 Roomful of Blues
- With an almost non-stop performance schedule for the last 37 years, Roomful of
Blues has earned critical, popular and radio success and a legion of fans
around the globe. Twice, the prestigious Down Beat International Critics Poll
selected Roomful of Blues as Best Blues Band. Roomful’s horn section has won
The Blues Foundation’s W.C. Handy Award for “Best Instrumentalist” three times
and in 2004 won the prestigious W.C. Handy award for “Best Blues Band. They
joined the Alligator Records family with That's Right! in 2003. The CD received
massive amounts of praise and received yet another Grammy© nomination. Now
they're back with Standing Room Only, an utterly hip-shaking set of songs highlighting
the vocal and instrumental power of the band.
Remaining together for so long is not simply a matter of survival, but rather a
testament to Roomful of Blues' commitment to its originality and its ability to
evolve. Currently an eight-piece unit led by guitarist Chris Vachon, the band
has never sounded fresher or stronger. With vocalist/harpist Dave Howard,
upright bassist Dimitri Gorodetsky, drummer Ephraim Lowell, keyboardist
Travis Colby, baritone and tenor saxophonist Mark Earley along with
long-time members tenor and alto saxophonist Rich Lataille (the
longest-standing member of the group) and trumpeter Bob Enos,
It all began in Westerly, Rhode Island in 1967 when guitarist Duke Robillard
and keyboardist Al Copley started a band that played tough, no-holds-barred
Chicago blues. They soon began exploring the swinging, jumping blues, R&B and
jazz of the 1940s and 1950s, and added a horn section in 1970. The band's
ability to ignite a sedate crowd into a dancing frenzy solidified their
reputation as the best “little big band” in New England and expanded their
following into New York and Washington. In 1974, they performed with Count
Basie, and a few years later, legendary songwriter Doc Pomus helped them land
their first record deal. In 1977, Roomful of Blues' self-titled debut album on
Island Records (recently reissued on Hyena Records) brought them to the
attention of fans and critics from coast to coast.
Over the years there have been at least 44 Roomful of Blues members, each
bringing his or her own unique talent and vision to the mix.
When founding
member Duke Robillard left the band in 1980, equally talented guitarist Ronnie
Earl replaced him. Singer Lou Ann Barton joined the band at this time, sharing
vocals with Greg Piccolo. By now the band was touring nationally and attracting
bigger and bigger crowds. Roomful recorded the critically acclaimed Hot Little
Mama for their own Blue Flame label and two successful albums for the Varrick
label during the 1980s. In 1994 they released Dance All Night, their first
featuring guitarist Chris Vachon (who joined the band in 1990) and
harpist/vocalist Sugar Ray Norcia. Radio play was increasing, as was the band's
stature. Their 1995 album, the Grammy©-nominated Turn It On! Turn It Up!, was a
remarkable mix of big band swing and rock 'n' roll, bringing the band its
greatest radio and sales success to date, and giving them credibility with the
rock radio audience.
In addition to their band recordings, Roomful of Blues have 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. They backed
rocker Pat Benatar on her 1991 album, True Love, further establishing Roomful
of Blues' reputation as one of the best blues bands in the country. The Roomful
Horns backed many other artists as well, including Canadian star Colin James on
his double platinum album (in Canada), Colin James and the Little Big Band, and
Stevie Ray Vaughan on his 1984 Live At Carnegie Hall album on Epic.
As always, the driving philosophy of Roomful of Blues as a musicians' band puts
the unit ahead of any one individual. Their winning combination of jump, swing, blues,
R&B and soul remains their calling card, as does their ability to fill the dance
floor.
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