BATH – The horn-fueled, jumping, swinging, award-winning band Roomful of Blues will perform Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Chocolate Church Arts Center.

Since 1967, the group’s deeply rooted blend of swing, rock ‘n’ roll, jump, blues and soul has earned it five Grammy Award nominations and a slew of other accolades, including seven Blues Music Awards – with the nod for Blues Band Of The Year in 2005.

The band, with a membership that has continued to change and evolve over the years, has always boasted great musicianship featuring a stellar horn section. It is touring in support of its latest Alligator CD, “Raisin’ A Ruckus.”

With a nonstop performance schedule for almost 40 years, Roomful of Blues has earned critical, popular and radio success and a legion of fans around the globe. Twice, the prestigi

Roomful of Blues joined the Alligator Records family with the Grammy-nominated “That’s Right!” in 2003, followed by “Standing Room Only” in 2005.

Even though Roomful of Blues’ lineup has changed over the years, the band has always been one of the tightest, most joyful blues ensembles. Currently an eight-piece unit, it is led by guitarist Chris Vachon. In 2007, singer Dave Howard took over vocal duties, bringing his gritty and soulful vocals and adding another dimension to the group’s jazzy, jump-blues musical roots. Also in the band are new members bassist Dima Gorodetsky and drummer Ephraim Lowell; and longtime members Travis Colby, keyboardist; Mark Earley, baritone and tenor saxophonist; and Rich Lataille, tenor and alto saxophonist. Sadly, longtime and much celebrated trumpeter Bob Enos, who plays on “Raisin’ A Ruckus,” died just prior to the CD’s release.

Besides its band recordings, Roomful of Blues often backed legendary musicians like Jimmy Witherspoon, Jimmy McCracklin, Roy Brown, Joe Turner, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson and Earl King – stars of the 1940s and 1950s blues scene, and the very people who created the music that Roomful still keeps vital and alive.

Roomful recorded albums with Turner, Vinson and King during the 1980s, and all three recordings received Grammy nominations.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at the Chocolate Church Arts Center, 798 Washington St. Tickets are $21 for members, $23 for nonmembers and $26 at the door. Call 442-8637.

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