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Roomful of BluesEven though Roomful of Blues’ lineup has changed over the years, the band has always been one of the tightest, most joyful blues ensembles in the world. Currently an eight-piece unit led by guitarist Chris Vachon, the band has never sounded fresher or stronger. Singer DD Bastos brings her sweet and soulful vocals and adds another bright new dimension to the jazzy, jump-blues musical roots. Their winning combination of jump, swing, blues, R&B and soul remains their calling card, as does their ability to fill the dance floor. Along with bassist John Turner, trumpeter Chris Pratt, drummer Mike Coffey, keyboardist Jeff Ceasrine, baritone and tenor saxophonist Craig Thomas, and tenor and alto saxophonist Rich Lataille, Roomful keeps on rockin’ year after year!
Roomful of Blues, according to DownBeat magazine, “are in a class by themselves.” With their masterful combination of jumping, horn-heavy, hard-edged blues and R&B, it’s no wonder why the great Count Basie called them “the hottest blues band I’ve ever heard.” Since 1967, the group’s deeply rooted blend of swing, rock ‘n’ roll, jump, blues and soul has earned it five Grammy Award nominations and a slew of other accolades, including seven Blues Music Awards.With a non-stop performance schedule for over 55 years, Roomful of Blues has earned critical, popular and radio success and a legion of fans around the globe. including the prestigious DownBeat International Critics Poll for “Best Blues Band”.
D.D. Bastos – Vocals
DD is no stranger to the stage. She began singing in church at the age of 5 years old. Music has always been her passion. D.D. earned second chair in the All-Eastern Honors Ensemble representing Massachusetts which garnered her a scholarship.
After college D.D. began performing with local bands throughout NE which led to the inception of her band DD & The Road Kings. Her work put her closely associated with the fraternity that is; Roomful of Blues, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones, The Broadcasters and the dozens of splinter groups who have branched off -- shaping many other New England Blues bands. Certainly, when three of them show up on D.D. and the Road Kings' album Lover Bird, which was well received by critics and fans alike, there is a common thread that can be traced back to the '60s Blues revival. D.D. is also a Choral Director in the public school system with 20+ years as a private music teacher. Her love of singing is what fuels her soulful and powerful performances.
Chris Vachon - Guitar
Chris is a true multi-talent. His prowess as a guitar slinger is well documented, and his strengths as a producer and songwriter grow from album to album. He produced the band’s nine most recent albums—There Goes the Neighborhood (1998), Watch You When You Go (2001), Live at Wolf Trap (2002) the Grammy nominated That’s Right! (2003), and Standing Room Only (2004), “Raisin’ A Ruckus” (2008), Hook, Line & Sinker (2011), 45 Live (2013) and In A Roomful of Blues (2020) after co-producing all of Roomful’s other albums recorded in the ’90s. Chris’s songs— such as “Turn It On! Turn It Up!,” “Running Out of Time,” “She’ll Be So Fine,” “Blue, Blue World,” “Dynamite” and “Keep on Rockin'" have become firm favorites in AAA and bluesradio formats, bringing many new fans into the Roomful fold.
John Turner - Upright and Electric Bass
A veteran of the New England jazz scene, bassist John Turner has performed and recorded with just about everybody–specifically the Either/Orchestra,Charlie Kohlhase, Scott Hamilton, Roswell Rudd, Lee Konitz, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, members of Ornette Coleman’s band, and Magic Dick-Jay Geils and Blues Time to name a few. John’s rock solid bottom is the essential element of the swing groove which Roomful is renowned for.
Jeff Ceasrine – Piano\Organ
Originally from New York, Jeff is a multi-instrumentalist who has performed throughout the New England area on keyboards, rhythm guitar, percussion, and background vocals for over 25 years. He has worked in several long-standing acts in Rhode Island (blues, jazz, and swing) and has played many one-off gigs with various bands throughout the region. A frequent guest and on-call keyboard player with Roomful of Blues since 2008 (appearing on their recent "In a Roomful of Blues” CD), Jeff is comfortable with many different blues stylings. His influences include Pine Top Perkins, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, Lonnie Smith, Otis Spann and Jimmy Smith..”
Mike Coffey - Drums
From Newport Rhode Island Mike Coffey spent 20 years performing with the US Navy band. Upon retirement he performed with local blues artist Chris Stoval Brown and other well-known blues artist in the Boston area. As part of a weekly Jazz series he has performed with Mike Renzi and Grey Sargent both members of Tony Bennett’s band and other renown jazz artist. He also performs with 50s doo wop group”The Diamonds” when they perform in New England. He
studied with renown drum instructors Alan Dawson and Gary Chaffee. Known for his versatility and ability to enhance any group he performs with he been a welcome new member of Roomful of Blues.
Rich Lataille - Tenor and Alto Sax
Rich joined Roomful in 1970 and was there at the beginning of what has become the most legendary horn section in contemporary blues. It was Rich’s interest in the swinging bands of the ’30s and ’40s that led Roomful to forge the distinctive sound that has become the band’s trademark. A man who can play both sides of the fence, lyrically tender or blisteringly hot, Rich has a big, warm tone that is always jam-packed with feeling. His melodic inventiveness reflects
the depth and breadth of his wide-ranging influences. Rich worked with various local and high-school bands before beginning his long-term relationship with Roomful.
Craig Thomas – Baritone and Tenor Sax
Craig was born in Washington DC and grew up in Maryland. At a young age Craig heard an early rock and roll instrumental “Wild Weekend” by the Rockin’ Rebels which inspired him to take up the saxophone. He moved to LA in his early 20s and played with the likes of Jim Messina of Loggins & Messina, Les McCann, Aretha Franklin, the Stylistics, Freda Payne, Jermaine Jackson the R&B Bombers among many, many others. Craig's rich musical background is a welcome asset to the Roomful of Blues horn section.
Christopher Pratt – Trumpet
Chris is a native of Rhode Island and has performed throughout the New England area with various local and national acts for over forty years. Chris recently retired as a music teacher of 37 years from Warwick Rhode Island and continues to actively teach music at Roger Williams University. Chris's pure melodic style, infectious energy, and love of the blues can be heard every time Roomful of Blues takes the stage!
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Knickerbocker Music Center, 35 Railroad Ave,Westerly,RI,United States
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