Roomful of Blues - Vine & Vibes Summer Concert Series

The Band

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. Their 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 2024.

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 1⁄2 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 J*il...” -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 nine 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), 45 Live (2013) and In A Roomful

of Blues (2020) 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!

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