Duke Robillard - Roll With Me
Duke Robillard celebrates his 75th with Roll With Me, a vibrant homage to postwar jump blues, showcasing his masterful guitar work and a stellar ensemble, proving that his journey in music is far from over.
"Back in the early 2000s, I was given the green light to kick off a new blues album for Stony Plain. After laying down nine scorching blues tracks, another album concept caught our attention, leading us into another recording session. I promised we'd return to the blues album right after finishing the new project. But as life goes, gigs, tours, and the whirlwind of existence took over. That initial blues album got shelved repeatedly as we kept birthing new album ideas mere months after the last release.
Fast forward two decades and numerous recordings later, we finally reached a juncture where it felt right to wrap up my final record with Stony Plain. All along, I knew we had to revisit that album we started back in 2005. I always sensed those tracks were solid, but it wasn't until revisiting them that I fully grasped their true strength."
Duke Robillard, a blues legend whose career began with A Roomful of Blues in 1967, has left an indelible mark on Americana music. In his 75th year, with 37 solo albums and countless collaborations under his belt, Robillard continues to master blues, swing, jump blues, and jazz. His accolades include two Best Blues Guitarist WC Handy Awards, multiple Blues Awards, Grammy nominations, and recognition among the world's top blues artists by Downbeat and Living Blues.
His new album, Roll With Me, pays homage to the swinging postwar history of jump blues while brimming with boundless energy. Featuring blazing tributes to icons like Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Big Joe Turner, and Fats Domino, Robillard's vocals resonate powerfully alongside his razor-sharp guitar work. Backed by a stellar lineup including pianist Matt McCabe, bassist Marty Ballou, drummer Mark Teixeira, and other seasoned musicians, Robillard effortlessly navigates through a repertoire that spans from Texas blues to Chicago classics.
Recorded across Rhode Island studios and mixed by longtime collaborator John Paul Gauthier, Roll With Me is the latest milestone in Robillard's fruitful partnership with Stony Plain. From their early collaborations to his current status as a blues luminary, Robillard's journey continues to evolve, fueled by an unwavering commitment to musical exploration and innovation.
"I'm still touring and playing worldwide, so this isn't a farewell," Robillard affirms with a smile. With Duke Robillard, it's always time to roll on.