ROOMFUL OF BLUES
WHO | Current lineup [from left]: Doug Woolverton, Travis Colby, John Turner, Phil Pemberton, Ephraim Lowell, Chris Vachon, Mark Early, and Rich Lataille
BIO | Duke Robillard and Al Copley formed the R&B/swing/blues band in Westerly in 1967; a horn section was added in 1970 [including saxophonist Lataille]. Legendary songwriter Doc Pomus helped them get signed to Island Records, which released their first album in 1977; they've released 18 studio albums [collaborations with Big Joe Turner, Dr. John, and Earl King among them], two live albums, and two compilations. A roomful of musicians — more than 50 — have contributed to the band's rich legacy, most notably Ronnie Earl, Curtis Salgado, Lou Ann Barton, Porky Cohen, Ron Levy, Fran Christina, and Preston Hubbard [the latter pair of Fabulous Thunderbirds fame].
AWARDS | ROB has been honored twice as Best Blues Band by DownBeat magazine's International Critics Poll and have received five Grammy nominations.
FUN FACT | Legend has it that Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi were inspired to form the Blues Brothers after seeing Roomful perform at the Bottom Line in NYC.
