Heritage Blues Orchestra

Based in New York City, Heritage Blues Orchestra honors the heritage element of its name by concentrating primarily on classic blues repertoire. Yet a horn section reminiscent of New Orleans traditions, combined with generous infusions of jazz and gospel feeling, allows the ensemble to revitalize those longstanding sources. At the center stand three musicians who also handle the vocal duties: guitarist Junior Mack, guitarist Bill Sims Jr., and Sims’ daughter Chaney Sims. Completing the larger “orchestra” configuration are harmonica player Vincent Bucher, drummer Kenny Smith, and a brass contingent featuring tenor saxophonist Bruno Wilhelm, trumpeters Kenny Rampton and Steve Wiseman, and Clark Gayton on trombone, tuba, and sousaphone. Under the Raisin Music imprint, the group issued its first recording, And Still I Rise, during February 2012.