Duke Robillard

Duke Robillard operates as a master curator and innovator of American roots guitar. Hailing from Rhode Island, his obsession with the sophisticated, horn-driven sound of jump blues led him, while still in his teens, to found Roomful of Blues in 1967. The band became a university for swing and blues, launching several careers. Robillard, however, was never one to stand still. His own path unfolded as a series of deep dives: a stint with the Fabulous Thunderbirds after Jimmie Vaughan's departure, a flourishing solo career, and prolific session work that showcased his chameleonic ability to shift from T-Bone Walker's jazzy lines to Chicago shuffle. He is a historian with a guitar, dedicating albums to the styles of artists like Les Paul and Charlie Christian, not merely replicating them but breathing new life into their vocabulary. For decades, he has been a central node in the blues ecosystem, respected by peers and fans for his impeccable taste and unwavering dedication to the music's rich traditions.