Vocalist Ellis Hooks Brings Soul and Blues to the 1200 Club, 1/16

Omaha Performing Arts presents blues vocalist Ellis Hooks in the 1200 Club at the Holland Performing Arts Center's Scott RecitAl Hall on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 8:00 p.m.

Hailed by Blues Revue as "equal parts soulful groove, bluesy mix of joy and pain, and straight-up rock 'n' roll drive," Ellis Hooks' dynamic singing is an exciting mix of genres that was years in the making. Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Hooks is the 13th of 16 children born to sharecroppers. Legend has it that Hooks didn't own a pair of shoes until the age of eight and left home at 15 to seek his fortune as a singer. Hitchhiking across the United States, Hooks eventually landed in New York, where he played an occasional gig on Bleeker Street and sang in Central Park during the day. During his days in Central Park, Hooks caught the attention of legendary Supreme Diana Ross. Ross offered Hooks a recording session, but he balked, claiming that his songs weren't developed enough.

Hooks moved to Europe and returned to the U.S. in 1995 and released his debut album, Undeniable, in 2002, garnering a slew of attention on the other side of the Atlantic.  His newfound notoriety and acclaim afforded him to chance to play at Switzerland's Montreux Jazz Festival and Italy's esteemed Poretta Festival. Now, seven years and five albums later, Hooks continues to perform to critical and popular acclaim. "Given the powerful nature of his recordings and his intensity in concert, Hooks may be the artist who brings these historic traditions back onto the charts in the 21st Century" (All Music Guide).

Now in its fourth season, 1200 Club at the Holland transforms the Holland Performing Arts Center's most intimate venue, the Suzanne and Walter Scott RecitAl Hall, into a relaxed lounge where patrons can experience performances by national and internationally known artists in folk, jazz, blues, world music and comedy. While enjoying the evening's entertainment, audience members may order hors d'oeuvres and cocktails served right to their table.

Tickets for Ellis Hooks are $25 in advance and $30 the day of the show. Tickets to all performances in the 1200 Club are on sale now and may be purchased through Ticket Omaha by phone at (402) 345-0606, online at TicketOmaha.com, or at the Ticket Omaha Box Office inside the Holland Performing Arts Center at 13th and Douglas streets. Ticket prices include admission to the 1200 Club and the performance. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

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