Roomful Of Blues

Spanning many decades, Roomful of Blues developed into an institution that maintained a consistent identity through repeated membership turnover. Since forming in the late 1960s, more than 45 players have passed through the ranks, several of whom later built independent reputations, among them guitarists Duke Robillard and Ronnie Earl, organist Ron Levy, pianist Al Copley, singer Lou Ann Barton, vocalist/harmonica player Sugar Ray Norcia, and drummer Fran Christina, who subsequently joined the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Although the group began by merging blues with rock energy, it gradually specialized in jump blues driven by a robust horn section—whose members frequently lent their services to outside artists drawn to the sound—alongside guitars, bass, keyboards, drums, and commanding vocals. The self-titled 1977 debut, co-produced by legendary songwriter Doc Pomus, reflected the band’s command of blues tradition while emphasizing enjoyment, a balance further illustrated by later releases such as 1981’s Hot Little Mama, 1994’s Dance All Night, 2001’s Watch You When You Go, and 2005’s Standing Room Only. Roomful of Blues also earned acclaim for live performances, and 2013’s 45 Live confirmed that, nearly fifty years after inception, the ensemble retained its capacity to energize audiences.

Founded in Westerly, RI, in 1967 by guitarist Duke Robillard and pianist Al Copley, the nine-piece unit that defined most of the band’s history first stabilized around drummer Fran Christina and bassist Larry Peduzzi while working local clubs and coffeehouses in a contemporary blues-rock vein. Robillard shifted course after encountering jump blues; in 1970 he recruited saxophonists Greg Piccolo on tenor and Rich Lataille on alto and tenor, installed a more swinging drummer in John Rossi, and added baritone saxophonist Doug James in 1971. Following several years of refining their approach and building regional popularity, Roomful of Blues began backing established blues performers and launched a fifteen-year residency at Westerly’s Knickerbocker Cafe. In 1974 they shared bills with Count Basie, an avowed admirer, and after additional road work songwriter Doc Pomus secured a contract with Island Records. The self-titled debut appeared in 1977, followed by 1979’s Let’s Have a Party on Antilles, after which Robillard departed to launch a successful solo career.

Ronnie Earl assumed the guitar and leadership roles, and trombonist Porky Cohen expanded the horn section. Vocalist Lou Ann Barton spent one year with the group before saxophonist Piccolo assumed frontman duties on 1981’s Hot Little Mama, issued by Blue Flame; trumpeter Bob Enos and bassist Jimmy Wimpfheimer also joined that year, the latter replaced by Preston Hubbard in 1983. Growing recognition within the blues community led to studio collaborations with Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson on the 1982 Grammy-nominated Eddie Cleanhead Vinson & Roomful of Blues, Big Joe Turner on the 1983 Grammy-nominated Blues Train, and Earl King on the 1988 Grammy-nominated Glazed. Signing with Varrick, the band recorded 1984’s Dressed Up to Get Messed Up, which benefited from the rising profiles of Stevie Ray Vaughan and the Fabulous Thunderbirds and supported extensive touring. After Piccolo underwent throat surgery, Keith Dunn substituted on the road and vocalist/harpist Curtis Salgado became a longer-term replacement, appearing on 1987’s Live at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel alongside new organist Ron Levy, who succeeded Copley.

Ronnie Earl exited later that year, and although Roomful of Blues continued drawing crowds, seven years passed before the group returned to the studio under its own name—though it did back Pat Benatar on 1991’s True Love. Subsequent changes included Salgado’s departure once Piccolo recovered, Carl Querfurth replacing trombonist Cohen in 1988 (and later producing), guitarist Chris Vachon arriving in 1990, and pianist Matt McCabe joining in 1992. Financing their own sessions after a series of label setbacks, the band placed Dance All Night with Bullseye Blues in 1994. With Piccolo gone, Sugar Ray Norcia handled vocals and harmonica on that album and the follow-ups Turn It On! Turn It Up! (1995, Grammy-nominated) and Under One Roof (1997). A wave of departures then reduced the lineup to drummer Rossi, guitarist Vachon, trumpeter Enos, and saxophonist Lataille. Restored to nine pieces and fronted by vocalist McKinley “Mac” Odom, the group issued There Goes the Neighborhood in 1998. Drummer Rossi retired before 2001’s Watch You When You Go, on which Chris Lemp took over the drum chair. Seeking a more traditional blues orientation, the band replaced Odom with singer/harpist Mark DuFresne in early 2002. Moving to Alligator Records, they released That’s Right in 2003 and maintained a steady output with 2005’s Standing Room Only, 2008’s Raisin’ a Ruckus, and 2011’s Hook, Line & Sinker. The 45th-anniversary celebration yielded 45 Live, captured across three nights at Rhode Island’s Ocean Mist and issued by Alligator in 2013. In 2020 Alligator presented In a Roomful of Blues, produced by guitarist Chris Vachon, who also contributed several originals; ten of the thirteen tracks were Roomful of Blues compositions, the largest number yet featured on one of their albums.