Duke Robillard | Artist

Michael John "Duke" Robillard is an American jump-blues guitarist and singer born 1948 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He founded the band Roomful of Blues, was a member of the Fabulous Thunderbirds and has a successful career as soloist and bandleader. Although Robillard is known as a rock and blues guitarist, he also plays jazz and swing. Before becoming a professional musician Robillard worked for the Guild guitar company, then in 1967 formed the Roomful of Blues band with pianist Al Copley. He spent over ten years with Roomful of Blues before departing in 1979 to be the guitarist for Rockabilly singer Robert Gordon. He started the Duke Robillard Band in 1981 but recorded on the Rounder Records label as Duke Robillard and the Pleasure Kings. In 1990 he joined the Fabulous Thunderbirds to replace Jimmie Vaughan and during 2013 was guitarist for Bob Dylan's touring band. Musically, Robillard has explored a diversity of blues styles, with his warm, silvery, vintage sound and clean playing style evoking the entire history of blues, jump R&B, swing, and proto rock & roll. A prolific recording artist, he has released 35 studio albums to-date, including solo work, band works and collaborations. Standout albums include After Hours Swing Session (1992), Duke's Blues (1996), Stretchin' Out Live (1998), The Duke Meets the Earl - with Ronnie Earl (2005), World Full of Blues (2007), Stomp! the Blues Tonight (2009), and Ear Worms (2019). Robillard has twice won the W.D. Handy Best Blues Guitarist Award - in 2000 and 2001, and received Grammy Award nominations for Best Contemporary Blues Album for Guitar Groove-a-Rama (2007), and Best Traditional Blues Album for Stomp! The Blues Tonight (2010).

Artist Website: dukerobillard.com

Featured Albums: Duke Robillard

Related Artists: Duke Robillard Band, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Roomful of Blues

Video Clips: She's Sweet, Make it Rain, Jump the Blues for You