A packed house greeted blues singer and harmonica virtuoso Grady Champion at The Coral Room as he kicked off the Heritage Music Series 2012 in style Sunday.

The series of concerts will feature blues and jazz music over the next five months then conclude with a New Year’s Eve show and dance.

Vicksburg Blues Society and Vicksburg Heritage League director Shirley Waring said the audience was mesmerized with Champion’s music and stories.

“Grady Champion is a fascinating performer,” Waring said. “He’s a real Mississippi bluesman.

“‘Wow,’ was what we heard, over and over from the crowd after the show and ‘we’ll be here for the next one,’” she added.

The series continues April 7 with Sunpie & the Louisiana Sunspots, a group specializing in Cajun blues and zydeco and will feature eight more performances through December.

Waring said she hopes the music series will be a catalyst for live blues and jazz music in Vicksburg on a regular basis. She said it would enhance the experience of visitors following The Mississippi Blues Trail to the city.

“My hope is that even more venues will book live blues and jazz performances,” she said, noting LD’s, a downtown restaurant, offers live blues music every Tuesday night.

The Heritage Music Series 2012 offers a smoke free listening environment for its audience and a cash bar is available.

Most of the shows are scheduled for the Coral Room inside The Vicksburg, 801 Clay St. A New Year’s Eve gala will wrap up the series and is planned for the B’nai B’rith Literary Club, 721 Clay St.

Tickets are available by calling 601-618-9049, 601-630-2921, or by visiting Michel’s Music, located at 1417 Washington St. or www.westsidetheatrefoundation.com.

2012 Heritage Music Series Schedule:

• SUNPIE & THE LOUISIANA SUNSPOTS

Cajun blues & zydeco

April 7, 8 p.m., $25

• LEAF RIVER BLUES BAND

Blues with a kick

April 28, 6 p.m., $20

• DEXTER ALLEN

International touring artist

May 19, 8 p.m., $20

• TERRY EVANS

International touring artist

June 17, 6 p.m., $20

• MILT HINTON (1910-2000) MEMORIAL JAZZ CONCERT

The Ron Myers Group

June 23, 7 p.m., Free

• RED WHITE & BLUES honoring WILLIE DIXON (1915-1992)

Fourth of July weekend performances throughout Vicksburg

June 29-July 4

• HANK JONES (1918-2010) MEMORIAL JAZZ CONCERT

The Ron Myers Group

July 31, 7 p.m., Free

• JERICHO ROAD SHOW

Ramblin’ Steve Gardner & Bill Steber

Aug. 31, 7 p.m., $20

• DEXTER ALLEN

New Year’s Eve show and dance

Dec. 31, 8 p.m., $75