ROOMFUL OF BLUES

Even 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 Phil Pemberton brings his sweet and soulful vocals and adds another bright new dimension to the jazzy, jump-blues musical roots. Thier 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 Carl Gerhard, drummer Mike Coffey, keyboardist Rusty Scott, baritone and tenor saxophonist Alek Razdan, tenor and alto saxophonist
Rich Lataille , Roomful keeps on rockin’ into 2020.

Phil Pemberton – Vocals
As leader of his own bands for the last 20 years, this Massachusetts native has found himself playing to intimate clubs all the way to large festivals, throughout the US, England, France and Canada. In addition, The Philip Pemberton Band was also the 1st Western band to play in the former capital of China, Xi’an on a 2 week tour broadcast to ½ a billion people throughout Asia.

“His voice can ache with tenderness, or rattle the rafters with it’s power…”- Patricia Smith (Pulitzer nominated Journalist) Boston Globe
“This man could sing his way outta Jail…” -Bill Smith

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 eight 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) and 45 Live (2013) after co-producing all of Roomful’s other albums recorded in the ’90s. Chris’ 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 blues radio 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.

Rusty Scott – Piano and B3
Rusty Scott has been a fixture on the Boston jazz and blues scene for a number of years now. He began playing piano at the age of eight. His jazz studies began with Burlington jazz musician, Bruce Sklar, while attending the University of Vermont. In 1989 he attended Berklee College of Music. Rusty also plays Hammond B3 organ and in addition to being a member of Roomful of Blues he currently heads up the Rusty Scott Organ Group, playing major venues throughout Boston and New England. Rusty’s solid
rhythm, driving piano solos, and howlin’ organ riffs are a first class addition to the “Roomful Tradition”.

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.

Alek Razdan – Baritone and Tenor Sax
Hailing from Rockport, MA, Alek Razdan is truly a lifelong fan of Roomful of Blues, exposed to the band’s LPs from his parents’ record collection since before he could walk. Idolizing the tone, energy, and conviction of saxophone greats such as Illinois Jacquet, Big Jay McNeely, Arnett Cobb, Red Prysock, and Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Alek is a perfect fit as the newest member of Roomful’s legendary horn section. Since he began performing at the age of 8, Alek has shared the stage with and/or benefited from the mentorship of Mark Earley, Sax “Gordon” Beadle, Bobby Hebb, Barrence Whitfield, Whoopi Goldberg, Willie “Loco” Alexander, and many others. When not performing with Roomful, Alek can also be found playing in the air-tight horn section of The American Symphony of Soul, a 9-piece Boston-based funk band, and The A-Train Orchestra, his own blues and jazz group based out of Boston’s North Shore.

Carl Gerhard – Trumpet
Carl “Geerz” Gerhard is a Basking Ridge, New Jersey native. He recently finished a 30-yr career in the U.S. Navy Band, first as a performer, and ultimately, as Director and Conductor. He has led Navy Bands in the United States, Europe and the Far East, performed in over 20 countries, and has also conducted both the Tokyo Symphony and Boston Pops orchestras multiple times. As a trumpeter, he has toured and recorded extensively with the iconic rock band Phish as an original member of The Giant Country Horns. Laying down his roots now in New England, Carl’s pure melodic style, infectious energy, and love of the blues can be heard every time Roomful of Blues takes the stage!