to The Eccles Center on February 27. Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available by calling 435-655-3114 or online at EcclesCenter.org.

A group that traverses the textured, turbulent and triumphant roots of African American music - from chain gangs and juke joints to orchestra pits and church pews - Heritage Blues Orchestra (HBO) has crafted a rich and relevant sound. HBO's core trio Bill Sims, Jr. (guitar, piano and vocals), Sims' daughter Chaney Sims (vocals) and Junior Mack (guitar and vocals) delivers a blend of genres spanning the grit of low-down country and blues, New Orleans brass, gospel and fiery postmodern jazz as well as the haunting cries of work songs and pulsating drums. For the Park City show, the entire orchestra - nine members in total - rounds out the HBO sound with brass (trumpets, sax, tuba and trombone), percussion and harmonica.

Since HBO's debut album "And Still I Rise" (2012), critics have showered the group with praise. According to BBC Radio, "This is an extraordinary outfit. Heritage Blues Orchestra is unlike anything that's ever happened before." And Living Blues Magazine calls HBO, "A masterpiece of musical African Americana."

HBO is a recent addition to Park City Institute's line-up, which originally scheduled Allen Toussaint as the Feb. 27 headliner.

"We were deeply saddened by Allen Toussaint's death late last year," says PCI executive director Teri Orr. "Heritage Blues Orchestra is the right fit as we try to fill the space left by such a revered artist. I have no doubt that we are honoring Toussaint and the incredible music he made by bringing this outstanding new brand of blues to our stage."

Park City Institute presents Heritage Blues Orchestra on February 27, 2016 at The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Center for the Performing Arts (1750 Kearns Blvd., Park City). Tickets range from $25-$75 (20-percent discount for seniors, ½ price tickets for children ages 16 and under; $5 seats are available in the Copper Section for Summit County students (K-12). Tickets and information are available at The Eccles Center box office, 435-655-3114 or EcclesCenter.org.

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