The Duke Robillard Band

Whether it’s a song, a style, an idiom or an image, Duke Robillard will render it with mastery, power, nuance and an unerring grasp of its essence. Born Michael John Robillard on October 4, 1948, in Woonsocket, R.I., Robillard has carved out one of blues’ most illustrious legacies, while also trodding some lofty related territories as a guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, bandleader, studio sideman, producer, label operator and educator. His unsurpassed mastery of the guitar style of T-Bone Walker was deservedly heralded, but his breadth was also head-turning – from swing, standards and ballads to rockers, gutbucket Chicago blues and rockabilly.

Duke Robillard started his career as a band leader founding Roomful of Blues. Since then, his resume has become decorated with Grammy nominations, Handy Awards, Blues Music Awards, and a stint replacing Jimmie Vaughan in The Fabulous Thunderbirds. On his latest project, Duke Robillard and his Dames of Rhythm, he wields an acoustic archtop and joins six thrushes for evocative and enjoyable renditions of 1920s and 1930s swing tunes. Duke’s prolificity has included producing albums by Billy Boy Arnold, Joe Louis Walker, Rosco Gordon, Jimmy Witherspoon and Jay McShann, additional studio credits with Bob Dylan, and toured with Tom Waits in 2006. BB King calls Robillard “One of the great players.” More praise includes: “Robillard is a soloist of stunning force and originality” (The New York Times), “Robillard’s ability to play across the spectrum of blues is legendary. Few players can move stylistically from Texas to Kansas City to Chicago’s West Side, but Robillard makes it seem easy” (Guitar Player), and “A guitarist’s guitarist, prolific producer, and master of all things blues, Duke Robillard walks the tightrope between traditionalism and experimentation … He’s a master of many styles who moves forward while maintaining a firm grounding in the past” (Blues Revue). Blues aficionados alert: this is one show not to be missed.

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