Our Mission
To preserve blues heritage, celebrate blues recording and performance, expand statewide awareness of the blues, and ensure the future of this uniquely American art form.
About Us
The Utah Blues Society (UBS) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) and one of approximately 200 official affiliates (nationally/internationally) of The Blues Foundation in Memphis. There has been a Utah Blues Society, at various times, since the mid/late 1990’s. We applied for and received our official 501(c)(3) status in May of 2014. This has allowed us to apply for grants that help support many of the programs listed below and further our society’s mission. We are proud of the support we have received to date from city, state and private sources. The Blues are alive and growing in the State of Utah!
We are a membership based organization, with an all-volunteer staff, and all membership fees and donations go towards supporting the programs listed below. Please consider becoming a member or renewing.
Our major programs are:
- Blues in the School (BITS)
- The Utah Blues Festival (our major fundraiser of the year – usually mid-June at The Gallivan Center)
- Cigar Box making workshops (often free or at nominal cost)
- Musicians Assistance Fund (healthcare assistance, aid and more to blues musicians in need)
- International Blues Challenge (IBC – ability to send a Utah band/solo-duo act to Memphis each January to compete against bands from all over the world)
We also provide support in promoting local and nationally touring blues artists within the state of Utah.
This website was specifically built to increase our engagement with membership, provide timely updates of our various programs and improve our Calendar of blues music within the state. We are always looking for volunteers so please contact us if you are interested in getting involved!
Board of Directors
- Cyd Butler, President
- Oren "Tripp" Hopkins, Treasurer
- Paul Bruno
- Marita Viselli
- Gabriella Hunter
- Michael Feldman
AND, If you're as passionate about the blues as we are and have a skill set or two you believe may benefit the UBS, please join us by completing our application here. Send an email with any questions to
